The occasion for merriment, promenades and royally good fun has come once again to the Port Arthur Civic Center.

The Majestic Krewe of Aurora hosted its 25^th Annual Grand Ball Saturday at the Bob Bowers Civic Center Saturday night. The event, a privilege for MKA members and sponsors, serves as the exit of reigning Aurora King and Queen and the coronation of the new year’s royalty.

This year’s king and queen are Amy and Jason Hinds.

They replace Krissy and Dana Melancon.

The ceremony is known as the tableau.

“The tableau is the presentation of royalty, the crowning of the new King and Queen,” Childress said.

The royalty is determined by luck of the draw, so no one knew who the new couple would be — except for maybe Lady Luck herself.

“It’s the anticipation of it,” Childress said. “That’s part of the fun.”

The Aurora Krewe is the founding Krewe of Mardi Gras Southeast Texas and the Ball is a tradition of Mardi Gras. Each year the Krewe holds a celebration with its members.

“It’s festive, fun and exciting. It’s celebrating the season,” Childress said.

This year’s ball was much the same as the balls in years prior, with a mixture of black tie formality alongside a fun, festive atmosphere of dancing.

In discussing its history, Childress explained that two gentlemen were getting together with friends in casual conversation one day. They wanted to do a fundraiser and economic development for the area. So, they made a plan to put it together that involved nonprofit organizations that could provide seed money.

That was when the Aurora Krewe was first established in 1992, along with Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas. The Krewe held its first ball in 1993.

“It’s one of the highlights of the year for everyone and for Southeast Texas,” Childress said, pointing out the guests and acts that come to enjoy themselves.

Childress estimated there are 1,000 people who regularly attend the Ball.

Mardi Gras mainstay and MKA Ball Captain Cynthia Hinds is a fixture of the Aurora Ball and all-around event organizer.

Aside from making sure that everything for the big event goes smoothly, Hinds said her duties as Ball Captain include “just about everything.”

From designing and creating costumes to planning, Hinds has been with the Krewe for 21 years.

“Once you do it, you get hooked on it,” Hinds said. “I’ve made lifelong friends through this.”

One of the most important features of designing the Ball, according to Hines, comes from its theme for the year. For the Aurora Ball’s 25^th year, they decided to return to its roots and make it divine.

“We decided to make it over Aurora, the founding goddess of the Krewe,” Hinds said. “She’s the goddess of the dawn; and, for this festival, she’s celebrating with her friends.”

That celebration was key as members and sponsors all converged at the civic center to mingle, dance and, most importantly, to have fun.