Majestic Krewe
of Aurora News
SPRING 2015
Can you believe it’s
that time again
Get Ready for a
already? YES, Aurora
needs your votes!
Board of members
serve a 3 year
rotating term and are
elected by your vote.
A ballot is enclosed,
so please take time to
vote, be active, your
opinion matters!
Please return to us in
the enclosed
envelope or email to
[email protected]
and remember all
ballots must be
signed.
We thank to those
who are running for a
position of
responsibility and
hope all members will
show their support
and VOTE !
Mardi
Gras Southeast Texas and the
Krewe of Aurora will be serving up
a “Sweet Soiree” in 2016 and the
best part is that YOU are invited.
Imagine a Royal Court in a
bright array of candy-coated
colors, tossing beads and trinkets
to the sweetest crowd in
Southeast Texas. Candy is dandy
but beads are better!
Ladies dressed in sparkling
confections of satin and lace, and
tuxedo-clad gentlemen with vests
and bows in every color of the
Skittles rainbow will fill the dance
floor as the band plays tunes to
from “Pour Some Sugar on Me” to
“Candy Girl” and MORE! Wanna do
the “Tootsie Roll”, anyone? You
will at this party, and may even
get some Kisses too!
Of course, the fun begins
at the Aurora Grand Ball. From
there, we bring “Sweet Soiree” to
the streets of Port Arthur where
we’ll enjoy for fun-filled days of
Mardi Gras goodness, complete
with cotton-candy, candy apples
and all the fun, friends, food and
music you can imagine. We’ll take
you on a float ride in the Grand
Parade on Saturday and do the
same for the kids of the Krewe
on Sunday. Can’t you just TASTE
the excitement?
There’s only one catch,
and it’s a Life Saver. To be a part
of this particular brand of fun,
you MUST be a member of the
Krewe of Aurora. Know what we
mean, Jelly Bean? Your
application is attached… JOIN US
for “Sweet Soiree” in 2016!
HELLO Aurora and Sponsors. I am pleased to report that the 2015
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas “Safari Pardi” was another fun-filled
event and huge SUCCESS. The coronation of King and Queen Aurora
XXIII, Hill & Marianne Petry, marked the highlight of yet another
incredible Grand Ball, and combined with the pageantry of our
amazing Royal Court, I can only say thank you for your support.
I’d like to extend kudos to Cynthia Hinds, our Ball Captain, for
bringing the wild beauty of the savannah to the Port Arthur Civic
Center and making our Grand Ball a night to remember. With a
creative hand in all things that happen in the ballroom, Cynthia’s love
and dedication for Mardi Gras shines. Rest assured that her plans for
2016 are already well underway and you’re in store for a SWEET
surprise!
Look for “Sweet Soiree 2016” coming up next year as we celebrate
with lots of sugar and spice. What a delight it will be, as Aurora’s
Royal Court of 12 splendidly costumed Dukes and Duchesses present
a confectionary tableau guaranteed to produce a sugar overload!
Following the most delicious ball ever, we’ll proceed to downtown
Port Arthur for 4 fun-filled days of Mardi Gras Southeast Texas - how
sweet it is!
None of this would be possible, of course, without the support of our
sponsors, membership and volunteers. What a gift it is to present our
community with a safe and family friendly festival, and YOU are the
ones who make it happen. My hat is off to all of you!
Mardi Gras Southeast Texas will be held February 4-7, and I look
forward to once again seeing the members of the Krewe of Aurora
take center stage as we bring the party to Port Arthur. And don’t
forget, there is always room for one more in our Krewe. Invite your
family and friends to partake of our “Sweet Soiree” in 2016, there’s
plenty for everyone!
Please stay tuned to our newsletters, emails and website for the latest
of the Krewe of Aurora and Mardi Gras Southeast Texas, you won’t
want to miss a minute of this sweet celebration.
Until then!
, Captain
Calendar of Events
Our First Annual Umbrella
Brigade Parade was SWEET
last year and we’re making
plans for the next one to be
even bigger and better. WE
provide the umbrellas, YOU
provide the bling and the
FUN. Make plans to
participate in 2016! You can
learn more by contacting
The Mardi Gras Store at
409-721-8717.
