Go inside the 'Mystical Vacation' of the Krewe of Centaur's Grand Bal | Maggie Martin
Circle of flames! Confetti! Flashing lights! Columns of smoke! A Massive fast-paced light show "painted" by a projector on the walls of Shreveport Convention Center!
What a spectacle for Krewe Centaur Grand Bal XXXII "Join us on a Mystical Vacation!"
The tableau did not disappoint! However, the stars of this show were the court members: King XXXII Kole Caston and Queen XXXII Kelly Dick.
Dukes and Duchesses: Fantasy Richard Pool and Brittney Pool; Frolic Jeremy Weese and Kelcie Ross; Fun Jack Collier and Destiny Collier; and Food Alan Ringle and Michele Ringle.
Princes: Kaden Wallace, Northwood High School, son of Kane and Melissa Wallace and Shine and Misty Saunders; Braylan Bridges, Haughton High School, son of Brandon and Jessica Bridges and Brianna Johnson; Trace Ivins, Benton High School, son of Alex and Dana Ivins; Landon LeVasseur, Northwood High School, son of Blake and Ashley LeVasseur; Tucker Melton, Haughton High School, son of Russell and Amy Melton; and Devin Brice, C.E. Byrd High School, son of Melissa Hillman.
Princesses: Hayden DeBroeck, Loyola College Prep, daughter of Chris and Stephanie DeBroeck; Savannah Ardoin, C.E. Byrd High School, daughter of Nick and Elizabeth Ardoin and Alicia Ardoin; Kyndall Johnson, Huntington High School, daughter of Fredrick and Stacey Johnson; Molly Kavanagh, Loyola College Prep, daughter of Jackson and Brandie Blair and Dr. Scott Kavanaugh; Elle Dart, Loyola College Prep, daughter of Stacy and Amee Dart; Logan Shadow, Calvary Baptist Academy, daughter of Brian and Kelly Shadow.
In the middle of it all: Centaur Captain XIX Ricky Bridges.
What an evening it was for Visit Shreveport-Bossier Tourism Chief Stacy Brown.
She took center stage when introduced as Parade Grand Marshal for the Krewe's Feb. 3 "Centaur Rolls on Parade." There are many reasons to hail Brown. Through the years, she has been a cheerleader for Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex, recognized for bringing travel writers from around the country here for the festivities.
Stand out among a long list of sponsors: Centric Pipe which presented Grand Bal XXXII and was featured on the program's centerfold with a salutation from the company to the king: "Congratulations to our very own King Centaur XXXII, Kole Caston!"
Applause, too, for long-time Centaur member 2011 Queen Antoinette Gardener, for Captain Ricky presented her the Captain's Award for work well done for the krewe.
Grand Ball Dots & Dashes:
... The outstanding program featured a ferocious "Mystical Animal" flying off a cliff on the cover.
... Princess DeBroeck is an athlete, who is also a published poet. She is on the Loyola College Prep Flyers volleyball and track teams and has qualified for district regional and state track meets in pole vaulting.
... Princess Dart is on Loyola's track team and Princess Kavanaugh is a varsity starting defensive player for the Byrd Lacrosse Team.
... Prince Brice fishes for Byrd Fishing Team of which he is a team member.
... In notes to "friends and family" given out at the ball, Captain Ricky discussed confetti: pointing out that the purpose of confetti is to shower the crowd with it. However, he pointed out, "You don't want it in your drink! ... You can fold this paper to cover your cup to keep your drink confetti-free."
... As always, it is difficult to say "goodbye," but the popular King XXXI Danny Lowery and Queen XXXI Tina Tomasek did so with aplomb and graciousness when presented a final time.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Go inside the 'Mystical Vacation' of the Krewe of Centaur's Grand Bal