Two Queens and the Captain passing the baton

The Mystic Krewe of Iberians celebrated its 70th annual pageant and ball Saturday night. Dr. Michael Alvarez, Captain of the Krewe of Iberians, followed the instructions of the previous Captain and founder of the Krewe, the late Preston Broussard, to “keep it fun!” The Krewe of Iberians is New Iberia’s oldest and largest krewe boasting over 315 member couples for a total of 630 individuals. The krewe’s first event was held in 1948.

A highlight of the pageant was the formal presentation of New Iberia’s debutantes to society. These debutantes, who are seniors in high school, are daughters of active members in the Krewe and/or granddaughters of past Kings and Queens. They are by tradition presented in their long white dresses.

The pageant and ball were held in The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Building, as it has been for many years. The theme this year was “The Platinum Anniversary.” The rulers of the ball and pageant were His Majesty, King Antonio, The Platinum King of Mystic Krewe of Iberians. A first this year for Iberians, and probably for many other Mardi Gras krewes, two queens were presented, Their Majesties, Queen Platine and Queen Platina, the 70th Queens of The Mystic Krewe of Iberians. Platine is French for platinum and Platina is Spanish for platinum.

Celebrating 70 years of merriment with its Platinum Anniversary, the history of platinum was presented. Both a chemical element and a precious metal, Antonio de Ulloa first reported on this new metal in 1748. Subsequent scientific investigations eventually led to its many uses today. Like the Royal Court, platinum is highly valuable and rare to find naturally. For the celebration the treasured kings and queens from the past 70 years were presented, accompanied by the platinum musical hits of their decade reign.

As per tradition on an anniversary year, the past kings and queens of Iberians were presented to the krewe. Over 50 previous kings and queens of Iberians were able to attend the event.

Also, during this special evening the Mystic Krewe of Iberians Captain announced his retirement after 22 years. Wess Robison was announced as the new Captain with Parker Templeton serving as Co-Captain. The outgoing Captain presented the incoming Captains with their official whistles.

Following a Grand March, the stage of the Sugar Cane Festival Building was transformed into a massive dance and table area for members only to enjoy the ball portion of the evening.