We’ve Got PARTIES!
It’s always a blast when the members of Aurora
get together, and when we get the opportunity to
celebrate with our fellow Krewes, the FUN factor
enters a whole new stratosphere!
Not only will Krewe of Krewes be hosting the
hugely popular "Bean & Jeans" event but this
year they will introduce an all-new event for
those who just can't wait until next year for more
Mardi Gras fun - we offer "Midway to Mardi Gras"
coming in September 2015.
Look for live music and fun with friends as we
gear up for another amazing evening with the
Krewes (and friends!) of Mardi Gras Southeast
Texas. Details are coming up soon, and as soon
as tickets go on sale we’ll make sure our
members get the heads up to purchase quickly,
as we fully expect another sold-out event.
Put on your dancing shoes and make plans to
join in the fun at Beans and Jeans and Midway to
Mardi Gras!
Aurora’s Got the
Scoop, Do You?
Calling all Mardi Gras lovers. The
Krewe of Aurora is offering a
SWEET deal, won't you join us?
Membership in Aurora offers
perks galore. A fabulous Grand
Ball, a ride atop a float in the
Saturday Grand parade, tickets to
every day of Mardi Gras SETX and
more.
We would also love the opprtunity to
work with your group. Bring us your family,
friends, coworkers, alumni association, or
whomever, we'll make sure you get to
celebrate Mardi Gras together. What could be
more fun?
All you have to do is fill out the attached
application and send it in by fax, phone, email,
or even drop it by the office. We don't want
you to miss a thing.
Don't delay, join Aurora today!
THE MARDI GRAS STORE
GOT BEADS ? WANT BEADS ? WE GOT BEADS !
The Mardi Gras Store is a direct importer from China of all things
purple, green and gold !
(beads, decorations, trinkets, etc)
Our store (your store) is operated by volunteers and Krewe members in
order to keep prices as low as possible and reflect huge discounts
Oh by the way, we also do custom orders, but you have to be thinking
Mardi Gras early to allow plenty of time for your goods to arrive
If you haven’t shopped us you’re missing out !
The Mardi Gras Store
3830 Hwy 365
Port Arthur, TX 77642
Thursday Parade Update
Many have asked what happened to the Courir Du Mardi Gras Parade, which has traditionally been held on
Thursday, opening day of Mardi Gras. Well it did not go away…It only had a name change! The parade was
expanded when Lamar State College Port Arthur joined forces with Mardi Gras and the fun began!
Now it’s not only an old fashion Cajun run, with horses and lowboys, but has floats and participants strolling
down Procter Street -- the end result -- the Lamar State College Port Arthur Parade.
All previous participants were invited along with college students, faculty, sports teams, student council, general
public, etc. to participate, this is a public parade and all are welcome. So invite someone and come join in the
fun Feb. 4, 2016.
The parade leaves from the Carl Parker Multipurpose Center at 6:00 pm, but prior to the parade starting, Lamar
provides entertainment and tailgating in their parking lot. We hope you will join us for the parade and then be
sure to visit the festival grounds for good food & entertainment !
All Hail
King and Queen
Aurora XXIII,
Hill and Marianne Petry!
Lions and tiger and bears OH MY, the
ballroom of the Port Arthur Civic Center was filled
with bedazzled safari animals of every kind last February
as the Krewe of Aurora crowned their newest King and Queen, but
the giraffe was King of the Jungle that night as Duke and Duchess Hill and
Marianne Petry took home the honors and were named King and Queen
Aurora XXIII.
“It was such an unexpected honor” says Marianne “but also an amazing
experience, meeting new people in such a positive environment. We intend to
fulfill the position with the dignity of the Royalty who served before us, and
especially King and Queen Aurora XXII Jimsharon and Cassie Bearden”.
