We Had a Ball in Algiers!

Can you believe that Mardi Gras is right around the corner?  The Christmas decorations are not even tucked back into their boxes yet, and the Carnival season has begun. Mardi Gras 2008 is February 5th (quite early!) and the balls have begun taking place all around the city.

 

Last night, the Krewe of Choctaw held it’s 25th annual Big Pow Wow at Mardi Gras World in Algiers, LA.  While most krewes hold balls, Choctaw, with its Native American theme, holds a Pow Wow, complete with Chief, Princess, Medicine Man, Maids and Maidens, Indian Braves and Papooses.

 

Mardi Gras World provides the perfect venue for a Carnival event…it comes predecorated with huge props and full size floats!  Traditional purple, green and gold banners hung from the ceiling, while the Choctaw tribal teepee provided the grand entrance for the royalty and court of the krewe.

 

The afternoon was spent in preparation for the nights event…decorating tables, meeting caterers, accepting flower deliveries and, of course, the rehearsal for the tableau.

 

 

A frenzy of activity followed the rehearsal, as court members began donning  makeup and their elaborate costumes in preparation for their introduction to the waiting crowd of over 450 people.  As a proud mom, I couldn’t resist including this picture of my daughters, who were both maids this year!

The presentation of the court and royalty began at 8 pm.  At the end of the presentation, all previous Choctaw royalty were invited to the stage for a champagne toast to the reigning Chief (Frank Ruiz Jr.) and his Princess (Jina Ellingburg).  How fantastic to see so many long time members continue the Mardi Gras tradition, standing with glasses held high!

 

 

 

The tableau was followed by dining and dancing to both a band and DJ until the wee hours of the morning.  Beautifully decorated tables competed for prizes and the umbrella decorating contest judges had a hard time choosing from the many entries as they second lined through the ballroom. 

From the opening notes of the National Anthem to the final sounds of the last dance, it was an incredible, fun filled evening.  To everyone who worked so hard to make this a success, a heartfelt thanks from the Captain and his family to you.  Happy Mardi Gras from the Heindels!