Krewe of Tchefuncte names court, rolls Feb. 22

The Krewe of Tchefuncte is setting sail for it’s 36th year of reveling on the river with it’s theme, “The Krewe of Tchefuncte Strolls Down World Famous Streets.”

Ball Captain Iris Vacante said the organization, sponsored by the Greater Madisonville Area Chamber of Commerce, is ready to reveal it’s Queen and the royal court.

Erin Merhl Hicks, a former student of Madisonville Elementary, Madisonville Junior High and Mandeville High will reign as queen. Hicks is a student at Alabama Southern Community College where she earned a scholarship for softball and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. She will attend the University of Alabama in the fall where she will pursue a degree in radiological sciences.

Hicks was a pitcher for Mandeville High and for the 2005 and 2007 Madisonville Youth Boosters State Championship Team which advanced to the World Series.

She is the daughter of Rodney and Lori Hicks. She is the granddaughter of Robert and Jackie Hamer of Terrytown and Robert and Karin Hicks of Madisonville.

Her majesty will be accompanied by the royal maids.

They are: Brittany Lynn Bush is the daughter of Richard and Florence Bush of Madisonville and the granddaughter of Richard Bush Sr. She is a junior at Mandeville High School where she is a member of the Lady Skippers softball team. She was also a member of the 2007 World Series Softball Championship team.

Brandy Lynn Bourque is the daughter of Paul and Lynn Bourque of Madisonville and the granddaughter of Brenda Bourque and Dorothy and Ben Moise. She is a junior at Mandeville High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Skipper Band.

She is planning to attend the University of Louisiana in Lafayette to pursue a career as a meteorologist.

Erica Lynn Krebbs is the daughter of Matthew and Michelle Krebbs of Madisonville and the granddaughter of Lawrence and Kathy Mikeska. She is a sophomore at Covington High School where she is a member of the Foreign Language Club, the Covington High Marching Lions Band and the Symphonic Band. She is also a member of the Talented Theatre and the Next Generation Club. She has studied dance for 10 years.

Kimberly Elaine Pecoraro is the daughter of Leon and Cindy Pecoraro of Madisonville and the granddaughter of Jerry and Barbara Fletcher of Metairie. She is a sophomore at Mandeville High School where she is a member of the student council and the varsity and junior varsity Lady Skippers softball team. She is a member of the 2007 World Series Championship softball team.

Nicole Iris Mehaffey is the daughter of Michael and Debbi Mehaffey of Madisonville and the granddaughter of Bob and Joanne Mehaffey and Jim and Jan Truett. She is also the great-granddaughter of Adrienne Engel of Madisonville. She is a sophomore at Mandeville High School where she is on the Honor Roll and a member of the Art Club. She participated in People to People’s Summer of 08’s clean up in New York City.

Jennifer Megan Pennington is the daughter of Blake and Marie Pennington of Madisonville and the granddaughter Buddy and Brenda Pennington and Pat and Gayle Stephens. She is the great granddaughter of Anita McDanell. She is a sophomore at Covington High where she is a member of the junior varsity cheerleading squad, the Lady lions junior varsity softball team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the student council.

Also serving in the royal court will be the royal pages.

Grant Michael Vicknair is the son of Kevin and Jill Vicknair of Madisonville and the grandson of Ed and Ruby Vicknair and Walter and Judy Stenhouse. Grant is a student at Cedarwood School where he has received the “Awesome Attitude Award.”

Brock Alexander Adams is the son of Wade and Brenda Adams of Madisonville and the grandson of Wayne and Jennie Adams, Claude and Vicki Marengo and the great grandson of Warren and Mildred Adams. He is a student at Madisonville Elementary.

Elizabeth Ann Fruge’ is the daughter of Allen and Bonnie Fruge’ and the granddaughter of Margaret Chatellier Davis. She is a first grade student at Kehoe-France Northshore and a member of Brownie Troop 1401 and the Northshore Dance Academy.

Margaret Francis Blanton is the daughter of Kenny and Beth Blanton and the granddaughter of Margaret Davis and Carol Blanton. She is a 3rd grade student at Madisonville Elementary and a member of the 7/8-year-old Madisonville Basketball Championship Team.

King of the Krewe of Tchefuncte is Chris Hitzman. Chris Hitzman was born in Metairie. He graduated from Belle Chasse High School and attended Tulane University. He is currently studying Biblical studies with Liberty University.

Hitzman is married to Sherry Hitzman. He is the proud father of three children. His 12-year-old son Brenden attends Northlake Christian School. His middle daughter, Nadia, 5, is homeschooled. His youngest, Alia, is 2-years-old.

Hitzman emceed the Krewe of Tchefuncte in 2006 and soon came to realize what an honor the Kings role holds in the Town of Madisonville and the amount of work that goes into the preparation of the ball and parade.

“I am very appreciative of being entrusted with such a great responsibility and bestowing upon me such a wonderful honor,” he said.

The theme will be carried out in the royal maids dresses and trains during the ball and the boats on parade day.

Represented in the theme are famous streets of Broadway in New York, Beale Street in Memphis, Sunset Blvd in Hollywood, Lombard Street in San Francisco, Avenue des Champs Elysees in Paris and Bourbon Street.

Also assisting with the ball will be Cindy Pecoraro, co-captain, Michelle Lunsford, royal designer and Dawn Whitecotton, royal photographer

Kirk Smith will serve as the Parade Marshall and will be assisted by Gail Perry, Colleen Collier-Fields and Walter Mlynarski. Kenny McWilliams is president of the Krewe of Tchefuncte.

Music at the ball will be provided by Jubilation.

The Krewe of Tchefuncte is still accepting applications from boat owners who would like to participate in the upcoming Mardi Gras boat parade set to float down the Tchefuncte River past Madisonville Town Hall at 2 p.m. Feb. 22.

Boaters may choose their theme from Bourbon Street, Broadway (New York), Beale Street, (Memphis, Tenn.), Sunset Boulevard (Hollywood), Lombard Street (San Francisco) and Avenue des Champs Elyees (Paris).

Three judges will choose the best decorated floats and will award plaques for first, second and third place winners.

The boats/floats will make the 2 p.m. bride opening, parade south, make a wide turn south of Marina Del Ray and parade back northward where the floats will dock both north and south of the bridge.

No throws will be allowed until the boats are securely docked, however, when docking is complete, spectators can expect to be showered with beads, doubloons and all kinds of trinkets.

The Krewe of Tchefuncte was organized 36 years ago after a group of boaters came up with the idea as they were gathered around a picnic table at the old Mier’s Marina.

Those interested in joining the parade can call Collier at 845-4317 for an application.