Adds Hill: “Mardi Gras is our favorite holiday. Sharing it with our family and
friends has been very meaningful and it is our hope to share many, many more
good times at Mardi Gras with our loved ones”. Hill and Marianne’s blended
family includes six adult children between them, 3 grandchildren, and 1 very
special beagle named Molly.
The Beaumont residents are especially appreciative of the friendship and
professionalism afforded them by Captain Laura Childress, Ball Captain
Cynthia Hinds
and of course Mrs. Marie, Royal Seamstress for the
Krewe
of Aurora. The couple are big fans of the backstage
crew too, including Frank Yu, Lisa New, Winter
Weldon and Eric Patin. Says Marianne: “I encourage
anyone to join the Royal Court of Aurora and
experience the magic for themselves. It cannot be
described, and I promise you’ll be hooked!”
We wish Hill and Marianne Petry a reign filled
with SWEET memories with the Founding
Krewe of Mardi Gras Southeast Texas,
the Majestic Krewe of Aurora!
Frequently asked Questions & Answers …..
 May I bring my own food? Yes it is appropriate to bring a sandwich tray or snacks. Aurora
does provide light hors d’oeuvres but you’re welcome to bring additional snacks. Food trays
will be on each table this year instead of a buffet.
 Is it a BYOB event? Yes it is – flask, can beer, wine and small coolers, no rolling ice chest.
Please keep aisles open and make sure your cooler fits under the table.
 May I place decorations on my table? Ball and table décor is created according to the
theme, small guest favors and gift bags are appropriate but private decorations should never
overpower or alter Krewe decorations in anyway. Please consult the ball captain if you are
unsure.
 When may bring my decorations? If you need to bring items to the ballroom before the
doors open at 7 pm, the Civic Center will be open from 9 -11 AM on Saturday morning and then
locked so that the production company can complete the finishing details. Please make
arrangements to deliver items between 9 -11 AM, if not bring them with you that evening.
Doors open at 7 pm and tableau begins at 7:45.
 May I purchase a guest ticket? Aurora does not sell guest tickets, we sell memberships at
$150 per person and yes guest memberships are welcome! The name of your guest is
necessary to process the application. Membership includes lots of benefits (see krewe
application for full details) but most important are the ball tickets and float ride which are a
privilege of membership.
 What is the dress code? The Aurora ball is a formal event: black tie, beaded gowns, and
formal dresses. Men should wear a tuxedo – no suits or jeans. Women - long or short
dresses, sequin or beaded gowns are appropriate as long as it’s evening wear.
 May I go backstage to see my friend? Sorry, but unfortunately it’s not allowed. Backstage
policy for royalty is no family, friends or guests are allowed back stage as space is extremely
limited and we are on a strict time schedule. There will be plenty of opportunity after the
tableau for pictures and visiting.
 What is the royalty procession? Mini-floats (carts) are used to parade the Royalty
throughout the Ballroom so that all guests have an up close view of the elaborate costumes
and an opportunity to catch lots of specialty, one of a kind, Aurora throws. For the safety of the
Royalty and Escorts please keep the aisles open during the procession.
 What is the Royalty March Parade? Aurora’s Royalty leads this parade on Saturday, 2/6/16
at 2 PM, downtown inside the grounds. So if you want another chance to support your Krewe
come out early Saturday and catch more Aurora throws and experience the beauty of the
Royalty costumes.
 What is the Umbrella Parade? The Umbrella Parade strolled down Procter Street for the first
time last year. Companies, schools, daycares, krewes, organizations, friends, public, etc. are
all welcome. You may enter by filling out an application (no fee) and MGSET provides you an
umbrella to decorate. The parade is Sunday @ 2 pm 2/7/16 starting at Atlanta Ave and ending
at the main stage for judging. Trophies and cash prize awarded to top entries – All are invited
to join the fun! Visit the website for the application or call 721-8717.

What is the Aurora Kids Parade? On Sunday 2/7/16 we provide a float (managed by Krewe
members) for kids & grandkids (4 – 16 yrs old) of Aurora members (space is limited). If you’re
interested please contact Angie Cook at 409-332-5457 / [email protected].
If you have additional questions or comments please email to [email protected]