KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaSWLA Krewes make royal entrance at 2012 Gala

SWLA Krewes make royal entrance at 2012 Gala

Posted: Updated:
By Lee Peck - bio | email

  • More Local NewsLocal

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 8:10 PM EDT2012-05-25 00:10:53 GMT
    Tricia McClelland has been banking with Jeff Davis Bank for seven years and has never had a problem. "They [Jeff Davis Bank] are awesome.... Even to this point, they're good" said McClelland. That was
    Cases of identity theft were traced to a restaurant in Jennings.  Hackers believed to be from overseas, got hold of a list of credit/debit card numbers from the restaurant's Point of Sale terminal and sold those numbers online, jeopardizing residents in the area.

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 7:23 PM EDT2012-05-24 23:23:00 GMT
    Jeremy Lee Brown is currently on trial for the June 2008 murder of his mother Gretta Ellzey, and step father, Benjamin Ellzey. It's day three of the trial, and only one witness has taken the stand today.
    Jeremy Lee Brown is currently on trial for the June 2008 murder of his mother Gretta Ellzey, and step father, Benjamin Ellzey. It's day three of the trial, and only one witness has taken the stand today.  

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 6:39 PM EDT2012-05-24 22:39:24 GMT
    The trial of Amos Maddox came to an abrupt halt this morning when he decided to plead guilty as charged.  Maddox pleaded guilty to attempted first degree murder, aggravated rape, aggravated burglary and
    The trial of Amos Maddox came to an abrupt halt this morning when he decided to plead guilty as charged.

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 4:31 PM EDT2012-05-24 20:31:18 GMT
    BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - A proposal to shorten voting hours on most election days in Louisiana has been revived by a state Senate committee that killed the idea earlier this month. Currently, poll hours
    A proposal to shorten voting hours on most election days in Louisiana has been revived by a state Senate committee that killed the idea earlier this month.

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 3:53 PM EDT2012-05-24 19:53:02 GMT
    Beginning Monday, May 28, 2012, Allied Waste will begin the audit of solid waste containers within the City. Each service location (residential and commercial) should place all containers at the curb
    Beginning Monday, May 28, 2012, Allied Waste will begin the audit of solid waste containers within the City.   

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 12:59 PM EDT2012-05-24 16:59:47 GMT
    Christopher Roshell, 16, of Lake Charles will be tried as an adult for a crime that happened in March. Roshell is charged with carjacking a vehicle, armed robbery, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated
    Christopher Roshell, 16, of Lake Charles, will be tried as an adult for a crime that happened in March. 

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 11:09 AM EDT2012-05-24 15:09:58 GMT
    NEW ORLEANS (AP) - New Orleans' daily newspaper, The Times-Picayune, will switch to publishing three days a week starting in the fall and plans to increase its focus on online news. The 175-year-old paper
    New Orleans' daily newspaper, The Times-Picayune, will switch to publishing three days a week starting in the fall and plans to increase its focus on online news.

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 7:13 AM EDT2012-05-24 11:13:31 GMT
    The man convicted of manslaughter outside a Sulphur strip club will face sentencing on May 23. David Nelson was on trial for punching 19-year-old Chad Heath outside of the Plantation strip club on April
    The man convicted of manslaughter outside a Sulphur strip club was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

  • Thursday, May 24 2012 5:02 AM EDT2012-05-24 09:02:36 GMT
    Development on the Lacassine Rail Loading Facility can finally begin. The Jeff Davis Police Jury awarded the low bid to a local contractor Wednesday, May 23. The low bid was awarded to C. Morvant Construction
    The construction bid for a grading room and sampling facility for the Lacassine high-speed rail loading facility has been awarded to a local contractor. 

  • Wednesday, May 23 2012 11:35 PM EDT2012-05-24 03:35:26 GMT
    There are currently 88 inmates on Louisiana's death row, including two women. All were convicted in a court of law and are going through the appeals process before their time is up. In the last 10 years,
    There are currently 88 inmates on Louisiana's death row, including two women. All were convicted in a court of law and are going through the appeals process before their time is up. But the cost of that process, means fewer killers will end up on death row.
LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -

In a world of feathers and sequins - men become kings and women are crowned queens. Dressing the part, Southwest Louisiana's 2012 Mardi Gras Krewes made their grand entrance at this year's Royal Gala.

"It's been a ride. A lot of fun. I'm ready for tomorrow. Tomorrow is really what it is all about for us. The parade is a blast! So I'm ready for tomorrow to get here," said Shanda Sonnier, Krewe of Chaos Queen.

But before they can parade in the streets it's time to put on their costumes and dance for Southwest Louisiana. Each krewe paraded through the Civic Center Coliseum as they introduced their royal court to the public.

"In costume you are a totally different person. It's like you have freedom to do whatever you want to do. Within reason of course," said David Hamilton, Krewe of Carnival.

"It's been out of this world. So much fun," said Rebecca Carleton, Krewe de Contraband.

"It's a lot of preparation. The costumes are great! Each one of the dresses for the girls was designed a year in advance practically. Very special," explained Mike Carleton, Krewe de Contraband.

A special night indeed. For the Krewe de Classique this year is extra magical.

"It's been wonderful! We've been doing this for 25 years. This is our silver anniversary. It's wonderful. We have a good time," said Nellie Rideaux, Krewe de Classique.

The party doesn't stop. Southwest Louisiana still has another day to let the good times roll.

"There's a big turnout here tonight. It's just exciting. Can't wait for Tuesday and the big parade," said Tracy Beaugh, Krewe of Cosmos Captain.

Copyright 2012 KPLC. All rights reserved.