Welcome To The Mystick Krewe Of Louisianians Inc. Washington D.C. Mardi Gras Ball

With 100 years of Mardi Gras history in their Louisiana heritage, it was inevitable that those displaced Louisianians living in our nation's capital would want to bring the celebration to their new home where there was a thriving Louisiana State Society of 400 members.

It almost happened as early as 1938, but didn't. Senator John Overton telegraphed Louisiana Governor R.W Leche, after all arrangements had been made, that the Society had changed its mind. Why? Perhaps because it was the end of Depression days, or because the war in Europe was heating up, or perhaps politics played a role. The real reason remains a mystery.

The idea never entirely disappeared even during the dreary days of World War II, which managed to darken Mardi Gras in New Orleans. In 1943, C.J. Bourg, Society president, announced that a "surprise demonstration of the spirit of Mardi Gras" would be introduced at the Society's social on George Washington's birthday. Bourg and Lt. Col. Leonce Legendre of New Orleans were the inspiration for the February 1944 Mardi Gras ball for exiled Louisianians who flocked to the Statler Hotel masked in carnival style. Ensign Hale Boggs portrayed George Washington while Miss Rupert Perry of Monroe, a member of the staff of Rep. Charles McKenzie, was Martha.

The queen was Mollie Gaumer, a member of Senator John Overton's staff. Legendre was to be king, but had to be replaced at the last moment due to illness. Legendre was a large man, but F. Edward Hebert, a member of the Louisiana Congressional delegation, fit the costume. Thus, by default, Hebert became the first Washington Mardi Gras Ball king.

Among the revelers at the first ball were Felix "Dan" Broussard and his wife, Kathryn. Broussard, a life insurance salesman from Lafayette, Louisiana, was merely a spectator that night, but by the time the next ball came around in 1946, Broussard was in charge of entertainment. He recalled later for a newspaper reporter how his 30-year involvement with the ball began.

"The night of that first ball was the night I got into trouble. I got up and said it would be a great chance to bring the culture of Louisiana to Washington. That night they put me in charge of the future balls," said Broussard.

There was no ball in 1945 due to the war effort, but 1946 saw a revival. Broussard ran the pageant, which attracted several hundred party goers to the Wardman Park Hotel. The theme for the ball was "The Four Spirits of Early Louisiana History," and the evening was ruled by King Hale Boggs and Queen Corrine Waterman Morrison, the wife of the mayor-elect of New Orleans, de Lesseps "Chep" Morrison.

Despite the success of the '44 and '46 balls, the follow-ing year saw no revelry in Washington due to Bourg's sudden retirement as Society president. Broussard, who would become president of the Society in 1949, began planning immediately for a ball in 1948. Broussard approached Louisiana Congressman Henry Larcade from Opelousas with the idea of inviting Louisiana festival queens to the ball. Larcade's hometown festival, the Yambilee, had just spent money to invite the reigning Miss America to its celebration, so why couldn't money be found to send Louisiana queens to Washington? Larcade liked the idea, money was raised and in 1948 six Louisiana festival queens were presented. Today over 25 Louisiana festivals proudly send their queens to Washington.

By 1950 media attention given the ball was growing. The budding television audience nationwide caught a glimpse of the pageantry of the ball when John Cameron Swayze brought his Camel Caravan to the ball's dress rehearsal at the Statler Hotel. Footage from the rehearsal ran on the NBC evening news.

International conflict again brought an end to Mardi Gras revelry in 1951 and 1952, but the ball was revived in 1953.

The revived ball made several leaps forward in 1953. Broussard, now Society president, needed a plan to finance the ball, so he approached Louisiana Congressman F. Edward Hebert with an idea. If Hebert would find contributors and subsidize any shortfall the ball experienced, Hebert could be "chairman" and choose the ball's theme, king and queen. Hebert agreed to the deal, but Broussard had one caveat - he wanted to pick the queen. Hebert quibbled but gave in to Broussard's persistence. Broussard named Hebert's 16-year-old daughter, Dawn, queen, and the two men shook hands on the deal. With that handshake the ball's chairman was born. As long as the Society was sponsor of the ball, the chairman was selected by the Society from the Louisiana Congressional delegation. Today the chairman is selected by members of the Louisiana delegation from among themselves.

