By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE – The 2005 Carnival season is in full swing, with events already under way across three parishes, with more to come. The climax arrives with parades on Feb. 5-6, with parades in LaPlace, Reserve, Luling and Des Allemands. One parade is set on Mardi Gras, Feb. 8, in Lutcher/Gramercy.

The following are highlights of the various courts, balls and parades to come. –

Krewe of Towahpahsah –

The 20th annual Krewe of Towahpahsah rolls on Feb. 5 at 1 p.m., along the traditional route in Reserve. Its king and queen, according to organizer Lawrence Triche Sr., always remains secret until the parade itself.

Plans now call for 35-40 units, including floats, festival queens, marching bands and dance school squads.

Krewe Du Monde –

The 31st annual Krewe Du Monde rolls on Feb. 6 at 2 p.m., through the streets of LaPlace, according to chairman Donald Mince of the LaPlace Lions Club.

The parade commences at Airline Highway and Main Street, proceeds along Main to West Fifth, where it makes a right turn. It follows West Fifth and turns right at Hemlock Drive and Carrollwood Drive, turns right at Greenwood Drive, left at Madewood Drive and left at Fairway Drive, ending at Fairway and Belle Terre Boulevard.

Eighteen floats and several dance troups are due to perform.

Krewe of Allovus –

Krewe of Allovus celebrates its 40th year in 2005. Queen is Rachel Lynn Vicknair, daughter of Robin and Jane Vicknair of LaPlace. The King is yet to be announced.

Queen Allovus Rachel Lynn Vicknair was announced Jan. 9 at the Queen’s Tea. She has been active with LARAYO sports and activities for many years and is the daughter of Robin and Jane Vicknair of LaPlace.

Rachel is a recent graduate of the University of New Orleans with a degree in exercise physiology. She is a general manager and trainer for Curves and is a second-year squad member of the New Orleans Voodoo Dolls.

Also announced were Maid Amanda Miller, daughter of Timothy and Lynne Miller of Montz; Maid Paige Braud, daughter of Michael and Patricia Braud of LaPlace; Maid Bridget Boe, daughter of Gary and Fege Boe of LaPlace; Maid Jamie Jones, daughter of Wayne and Joann Jones of LaPlace.

The public Allovus social is set Jan. 16 at Riverlands Country Club, from 1-4 p.m., and is open to the public. The Allovus Ball is set Jan. 29 at 7 p.m., at St. Charles Catholic High School.

Krewe of Lul –

The 28th annual Krewe of Lul King and Queen are Frank and Marion Pizzolato of Hahnville and Grand Marshal is Miss Teen USA Shelly Hennig of Destrehan. The ball is set Jan. 29 at 7 p.m., at Esperanza Ballroom in Luling. The parade is set Feb. 5 at 1 p.m.

Krewe of Des Allemands –

The Krewe of Des Allemands King and Queen are Edward and Elodie Tregle and Grand Marshals are Peggy P. Madere and Sherry C. Heurtin for this krewe, established in 1959. The ball is set Jan. 21, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., at the Father Mac Center at St. Gertrude Catholic Church, Des Allemands. The parade is Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.

Krewe of Save De Children

The eighth annual Krewe Save De Children is set on Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. The theme is “What’s Your Favorite Cartoon?” Deadline to join the parade is Jan. 23. Appications are available from Aaron or LaVerne Gordon at (225) 869-8696.

St. Charles Catholic High School –

The Krewe de Charles XIX plans their Bal Masque on Jan. 15 in the school auditorium. Tickets are $8 each and may be purchased at the school.

Reigning as King Napoleon is Rustin Paul Steib, the son of Rusty and Gail Steib of Reserve. Page to His Majesty is Jordan Martin Jensen, son of Paul and Michelle Jensen of LaPlace.

Reigning as Queen Josephine is Jenna Janett Gaudet, the daughter of Daria Gaudet of LaPlace, and the late Russell Gaudet Jr. Page to Her Majesty is Madeleine Marie Murphy, daughter of Michael and Giselle Murphy of LaPlace.

Members of the Royal Court include –

Duke of Loire Valley Adam Charles Faucheaux, son of Charles and Therese Faucheux of Luling; and his Maid, Angelle Theresa Cupit, daughter of Andrew and Helena Cupit of LaPlace.

Duke of Burgundy Brennan Michael Millet, son of Ricky and Janelle Millet of Grand Point, and his Maid, Brittnay Lynn Marse, daughter of Nolan and Mary Ann Marse of Paulina.

