(Opelousas, LA) – The Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Association is pleased to announce the 2023 Imperial Mardi Gras Ball is scheduled for Saturday, February 4th at the Delta Grand Theatre in Opelousas. Royalty this year are Queen Lily, IV, Judge Ledricka Johnson Thierry, and King Imperial, IV, Jacob Jarrell. The year’s ball theme is ‘Imperial Goes to the Movies.’
King Imperial Jacob L. Jarrell was born and raised in Opelousas, Louisiana, and continues to call the city his home. Jacob is a 4th generation co-owner of Opelousas-based civil engineering and land surveying firm, Morgan Goudeau and Associates. He gained invaluable experience working on the MGA survey crew during high school summers and made the decision to return to the family business after college graduation. Jacob attended Opelousas Catholic School from PreK-12th grade, where he was very active in campus life and athletics throughout his school years. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and minor in Land Surveying.
Jacob and his wife Erin have three children, Carter (10), William (4) and Adeline (2). He currently serves as President of the Opelousas Catholic School Athletic Council, is an active parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas, and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Louisiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors. Jacob is also an active participant in a local ACTS retreat team. Jacob is a proud family man, avid duck hunter and LSU sports fan.
Queen Lily IV Judge Ledricka Johnson Thierry was recently sworn in as Appellate Court Judge. Prior to her new role, t, Thierry served as Judge for the 27th Judicial District Court, having been elected to the seat in November 2020. A native of Lebeau, Louisiana, Thierry graduated from North Central High School and received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, with a concentration in English, from Southern University in Baton Rouge. In 2003, she acquired her Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center and in 2004, opened a law office.
She served six years in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016 and was the first woman elected to serve as State Representative for District 40. The same year she was elected to the Louisiana Legislature, she started her independent insurance agency, selling personal and commercial lines of insurance. Thierry also began a partnership with the IRS, where she helped establish free tax preparation service for the residents of St. Landry Parish. For her 15 years of this service, she has received several honors, including a public service award from the U.S. Department of Treasury.
In 2016, inspired by her 10-year-old daughter Madison, who has autism, Thierry opened Madison Health Center, which helps children with mental health challenges. Thierry has received numerous awards for her service work and has also been featured on CNN News. Thierry serves on the Pastor’s Advisory Council of Holy Ghost Catholic Church and is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Louisiana District Judges Association, and the Louisiana Judicial Council/NBA. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. Thierry is married to Travis Thierry and they have three children: Madison (13), Carter (8) and Liam (4).
Along with the Mardi Gras Ball, the Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled to roll on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at 11 a.m. in downtown Opelousas. The parade, which is organized by the Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Association, will feature floats, colorful beads, and reigning royalty. In conjunction with the parade, the Mystic Krewe of Fur Babies, which hosts a parade for dogs, will take place just prior to the parade.
For information about the 2023 Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Ball or the Mardi Gras Parade, contact Robbie Sebastien at 337-948-4367 or follow Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras on Facebook.
The Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras movement is an effort to rejuvenate the original Imperial Mardi Gras, held deep in the heart of past splendor of Opelousas events, playing on the nostalgia and class of years gone by. The group behind this resurgence is comprised of several community members with heartfelt commitment to Opelousas, who are working to revive festivities that promote culture, food, music, and all that characteristic of who we are, with fun options for all ages, while also working to help connect existing events for a continual celebration of Mardi Gras traditions.