At the '53 ball, the royal court, along with members of the tableau, were thrilled by the presence of CBS' own Walter Cronkite, who served as narrator, and Vice President Richard Nixon, who presented the queen. The attendance of such prestigious personalities was evidence that the ball was on its way. The following year Chief Justice Earl Warren crowned the queen while 900 guests looked on.

The year 1957 marked the beginning of "the Russell Long era." Senator Long brought new ideas, some well received and some not, to the ball and helped expand it to the three-day celebration it has become. He had an almost child-like enthusiasm for Mardi Gras coupled with his innate politician's knack for putting together groups of people who could bring his ideas to life.

One of the most memorable Long stories involves the creation of the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians. As chairman of the 1957 ball, he decided it was time to shake things up. The ball had progressed as a formal pageant with a traditional tableau and a few call-out dances, but Long was itching to bring some New Orleans excitement to the evening. Long believed the ball needed the exuberance and financial support of a krewe to sustain it through the coming years, but the Society and the Louisiana delegation were opposed. The issue came to a vote and the outcome was nine to one against. After the vote, Long and his administrative assistant Bob Hunter conferred in the hallway.

"Well, how do you think it went?" Long asked Hunter. "It carried," Hunter replied.

Hunter knew that there was an unwritten rule among the Members of the Delegation that the Chairman of the Ball had the right to be a majority of one if he insisted. Bob knew that Russell Long had his heart set on putting a Krewe in the Ball, and Bob was willing to do most of the work which would be necessary if Senator Long was going to be an active Senator and a Ball Chairman all at the same time.

So, with no more endorsement than that, Long created the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians. The '57 krewe of 40 members included such political luminaries as Barry Goldwater, Frank Church, Estes Kefauver, Hubert Humphrey and admirals, generals and influential businessmen who entered near the end of the pageant, tossed beads to the guests and navigated a series of call-out dances. The ball's first float appeared that night to the sounds of Dixieland jazz from "The Famous Door Five" from Bourbon Street in New Orleans. As if that were not enough, Long invited and once again secured Vice President Richard Nixon to escort the queen.

The Long era was marked by extravagant ball decorations (See Chapter 8) and the inclusion of more and more revelers from Louisiana. The State Society of Louisiana was still the official sponsor of the ball, which was run out of the home of Dan and Kathryn Broussard, while the krewe's affairs were run by Bob Hunter. Long wielded a great deal of power and on more than one occasion asked for things the Society didn't like. Broussard, a powerful man in his own right, went head to head with Long. Broussard's son, Joe, and Long's administrative assistant, Hunter, were often called upon to mediate between the two powerhouses.

Long's decision in 1975 to move the ball from the Sheraton Park Hotel to the Hilton sent shock waves through the ball's supporters. The ball had been held at the Hilton in 1970, but had quickly returned to the Sheraton. Long wanted to return it to the Hilton and even with the vote against him, he proceeded with his plan.

It was again Long's turn to be Chairman of the Ball and Long was determined to move away from the Sheraton Park, because the largest ballroom there had so many tables at the same floor level as the pageant that occupants of those participating tables could not see the dance floor during the pageant. The many essential fire exits precluded elevating enough tables to overcome the problem.

By contrast, the main ballroom at the Hilton was designed in an oval shape with room for two rows of tables on a level 18 inches above the dance floor. At a cost of about $25,000, it would be possible to build and install enough platforms for tables so that about 80 percent of the guests could see the dance floor even without standing. The remaining 20 percent of guests, by standing up, could also have a view of the program.

Long felt sure that after everyone had become familiar with the advantages of the more modern Hilton facilities, few, if anyone, would want to go back to the Sheraton again.

