Th e Lake Charles Civic Center Coliseum
was transformed into the Big Easy with
Krewe de la Famille celebrating 41 years
with their annual Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday
evening, February 15.
Dale Mann served as Master of Ceremonies,
with George Barbier and Amy Grimes
directing the evening’s Presentation. Guests
entered the New Orleans-decorated setting to
the sounds of Dixieland music, with children,
Charles Miller, Wynn Miller, Will Prejean,
Camille Prejean, Clara Whatley and Evelyn
Whatley welcoming the guests.
Th e US Naval Sea Cadets, Cajun division,
posted the colors and Miss Aubrey Smart
beautifully sang our National Anthem. Mr.
44 • MARDI GRAS SOUTHWEST • FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Kevin Hodge began the merriment and set
the tone of the ball with “Old Man River.” Th e
story of the Mississippi River continued with
the arrival of Famille‘s Riverboat Natchez
and the Riverboat Gambler and his Southern
Belle, Captains Emeritus Anne Gillett
Monlezun and Dr. Lee Joseph Monlezun, Jr.
Th ey greeted their guests attired in magnifi -
cent lime green and black velvet costumes
trimmed in rhinestones. Th ere were magnolias
on the Southern Belle’s gown and large
brimmed hat and feathered collar. Playing
cards garnished the Southern gent’s ensemble
and matching ostrich-plumed collar.
Reigning over the evening were his
Majesty Kirk Alan Pellerin and her Highness
Norma Gay Pellerin of DeRidder. A
Lake Charles native, King Kirk is a graduate
of Barbe High School, McNeese and LSU
School of Banking. He is EVP, President of
the SW Region and Chief Lending Offi cer
of Pedestal Bank of DeRidder. He is on the
board of directors of United Way SWLA,
Th e Beauregard Chamber of Commerce and
is past president of the Vernon Chamber of
Commerce. He also serves on the SWLA Alliance
Foundation Board.
Her Highness Queen Gay is a DeRidder
native and a graduate of DeRidder High,
Northeast La. University and Central Texas
College, Killeen in Nursing. She is a member
of Th e Deridder Women’s League of which
she has the honor of being named “Woman
of the Year,” Th e Jr. Women’s Club, Epsilon
Omicron chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority
and is a semi-retired Registered Nurse. Th eir
Majesties are members of Grace Church of
DeRidder and the parents of three children
and one grandson.
Th eir Majesties were dressed in elaborate
matching white velvet costumes trimmed
with rhinestones, beaded fringe, and sequins.
Th eir enormous crowns matched their large
feather collars. Th ey acknowledged their
guests with matching rhinestone fl eur-delis
scepters. Th eir Royal Attendants were
Masters Kaden Cole Kleinpeter and Hunter
Gage Swearengin and Misses Olivia Beth
Brister and Addison Marie Allen.
Reigning as Duke and Duchess of the
Crescent City Aquarium and the Audubon
Zoo were Mary Dean Jones Sonnier and
2020 King and Queen of Krewe de la Famille
Kirk Alan Pellerin and Norma Gay Pellerin