The Krewe of Karencro began as a
Masquerade Dance to benefit the Carencro Boy Scout Troop 143 in
1973. The parents of the scouts did all of the work –
decorating, clean up, making capes and crowns for the King and
Queen, flags, etc. The bartenders and waiters were older scouts
and fathers.
In those days, the King wore a tuxedo with a
royal blue cape and a homemade crown and scepter. The Queen wore
any kind of formal gown she chose. The Krewe members and guests
were in costume or regular clothes.
There was stiff
competition between parents and groups for the best costume.
Much planning and work was done in secret so that no one else
would know what their costume would be.
In 1980, the
Krewe of Karencro was incorporated with six memberships. The
first King and Queen Mardi Gras Ball was held in 1981 at St.
Peter's Church Hall in Carencro. The Masquerade party was still
held a week before the Ball.
During the first years the
King and Queen were kept secret until they were crowned at the
Brunch. In 1987, the Ball was moved from Carencro to the
Holidome in Lafayette.