Duke of Brittany Jake Michael Boudreaux, son of Mike and Linda Boudreaux of LaPlace, and his Maid, Crystal Dawn Metcalf, daughter of Charles and Robin Metcalf of LaPlace.

Duke of Provence Steven Joseph Richard, son of Terry and Patrice Richard of Reserve, and his Maid, Erin Elizabeth Triche, daughter of Douglas and Bertha Triche of Reserve.

Duke of Champagne Cody Ryan Chauppetta, son of Ronald and Deborah Chauppeta of LaPlace, and his Maid, Lauren Elizabeth Englade, daughter of David Englade and Mary Ryan of LaPlace.

Duke of Alsace-Lorraine Cory Michael Calcagno, son of Craig and Mary Calcagno of Gramercy, and his Maid, Sadie Lynn Luminais, daughter of Toby and Dionne Luminais of Lutcher.

Duke of Ile de France David Charles Rollo, son of Michael and Mary Rollo of LaPlace, and his Maid, Christine Nicole Metcalf, daughter of Charles and Robin Metcalf of LaPlace.

Duke of Rhone Valley Jesse Christopher Martin, son of Mark and Raynette Martin of LaPlace, and his Maid, Jeanne Elise Coleman, daughter of Jeffrey and Yvette Coleman of LaPlace.

St. Joan of Arc Catholic School –

Krewe Jeanne d’Arc Junior Court will be presented Jan. 21, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. in the FLC gym. The ball is open to the public. The “After the Ball Gala” will be held in the Dupont Pero Building in Reserve. The Gala ends at midnight. Entrance to the gala is by invitation only.

Junior Court King and Queen are Lane Gendron and Meredith Keating. Junior Court Prince and Princess are Jordan Soileau and Megan Vicknair. Dukes and Maids of the Junior Court are: Matthew Suarez and Rebecca Firmin; Jacob Templet and Gracie Millet; Justin Smith and Gabrielle Levet; Austin Rauschuber and Kelsey Roussel; Alex Rome and Emma Richard; Parker Rauschuber and Victoria Tabor; John Waldron and Destiny Sellars; and Jonathan Perret and Paige Rauschuber.

Krewe Jeanne d’Arc Senior Court will be presented on Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the FLC gym. The ball is open to the public. The “After the Ball Gala” will be held in the gym until 1 a.m. Entrance to the gala is by invitation only.

Senior Court King and Queen are Matthew Murphy and Sarah Klibert. Senior Court Prince and Princess are John Trosclair and Noelle Hanley. Dukes and Maids of the Senior are: Dylan Klibert and Kellie Brady; Kyle Vicknair and Ashley Barraco; Corey Alonzo and Kaila Klibert; Pierre St. Martin and Chelsey Hymel; Mathew Harris and Rachel Rodriguez; Christopher Tregre and Katelyn Ory; Jordan Dorsey and Erin Rogers; Lloyd Kerlec and Megan Vollenweider; David Hochstein and Shelby Wildes; Matthew Autin and Kayla Zehner; Travis Simmons and Carly Trepagnier; Ethan Daigle and Jennifer Broussard; Cody Robichaux and Michaela Weaver; Stephen Lane and Juliana Wagner; Ethan Rome and Mariana Jauregui.

Riverside Academy –

Krewe Bord de L’eau’s theme is “Music of the Seventies.” Junior court ball is Jan. 21 and senior court ball is Jan. 22. Both begin at 7 p.m.

The Krewe Bord de L’eau Senior Court includes –

King Rebel XXV Timothy Paul Badeaux Jr. and Queen Dixie XXV Courtney Ann Simon, Prince Cavin Ray Richmond and Princess Jenna Marie St. Amant, Duke Jordan Paul Poirrier and Maid Lauren Ashley Hendricks, Duke Matthew Aaron Rogers and Maid Kelli Anne Millet, Duke Kody Lawrence Vicknair and Maide Daphne Michele Zimmer, Duke Jacques Pierre Levet Jr. and Maid Stacie Louise Campiere, Duke Joshua Paul Labiche and Maid Hannah Christine Levin. Pages are Mia Mechelle Dufresne and Cheyenna Layne Triche.

The Junior Court includes –

Junior King Rebel XXVI Benn David Plaisance and Junior Queen Dixie XXVI Jamie Lyn Landeche, Prince Austin Paul Millet and Princess Morgan Elizabeth Bleakley, Duke Kendall Ray Bush and Maid Abbey Leigh Dale. Pages are Janice Alyse Bourgeois and Courtney Michelle Curtis.