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The Krewe of Troubadours is one of the most spectacular krewes of Mardi Gras in Lafayette, LA. The members of this krewe have celebrated the carnival of Mardi Gras for about five decades now. Celebrated with the most beautiful and plush costumes, the Krewe of Troubadours is a stunning and a dynamic sight and it would surely be the time of your of life.
Edith Garland Dupre, an English teacher at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, which was earlier known as South Western Louisiana Industrial Institute, suggested the name "Order of the Troubadours". The journey of the Troubadours dates back to the year 1947 when the Quota Club used to present Mardi Gras pageants as directed by Mrs. Gloria Knox. In the year 1952, the Quota Club dissolved but then Mrs. Knox presented a notion to the Lafayette Town House Club stating that the celebrations of Mardi Gras should continue under their guidance. Since St. Valentine's Day in 1953, the Krewe of Troubadours and their monarch Richard have travelled uninterruptedly to win the awe of many thousand spectators. The name to the ruler of the Troubadours, ‘Richard Plantagenet, Coeur de Lion’, was suggested by the novelist Mrs. Frances Parkinson Keyes. "The Song of the Troubadours" was introduced in the year 1954 and was written by Mrs. Annette Bingham.
The entertainment provided by the Krewe of Troubadours remains as family oriented but it is even more spectacular to watch today with the ever growing cast and costumes becoming increasingly lavish. The parade is accompanied with horsemen, orchestra and narration, buglers, jesters, teenage dancers and float riders which make it all the more unique and beautiful! The grand children and the great grand children of many of the original members continue to be the members of the Krewe. The members and the volunteers work throughout the year under Gloria Knox’s vision of “make believe” to produce one of the most fabulous events of the year. She passed away at the age of 102, in 2008. The Order of the Troubadours elects royalty each year as the head of the Krewe.
The Order of the Troubadours Mardi Gras Ball features the royalty elected that year, King Richard Coeur de Lion and Queen Berengaria of Navarre, Lady Edith Plantagenet of Aquitaine, Sir Kenneth, the Knight of the Couchant Leopard and 120 other cast members from all age groups including children. The ball also has about six to eight maids who wear dresses according to the year’s theme and are escorted by the Royal Dukes. Richard Coeur de Lion and Queen Berengaria wear the crowns that are replicas of the crowns worn by the British Sovereigns.
The Order of the Troubadours takes part in two of the parades of Mardi Gras in Lafayette Louisiana. One, the ‘Friday Night Kick-Off Parade’, a multi-krewe parade held on Friday before the Mardi Gras and second, ‘The Children’s Parade’, which includes participants between the age of six and thirteen, held on Saturday.
The membership application for joining the Order of the Troubadours is available over the Internet. A current member of the Troubadours has to sponsor you. The membership is an annual one from April through till September. One does not have to be a state or a local resident to obtain it. The application can be submitted with the required annual dues. All the other necessary information is also available over the Internet.
With such beauty, colours, magnificence, dynamism and perfection, the Krewe of Troubadours is a highly anticipated event. It could provide you with an experience of a lifetime and is surely a must see.
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