The Krewe of Kaa Cee started its Mardi Gras reign in 1952, and five years later, in 1957, the gala Carnival festivity celebrated five years of merriment.
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St. Tammany Farmer March 8, 1957
Krewe of Kaa Cee Traces Five Years of History at Elaborate Carnival Festivity
Mrs. Hebert F. Frederick reigned as Queen and R. N. Salter, Jr.. as King of the sixth annual Carnival Ball of the Krewe of Kaa Cee Monday night at Covington high school when the Krewe brought back memories of past pageants as it recalled its five year history.
The 1957 theme "Carnival of Clowns" proved to be the most colorful and spectacular ever staged when the Krewe members, as rollicking and cavorting clowns in bright, varied costumes, entered pulling the giant figure of a clown by which they playfully lighted a huge firecracker. It exploded to reveal the krewe captain, Maunsell Wilkinson, Jr., gorgeously attiered in a suit of white sequins with long glittering blue cape and headdress of blue and fuchsia plumes.
The entire gymnasium was transformed into a circus "Big Top" with clown faces everywhere and the large figure of a clown on either side of the throne with eyes that sparkled continually.
Immediately preceding the tableau the past kings and queens were introduced as Charles McMurray sang the theme song of each year. Presented were: Royalty of 1952, Mrs. Hubert S. Gallagher and George P. Naquin: 1953, Mrs. John S. Hebert and W. Russell Sharp. Mr. Sharp was represented by Dr. H. E. Gautreaux, since he was unable to appear due to illness; 1954 Mrs. Wilfred Glockner and T. J. Champagne, 1955, Mrs. Daniel S. Berlin and Frank P. Scheuermann; 1956, Mrs. Earl Pechon and Vernon Huval.
The past queens wore very bouffant dresses of brilliant red, all made of brocaded taffeta on similar lines, but not identically. They wore tiny crowns of seed pearls and each carried a scepter. The 1956 queen was in white satin embroidered in silver sequins.
The 1956 maids, all in beautiful white dresses, were next presented. They were Mesdames Melvin Faust, Alton Poncet, John J. Fielding, George P. Naquin, Charles Oalmann. James B. Frederick. Giles P. Pennington and Leon Buras. Jr.
His Royal Highness of 1957, R. N. Salter, Jr., in a glittering suit of sequins with long cape and a headdress of plumes, was presented next, after which the maids of 1957 entered. Each maid was identically attired in a bouffant gown of nylon tulle. but in various colors. The dresses featured a huge ruffle around the neckline, symbolic of a clown, and to complete the costume a large pointed clown's hat was worn,from the point of which fell a long tulle veil of contrasting color and sparkling seqiuns.
The 1957 maids were Mrs. Joseph Caserta, Maid of Joy, who wore purple and fuchsia: Mrs. Richard Schroeder, Maid of Laughter, in gold and purple; Mrs. Louis Marion, Maid of Jugglers, in fuchsia and blue; Mrs. Arnold Strain, Maid of Happiness, in gold and purple; Mrs. George Mire, Jr., Maid of Jesters, in red and green; Mrs. T. J. Champagne, Jr., Maid of Wit, in turquoise and orange: Mrs. Manning Henry, Maid of Comedy, in blue and red; and Mrs. Stanley Bridges, Maid of Gladness, in green and gold. The court jester costumes of the dukes matched the maids in color and each duke carried a jester scepter.
The peak of excitement was climaxed at the presentation of the 1957 Queen, her Royal Highness. Mrs. Hebert F. Frederick, who was escorted by Giles P. Pennington. This gracious and lovely queen was attired in a gown of cloth of gold embellished with purple and fuchsia sequins with a medici collar. The long train was studded with purple and fuchsia sequins, and her headdress was of purple and fuchsia plumes and gold sequins.
Pages to Her Majesty were Mary Katherine Frederick an d Phyllis Hebert, who dressed as ballerinas and wore tiny clown hats.
The 1956 queen was introduced to the king and queen and presented a bouquet of red roses The past queens, when presented received bouquets of white blossoms.
Following the presentation of Mrs. R. N. Salter, mother of the king, and Mrs. Wallace Durel, mother of the queen there was the grand march, after which maskers began dancing. Music for the tableau was furnished by the krewe's orchestra. consisting of Mrs. Eugene Brown. Mrs. H. E. Gautreaux, Al Rau Ronnie Glockner and Ray Wadenpfuhl. Al Ballanco's orchestra' played for the dancing.
