Mardi Gras 2018: ‘The show must go on’
Published 12:16 pm Monday, February 5, 2018
- 2018 King and Queen Aurora Ricky Hollier and Jerrilynn Miller take a celebratory walk on the dance floor at the 26th annual Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Ball Saturday night in the Beaumont Civic Center. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
By Lorenzo Salinas
The Aurora Lights put on a dance performance before the “Music & Memories” tableau at the 26th annual Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Ball. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
Drunken revelries, jubilant attractions and droves of festive partygoers were the norm in Beaumont the week before Mardi Gras — all to commemorate the new royalty for the year.
Aurora Royalty Tom Broussard hands out some beads to a lucky onlooker at the 26th annual Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Ball. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
Many gathered Saturday night at the Beaumont Civic Center to celebrate the 26th annual 2018 Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Ball. Dancing, music, drinks and more were had by an impressive attendance despite a change of venue.
The annual event, usually held at the Robert Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur, was changed due to the damages Tropical Storm Harvey inflicted on the Port Arthur Civic Center in August. The building is still under repairs, but that didn’t stop people from having a good time in the Mardi Gras spirit.
Aurora Royalty Vanessa Holmes has some fun with silly string in preparation for Mardi Gras 2018. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
“Your attendance tonight is a statement of your commitment to MKA and Mardi Gras Southeast Texas…” Majestic Krewe of Aurora Captain Larua Childress said in a written statement. “Harvey reminded us of what’s important and just like you, Aurora will move forward and prosper. As they say — the show must go on.”
Aurora Royalty Laci Becker doles out fanciful jewelry at the 26th annual Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Ball Saturday night in the Beaumont Civic Center. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
The 2017 King and Queen Aurora XXV Jason and Amy Hinds conceded the title to the 2018 Aurora Royalty Ricky Hollier and Jerrilynn Miller.
The theme of the 2018 Mardi Gras of Southeast Texas is Music and Memories, and that extended to the Grand Ball and royalty, where everything and everyone was adorned with musical cues from the past and present.
Ball Captain Cynthia Hinds gives out treats under her musical cue of “Show Me How You Burlesque.” (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
The Majestic Krewe of Aurora Royal Court 2018 inspirations were as follows:
- Laura and “Big” Childress as Pinball Wizards
- Cynthia and Kenneth Hinds as Show Me How You Burlesque
- Karla and Gabe Lazano as Moves Like Jagger
- Laci and Brad Becker as 24K Magic
- Brittany and Dustin Yu as Can’t Stop The Feeling
- Vanessa Holmes and Tom Broussard as Pink Cadillac
- Lenzi and Lamar Belcher as Mardi Gras Mambo
- Leslie and Daniel Ruiz as Livin’ La Vida Loca
- Julie and Tim Lucas as Blue Suede Shoes
- Crystal and Roger Ply as Great Balls of Fire
- Jerrilynn Miller and Ricky Hollier as ZZ Top
Aurora Royalty Dustin Yu gives out beads during his run of the convention floor at the 26th annual Majestic Krewe of Aurora Grand Ball Saturday night in the Beaumont Civic Center. (Lorenzo Salinas/The News)
