Krewe of Roux to roll in Mardi Gras parade

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The student-organized Krewe of Roux parade will roll on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20.

The parade has been a Mardi Gras tradition for more than 25 years.

UL Lafayette students, organizations, departments, faculty and staff can enter the parade. Cars, trucks and walkers are allowed, but floats are prohibited.

The deadline to register a vehicle is by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

The parade route will begin on Rex Street, in front of Griffin Hall. The Krewe of Roux will travel down Rex Street toward St. Mary Boulevard, turn right onto St. Mary, then left onto Hebrard Boulevard. The parade will end at Vermilion Hall.

“It lasts about 20 minutes. It’s short, sweet and fun,” said Michelle Bernard, program advisor for the University Program Council, which sponsors the parade.

Participants will toss a variety of “throws,”, such as Mardi Gras beads and plastic cups, she added.

The king and the queen of the 2014 Krewe of Roux will be chosen at 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb.  13 in the breezeway at Vermilion Hall. Each duke and maid will be given a piece of king cake.

“Whichever duke and maid has a piece containing the small plastic baby will be crowned king and queen,” Bernard said.

A celebration that will include Mardi Gras music and refreshments will be held immediately after the parade in the breezeway at Vermilion Hall.

Krewe of Roux royalty is selected by student organizations and clubs, which can nominate one male and one female member.

University students and staff, as well as the general public, are invited to watch the parade. Glass containers and alcohol are prohibited.

For more information, contact the UPC office at (337) 482-6936 or visit upc.louisiana.edu/events-traditions/krewe-roux