Sure enough, the 1975 ball was smaller and more crowded. By this time the elder Broussard had retired, and his son, Joe, was president of the Society. Broussard consulted with Earl Hargrove Jr., namesake of a Washington decorating and convention firm, which had been hired by Dan Broussard since 1954 to handle ball decorations (See Chapter 8). Hargrove suggested that a theater-style seating arrangement, similar to inaugural balls, be used at the Hilton. Broussard measured the ballroom and created a plan, which was unveiled by Broussard at a luncheon meeting at the Rotunda Restaurant on Capital Hill with Long and Hunter.

The new seating arrangement accommodated 3,000 and created a majority of front-row reserved boxes facing an oval-shaped, racetrack-style dance floor. The plan was given the thumbs up by Long. It went into effect in 1977 and is still used today, with some modifications, to seat 2,500.

The Hilton recognizes the Washington Mardi Gras Ball as one of its major annual events, and one the staff looks forward to. The hotel actually receives calls from staff at other hotels who want to work Mardi Gras week at the Hilton, future dates permitting. The hotel is filled to overflowing during the celebration and its 1,000 rooms are booked well in advance as 90 percent of the ball's constituents now come from Louisiana rather than the Washington area.

In 1977 the Washington Mardi Gras Association was formed as the ball's sponsoring organization, which lasted until 1981. That year the Mystick Krewe of Louisianians was incorporated as a non-profit organization and continues as the official sponsor of the ball. The ball is completely self-sustaining with costs covered by the sale of tickets, corporate donations and krewe memberships. The event is not supported by any state or federal funds.

What began as a "demonstration of the spirit of Mardi Gras" has grown into a celebration of Louisiana, its politics and its people.

Past Chairmen and Presenters

Year
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948/49/50
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

Chairman
Clarence Bourg
No Ball Held
Clarence Bourg
No Ball Held
Felix M. Broussard
No Ball Held
No Ball Held
F. Edward Hebert
Edwin E. Willis
T.A. Thompson
James H. Morrison
Russell B. Long
Hale Boggs
Allen J. Ellender
Harold B. McSween
Edwin E. Willis
T.A. Thompson
James H. Morrison
Gillis W. Long
Joe D. Waggonner, Jr.
F. Edward Hebert
Russell B. Long
Hale Boggs
Edwin W. Edwards
Russell B. Long
Speedy O. Long
F. Edward Hebert
Joe D. Waggonner, Jr.
Gillis W. Long
J. Bennett Johnston
Russell B. Long
John B. Breaux
Joe D. Waggonner, Jr.
Lindv (Mrs. Hale) Boggs
W. Henson Moore
Jerry Huckaby
Bob Livingston
J. Bennett Johnston
Gillis W. Long
Billy Tauzin
Russell B. Long
Charles E. "Buddy" Roemer
John B. Breaux
Billv Tauzin
J. Bennett Johnston
Richard H. Baker
Bob Livingston
William Jennings Jefferson
Jimmy Hayes
Billy Tauzin
J. Bennett Johnston
John B. Breaux
William Jennings Jefferson
Jim McCrery
Billy Tauzin
Chris John
Mary L. Landrieu
John B. Breaux
Jim McCrery
William Jefferson
No Ball Held
David Vitter
Charlie Melancon
Rodney Alexander
Charles W. Boustany, JR. , MD

