Barras to serve as Bayou Mardi Gras Parade Grand Marshal
Published 6:00 am Wednesday, January 23, 2019
- State Rep. Taylor Barras, fifth from left, has been chosen as the Bayou Mardi Gras Association Parade Grand Marshal this year. From left are association Board Member Pat Norris, Musson Patout Vice President Bart Romero, Arceneaux Ford General Manager Kristie McMath Hebert, Bayou Mardi Gras Association Board Member Beau Beaullieu. Back row left to right: Bayou Mardi Gras Board Member Mike Wattigny, Arceneaux Ford Sales Manager Travis McMath, Parade Grand Marshal Representative Taylor Barras, and Bayou Mardi Gras Association Board Member Wess Robison.
The Bayou Mardi Gras Association has announced both the marshals and sponsors for this year’s event.
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Serving as the Grand Marshal of the 2019 parade will be Louisiana State Representative and Speaker of the House Taylor Barras. Barras joins the ranks of previous Grand Marshals who are recognized for their contribution to Iberia Parish.
According to a prepared statement, the first Grand Marshals were Andy Soileau and David Wormser, who were instrumental in planning and organizing the Andalusia Parade in years past.
The 2018 parade Grand Marshal was former Gov. Kathleen Blanco.
The statement said Barras was chosen as Grand Marshal by the Bayou Mardi Gras Association for his many contributions to Iberia Parish. Barras was elected to the State House of Representatives in 2007 and elected House Speaker in 2016 by his colleagues.
Prior to his career in politics, Barras was influential in many community service projects, including being involved in establishing the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce Leadership Iberia program and serving as Captain of the Krewe of Andalusia.
“Our board is delighted that Speaker Barras has agreed to allow us to recognize him for his
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dedication to Iberia Parish, Acadiana and the State of Louisiana,” Bayou Mardi Gras Association Beau Beaullieu said.
“He is known as the ultimate gentleman at the capital, and if you have had even one brief conversation with him, you know that he is one of the nicest and most sincere people you will ever meet. He is the definitive ambassador of our awesome community”.
Sponsors for this year’s parade include the City of New Iberia and both Arceneaux Ford and
Musson Patout Automotive Group. The two New Iberia automotive dealerships have partnered together to keep the parade rolling. The partnership is a testament to the dedication of both companies commitment to the community.
Both Arceneaux Ford and Musson Patout Automotive will provide the vehicles and drivers who will pull parade floats.
“Having these two competing dealerships recognize the positive impact of the parade and agree to work together is a strong statement about our community,” Bayou Mardi Gras Association President Pat Norris said. “We appreciate Arceneaux Ford’s and Musson Patout’s support for the parade and all they do for our Iberia Parish.”
The third annual Bayou Mardi Gras Association Parade will roll through the historic Downtown New Iberia on Feb. 9 beginning at 6 p.m. The parade will start at the Main and Ann streets intersection, cross the Jefferson Street bridge, travel down Front Street and finish in City Park.
