Krewe de Carnivale’ celebrated
the 20th anniversary
of their founding in grand
and glorious style at the Lake
Charles Civic Center’s Exhibition
Hall on February 1. The
Krewe chose Aquatic Adventure
as the theme for their
annual Mardi Gras megaparty.
The event is a costumeoptional
ball with guests and
members alike transforming
themselves into characters
portraying all things both
above and under the sea.
Guests entered through a
kaleidoscopic, seaside-themed
chamber into the ballroom
decorated as an underwater
fantasy coral reef. Members
and guests were dressed in
elegant attire as well as elaborate
costumes depicting a wide
array of characters.
Ball Captain Rex Ratcliff
served as the Master of Ceremonies
as he signaled the start
of the Krewe’s Second Line
procession into the ballroom.
The introduction of Royalty
kicked off the evening with the
presentation of the King and
Queen of Krewe de Carnivale’
2020, Christopher Allen
and Wendie Upson portraying
King and Queen of Carnivale’,
The Supreme Sovereigns of
the Seas. The Captain then offered
a traditional toast to the
members and guests.
Captain Rex Ratcliff was
born in DeQuincy, raised in
Mountain Home, Arkansas,
and has lived in Sulphur
for the past 30 years. He is
the son of the Unita Ratcliff
and the late Richard Ratcliff
and currently works as
onsite office personnel for
Top Deck, Inc.
King Christopher (Chris)
Allen was born and raised
in Sulphur. He graduated
from Sulphur High School
and attended McNeese State
University. Chris is the
owner of Paradise Florist in
Lake Charles and is proud
Poppa to a rescue schnauzer
mix pup, “Special Eddie,”
who is a faithful companion
and shop mascot.
Queen Wendie Bettcher
Upson is a charter member
of Krewe de Carnivale’. She
taught in the Houston Independent
24 • MARDI GRAS SOUTHWEST • FEBRUARY 24, 2020
School District and at
Holy Spirit Episcopal School,
and owned Apple Polish
Tutorial before moving from
Houston to Carlyss with her
husband Richard Upson. After
23 years in Louisiana, Wendie
moved to Rockdale, Texas,
where she co-owned Elements
at Main Boutique, Texas.
The Captain, along with
the King and Queen, would
like to thank everyone who
helped to make the evening
2020 King and Queen
of Krewe de Carnivale’
Christopher Allen
and Wendie Upson
so memorable.
Krewe de Carnivale’ has two
traditions unique to the area.
First is the bead toss, where
Krewe members take to the
stage several times during the
evening to electrify the party
crowd by tossing beads and
trinkets to chants of, “Throw
me something, Mister!” The
other tradition is to cap off
the evening with the napkin
toss, where guests are invited
to pitch thousands of paper
napkins in the air while the
disco classic “Love is in the
Air” plays on.
Krewe de Carnivale’ was
established in 2000 by a group
of friends that wanted to celebrate
Mardi Gras in a slightly
different manner, emphasizing
the fun, enjoyable and carefree
elements of previously attended
celebrations.
Captain Rex Ratliff
bl