Presenter

Richard Nixon, Vice President of the U.S.
Earl Warren, Chief Justice of the U.S.
Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Admiral Arthur W. Radford, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Richard Nixon, Vice President of the U.S.
Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Lyndon B. Johnson, Senior U.S. Senator
James H. Davis, Governor of Louisiana
Herve Alphand, French Ambassador to the U.S.
John B. Fournet, Chief Justice of Louisiana Supreme Court
John McCormack, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Douglas Dillon, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
John McKeithen, Governor of Louisiana
John McKeithen, Governor of Louisiana
Hubert Humphrey, Vice President of the U.S.
Orville L. Freeman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Clifford Hardin, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
Spiro Agnew, Vice President of the U.S.
Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, USN, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Melvin R. Laird, Secretary of Defense
Dr. Guillermo Savilla Sacasa, Nicaraguan Ambassador to the U.S.
Gerald A. Regan, Premier of Nova Scotia
J. Bennett Johnston, Senator of Louisiana
Jacques Kosciusko-Morizet, French Ambassador to the U.S.
Edwin W. Edwards, Governor of Louisiana
E.R. Campbell, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Pioneer Bank & Trust
Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr., Speaker of the House
David C. Treen, Governor of Louisiana
George Bush, Vice President of the U.S.
General Robert H. Barrow, Commandant U.S.M.C.
J. Bennett Johnston, Senator of Louisiana
General P.X. Kelley, Commandant U.S.M.C.
Jerry Huckaby, Louisiana Congressman
W. Henson Moore, Louisiana Congressman
Charles E. "Buddy" Roemer, Louisiana
Congressman John B. Breaux, Senator of Louisiana
Billy Tauzin, Louisiana Congressman
J. Bennett Johnston, Senator of Louisiana
Richard H. Baker, Louisiana Congressman
Bob Livingston, Louisiana Congressman
William Jennings Jefferson, Louisiana Congressman
Jimmy Hayes, Louisiana Congressman
Billy Tauzin, Louisiana Congressman
J. Bennett Johnston, Senator of Louisiana
John B. Breaux, Senator of Louisiana
William Jennings Jefferson, Louisiana Congressman
Jim McCrery, Louisiana Congressman
Billy Tauzin, Louisiana Congressman
Chris John, Louisiana Congressman
Mary L. Landrieu, Senator of Louisiana
John B. Breaux, Senator of Louisiana
Jim McCrery Congressman
William Jefferson Congressman
(Hurricanes Katrina & Rita)
Senator David Vitter
Charlie Melancon Congressman
Rodney Alexander Congressman
Charles W. Boustany, JR. , MD Congressman

Royal Courts of Other Years

Year 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010	King Hon. F. Edward Hebert No Ball Held Hon. Hale Boggs No Ball Held Paul Wooten Joseph Robichaux Hon. Otto E. Passman (No Ball Held, A/C Korean War) (No Ball Held, A/C Korean War) Hon. James A. Noe Lawrence C. Levert, Jr. Harry C. Chalkley Wm. L. "Buddie" Billups Parrish Fuller First King of the Mystick Krewe Solon B. Turman Julian C. Miller Vertrees Young G.M. "Jake" Anderson Voris King Kevin Patrick Reilly Harvey Peltier Edward H. Jackson George W. DeFranceaux Jamar William Adcock Henry Zack Carter Andrew Moresi Capt. J.W. Clark Dr. Clarence A. Lorin Harry J. Batt Gordon H. Lambert Thomas E. Powell William H. LeBlanc, Jr. Doyle G. Berry Charles R. Milam Dalton J. Woods Otto B. Candies James H. Boyce, Sr. Charles E. Brown John Joseph Graham Jake L. Netterville Crawford A. Bishop Marion D. Edwards William Heard Wright, Jr. E.R. "Bo" Campbell, Jr. Willis W. Noland Tom Benson James M. Cain Joseph C. Canizaro Donald "Boysie" Bollinger Tevor George Bryan George Rodrigue Theodore "Ted" L. Jones Claude "Buddy" Leach James Michael "Hutch" Hutchison James C. Smith E.R. "Bo" Campbell Herschel L. Abbott, Jr. James C. Flores Arthur Quentin Davis Christopher E. Cenac, M.D. William A. Oliver Richard Zuschlag No Ball Held Donald T. "Boysie" Bollinger D. Wayne Elmore Roy O. Martin III William H. Fenstermaker	Queen Miss Mollie Gaumer Mrs. deLesseps C. Morrison Miss Mary Francis Bourg Miss Elaine Herring Miss Margie Gauthier Miss Dawn Marie Hebert Miss Jo Ann Elder Miss Alice Gay Soileau Miss Lee Anna Martino Miss Barbara Boggs Miss Barbara Denechaud Miss Linda Guidry Miss Corinne Claiborne Boggs Miss Rita Katherine Long Miss Rebekah Jo Hannie Miss Maurine Perez Miss Elizabeth M. Bolton Miss Elise Wheless Miss Carol Ann Childress Miss Pamela Rust Long Miss Rebecca Ann McKeithen Miss Victoria Elaine Edwards Mrs. Emily Elizabeth Peevey Miss Nancy Jane Riley Miss Barbara Bait Miss Melanie Alden Roemer Miss Janis Catherine Long Miss Hollis Farling Bright Miss Althea Marie Guste Miss Bridget Marianne Edwar Miss Claire Campbell Seymour Miss Elizabeth Stafford Boggs Mrs. Mary Margaret Turner Svendson Miss Mary Lyon Johnston Miss Linda Jean Randall Miss Sarah Lee Johnston Miss Nancy Myke Easterling Miss Michelle Lynn Huckaby Miss Jennifer Lee Moore Miss Caroline Elizabeth Roem Miss Elizabeth Andre Breaux Miss Kristie Rene Tauzin Miss Mary Jane Ann Brittain Miss Julie Kristen Baker Miss Sushan Alicia Livingston Miss Jamila Efuru Jefferson Miss Courtenay Cate Graham Miss Sarah Louise Cenac Miss Amy Elizabeth Chouest Miss Julia A. Breaux Miss Jalila Eshe Jefferson Miss Christy Diane Hicks Miss Erin Elizabeth Zuschlag Miss Heather Michelle Sturlese Miss Jelani Faizah Jefferson Miss Nancy Alison Lupin Miss Meredith Frances Allen Miss Nailah Anan Jefferson (Hurricanes Katrina & Rita) Miss Elizabeth Claire Chance Miss Autumn Nicole Armentor Miss Laura Kathryn Martin Dayna Elizabeth Haynie

