Here's what you missed at the Krewe of Gemini coronation
Another ball, another year for the festival that was born 35 years ago on a hot August day in a Bossier Chamber of Commerce committee session.
With much hoopla, Gemini King XXXV Roger Lites (The Muffler Man) and Queen Gemini XXXV Betty Amy Reeves (a St Jude supporter) were introduced as Gemini King and Queen 2024 at the glamorous black-tie "Realty and Fantasy" at Sam's Town. They now reign over Krewe Gemini's 35th Mardi Gras festivities.
Horns blew. Light sticks waved. Guests whistled. Stomped their feet. In other words, lots of noise to greet new royals.
Not a bad kick-off for a celebration that was born out of the question, "What can we do to spiff up the economy during the boring first weeks of the New Year?"
"The economy was so bad," remembered committee member Cary Petty, now of Monroe. "Then chamber president Bob Taylor told us we needed some ways to give it a boost. He said, 'We need something exciting.'" Out of the blue Freda Urban, asked: "What about Mardi Gras?'"
Thus, Mardi Gras in the Ark-La-Tex launched and Krewe Gemini was born.
This first public krewe set the standard and inspiration for krewes that followed; 16 today, according to Captain of Captains Paul Lopez, of Ruston. (Locals will recall: There was already a by-invitation-only private krewe, now extinct, so hush-hush that it vehemently refused any kind of attention.)
Early winter's bad economy and boring weeks turned into balls, parades, teas, a mass, mixers and dinner fundraisers for community nonprofits. Mardi fans from all over the United States descend on the area to celebrate and bring money to the local economy for the parades and balls and locals spend money for King Cakes, limo and venue rentals, catered events, tuxedos, glittery party dresses, throws. Mardi Gras brings in money almost year around.
It includes the coronation season like Gemini's glittery bash which introduced the royal court.
Meet the rest of the court
Dukes and Duchesses: Arkansas - Alex Anderson and Amanda Herrington; Louisiana - Cole Guthrie and Mindy Guthrie; Texas - Steven Bailey and Linda Bailey
Princes: Parker Allums, Cameron Jordan, William Smith and Princesses Syndey L. Weir, Julia C. Guthrie and Aubrey L. Weir.
Captain/Charter Member: Tom Wyche
More party notes
King and Queen XXXIV Bob and Bess Elder offered the first toast to Lites and Reeves.
Sue Willis and Ron Cosby received the Dave Michels Award for service to the Krewe.
King Lites' bio notes that he is the 8th of 10 children.
Princesses Weirs are the great-nieces of Queen Gemini XXVI Judy French and the popular late KingGemini XVII Clyde French.
As Duke Guthrie's bio points out, he completed the Texas Ironman in 2013.
Music by popular party band Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs, of Natchitoches, kept the dance floor crammed with revelers.
And "Barbie" had a moment. Wearing hot pink in her honor were such fashion notables as: Krewe Centaur Queen Tracey James, Kathy Zahn, Arielle Kendall led the Barbie parade in their entrance-making dresses.
Who was there?
Partygoers included:
Gemini Charter Members Wyche, Former Captain/King Russ Friedrich and Dr. Marsha Friedrich, Roy and Patsy Braniff, Michelle Baker
Dr. Mike Acurio
Emcee Doug Warner
Bossier City Councilman Jeff Free and Mrs. Free
Kim Hoover
Clayton and Angela Brakeville
Sobek King XX Darryl Lane and Queen XX Tamesha Lane
John and Lynne Manno
Randy James
Chris and Theresa Miller
Winzer and Vivian Andrews
Brad and Sally Graff
Bernie and Don Bitting
Former Queen Rachel Brian
Party Chair Kristie Sheffield
Shawn Gibson
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Meet the new king and queen reigning over Gemini's Mardi Gras fun