Mystic Krewe of Iberians Kings & Queens for 70 Years

1948 Mr. Preston J. Broussard*and Mrs. James P. Smith

1949 Mr. Felix P. Broussard* and Mrs. Edwin H. Moore*

1950 Mr. Lloyd G. Porter, Jr.* and Mrs. Abe Daigle*

1951 Korean Conflict, King and Queen unknown, small event at someone’s house

1952 Dr. Gabriel A. Ackal* and Mrs. Andrew Emmer*

1953 Mr. Edwin H. Moore* and Mrs. Michael L. Berry*

1954 Mr. J. Paulin Duhe* and Mrs. W.J. Bernard, Jr.*

1955 Mr. Francis J. Voorhies* and Mrs. James P. Cross*

1956 Mr. Leon J. Minvielle, Sr.* and Mrs. A.C. Bernard, Jr.*

1957 Mr. Robert Mhoon* and Mrs. Robert Lewald

1958 Mr. David Garrison* and Mrs. Coleman Avery*

1959 Mr. Angus B. Cobb, Sr.* and Mrs. J. Wiltz Emmer*

1960 Mr. David Dupuy* and Mrs. Dorville Broussard*

1961 Mr. A.C. Bernard, Jr.* and Mrs. Lawrence Guillot*

1962 Mr. F.L. Jordan* and Mrs. Preston McNeely*

1963 Mr. Leon Minvielle Jr. and Mrs. M. Eddie Nugent*

1964 Mr. Robert Lewald* and Mrs. John A. Landry

1965 Dr. J. Wiltz Emmer* and Mrs. Devall C. King

1966 Mr. Werner Ammann* and Mrs. Norris P. Rader

1967 Mr. Y.T. Toulon* and Mrs. F.L. Jordan*

1968 Mr. Donald L. Delcambre* and Mrs. William Kapsos*

1969 Mr. Frank R. Courts and Miss Barbara E. Porter*

1970 Mr. J. Patout Burns* and Mrs. Edward A. Dauterive, Jr.*

1971 Mr. Gordon S. Brown* and Mrs. Ernest E. Edmunson III

1972 Mr. Wayne West* and Mrs. Gabriel A. Ackal*

1973 Mr. Keith E. Courrege* and Mrs. Harry P. Burchfield

1974 Col. Leonard J. Barrow Jr* and Mrs. J.S. Brown, Jr.*

1975 Dr. Paul A. LeBourgeois*and Mrs. Julie Regard

1976 Dr. Luis Alvarez* and Mrs. Vincent G. Brigante*

1977 Mr. Angus B. Cobb Jr.* and Mrs. Adrienne Duhe

1978 Mr. Daniel L. Regard* and Mrs. Emma Fox

1979 Dr. Edmond A. Lamperez and Mrs. Susie Pharr*

1980 Mr. Dolph Frantz* and Mrs. Adele Forrest

1981 Mr. Alfred T. Ackal and Mrs. Lynette Gosnell

1982 Mr. L. Albert Forrest and Mrs. Charlotte Guinn

1983 Mr. Jack O. Broussard* and Mrs. Charles E. Mayfield

1984 Dr. Burt Bujard and Mrs. Millou Roy

1985 Mr. Mark R. Pharr and Mrs. Stephanie Chapman

1986 Mr. Cecil Broussard and Mrs. Marcelle Hussey 

1987 Mr. S. James Mestayer and Mrs. Rosemary Broussard

1988 Gen. Wiltz T. Segura* and Mrs. Theresa Louviere

1989 Dr. Roland Sylvester and Mrs. Martha Brown

1990 Dr. Edward “Ned” Dauterive and Mrs. Penny White

1991 Mr. Howard Hill* and Mrs. Julie Harris

1992 Mr. Leon J. Minvielle III and Mrs. Jeanette Ackal*

1993 Dr. Michael L. Alvarez and Mrs. Phyllis Richard

1994 Dr. Jose A. Mata and Mrs. Mary Margaret Valls

1995 Mr. Sidney J. Hebert and Mrs. Janie Cousin

1996 Hon. Keith R. J. Comeaux and Mrs. Barbara Feldman

1997 Mr. S. Wayne Peltier and Ms. Carol Alvarez Broussard

1998 Hon. Taylor F. Barras and Mrs. Rachel Inzerella

1999 Mr. Jules “Tony” A. Schwing* and Mrs. Marlene Brown*

2000 Mr. Dan E. Doerle and Mrs. Candi Landry

2001 Dr. Carl M. Ditch and Mrs. Karen Alvarez

2002 Mr. J. Barton Broussard and Mrs. Wiggy Broussard

2003 Mr. Gordon J. Doerle and Mrs. Nancy Simon

2004 Mr. John McKnight and Mrs. Hilda Curry

2005 Mr. Mark T. Musso and Mrs. Martha Girouard

2006 Mr. Raymond Bernard Jr. and Mrs. Jeanne Sinitiere

2007 Dr. George B. Cousin and Ms. Sheila Beyt Molbert

2008 Mr. Rene Simon and Mrs. Susan Musso

2009 Mr. Patrick “Blue” Dauterive and Mrs. Becky Lopez

2010 Dr. Buddy Donaldson and Mrs. Sherry Himel

2011 Mr. Craig Girouard and Mrs. Keri LeBlanc

2012 Mr. Chris Jordan and Mrs. Carolyn Groner

2013 Mr. Parker A. Templeton and Mrs. Jenny Minvielle

2014 Mr. Bo Duhe and Mrs. Scarlet LeBlanc

2015 Mr. Wess A. Robison and Mrs. Bernadette Bender

2016 Mr. Armond K. Schwing and Mrs. Cindy Falterman

* Deceased