Krewe de la Renaissance theme was ‘Festival Palooza’

The Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne held their annual Mardi Gras ball this past Saturday at the Hilton DoubleTree Hotel and Ballroom in Lafayette.
The evening’s theme was Festival Palooza.
Reigning over the events this year is King XV Matthew Joseph Hebert and Queen XV Michelle Hargroder Simon.
King Matthew Hebert is the son of Marcus Hebert and Rachel and Tommy Picard. He is a 1997 graduate of Erath High school and attended UL Lafayette with studies in Environmental and Sustainable Resources. Matt has been employed with Gulf Island Services since 2006 where he currently holds the position of Purchasing Manager.
He has been married to Ellen Hinckley Hebert for 18 years and they reside in Abbeville with their two children Luke and Anna-Claire. Along with being an avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoys volunteering within the community where he currently serves as Vice President of the Erath 4th of July Celebration as well as participating on the boards of various cooking benefits and competitions.
In his spare time, Matt enjoys traveling to support his kids in band and dancing competitions, being outdoors, working with his two Labrador retrievers and spending time with family and friends.
Queen Michelle Hargroder Simon is the daughter of Don and Arlene Hargroder. She was born in Lafayette and moved to Vermilion Parish in 1992 and has been here ever since.
She is a 2000 graduate of Vermilion Catholic High School and attended UL in business management and is a member of Tri Sigma Sorority Alumni. She graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy in 2007. Michelle is currently the COO of Courtesy Automotive Group.
She is a founding member of Fuel Vermilion, served as chair for March of Dimes, served on the Mount Carmel School board for seven years and served on the Board of the National Kidney Foundation, as well as Vermilion Delta Water Fowl and a State Board Member of Coastal Conservation Association.
She continues to volunteer for many other local organizations. She has a daughter, who is her pride and joy, Taegyn, who attends Vermilion Catholic and her better half, Jon Stevens, who she enjoys doing life with.
The ball doors opened at 6:30 p.m. for guests and the performances began at 7 p.m. Guests were greeted by the evening’s host Brian Campbell and the Executive Director at the Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission, Ali Miller.
This year’s theme was Festival Palooza.
Guests were entertained by out of town guests, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” played by Michelle & Steven Caldwell.
The Smiths traveled to the festivals in our area taking a little something with them at each stop.
Their first stop was the Gueydan Duck Festival with court members Gary Guidry, Jacob Landry, Bo Bernard, Kyle Collins, Al Mendoza, Pierre Hebert, and Matt DesOrmeaux.
The Smiths then “moo-ved” on over to the Queen’s hometown of Abbeville, Louisiana for the Cattle Festival where they were entertained by court members Leah Langlinais, Sonya Couvillon, Mikel Toups, Eric Toups, Mike Touchet, Will Caillouet, Jon Stevens, and Taegyn Simon.
After the Cattle Festival, the Smiths rocked the boat at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival where they had a great time with court members Kristen Vincent, Claire Broussard, Hannah Landry, Camille Floyd, and Shawnee Hebert.
Next, the Smiths made their way to the King’s hometown of Erath, for the annual 4th of July Celebration where they had a popping good time!
They ate, drank, danced at the fais do do, and paid tribute to our veterans with court members Skye Collins, Jonelle DesOrmeaux, Hannah Granger, Amelie Caillouet, Camille Floyd, Anna Claire Hebert, Luke Hebert, and Ellen Hebert. The last stop was back in Abbeville for the famous Omelette Celebration featuring court members “Crazy Liz” Schexnayder, Dawn Meehan, Melissa Prejean, Aimee Puhecker, Angelle Broussard, Roslyn White, Laurie Hulin, Shane Langlinais, and Corey Lege.
After the final stop, court members were introduced to the crowd along with Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne Board members and the Krewe’s past Kings & Queens.
The court toasted the newly King & Queen and then processed out into the crowd throwing beads and trinkets to the Mardi Gras Mambo.
The party continued after the presentation and guests were entertained by the live band SOULED OUT.
The King and Queen and members of their court and krewe will be in the Youngsville Parade on Saturday, February 18th.