Honored Industries & Ball Themes of the Past

1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967

1968

1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981

Louisiana Purchase -150th Anniversary
Sugar Cane Industry
Rice Industry
Oil Industry
Forest Products Industry (Initial Appearance of the Krewe)
Waterways Industries
Sweet Potato Industry
Paper Industries
Oil and Gas Industries
Lovely Louisiana
Advertising Industry
The Space Age - Saturn Rocket
Banking in Growing Louisiana
Way Down Yonder in New Orleans
285th Anniversary of LaSalle's Claiming of Louisiana for France
(Introduction of the Doubloon 6 Ducal)
250th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of New
Orleans
Rice Industry
Mariners of History
Natchitoches-Louisiana's Oldest Settlement
Stand Up For America
All The Americas
Louisiana's French Heritage
Louisiana: Land of Plenty
The Spirit of'76
Louisiana Naturally
Louisiana Nationally
Rivers, Rhythm, and Romance
Louisiana - Americans All
A Love Affair With Louisiana

1982
1983
1984
1985
1986.
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003

2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010

Louisiana and All That Jazz
Louisiana-'Where the Fun Begins
Louisiana - A Fountain of Life
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler
A Taste of Louisiana
Louisiana - Still the One
Old Man River
Louisiana Lagniappe
Louisiana -A Rainbow of Resources
Louisiana - We're Hot Stuff
joie de Vie
Louisiane, Nous Avons Connu des Fleuves
A Portrait of Louisiana
Treasures of the Bayou
Auld Lang Sync
Fifty Golden Years
Louisiana: Land of Diverse Treasures
Rollin' on the Red
Millennium Magic Is Calling
Fait En Louisiana
Louisiana, A Jewel in the Delta
The Louisiana Purchase:
Une Bonne Affaire for 200 Years
Romance And Roses On The Red
Louisiana - Abundant Links
No Ball Held
There's No Place Like Home
Lagniappe Of The Bayou - From Andouille To Zydeco
Sunshine On The Delta
Energy Louisiana Style

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