FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2022
2022 Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Royalty Announced
(Opelousas, LA) – The Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Association is pleased to announce the 2022 Imperial Mardi Gras Royalty this year are Queen Lily, III, Vera Nagy, and King Imperial, III, Jason Huguet. The King and Queen will be formally presented at the Imperial Mardi Gras Ball scheduled for Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Delta Grand Theatre in Opelousas. The year’s theme for the ball is ‘Light it Up.’
Jason Huget is the owner and executive Chef of the Steamboat Warehouse Restaurant in Washington, Louisiana. He first began working there as bus boy in 1994 before attending The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute where he graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Culinary Arts. Over the years, Jason has won numerous awards in cooking competitions. In 2012, he received the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s highest honor, when he was named “Restauranteur of the Year.” Jason is a co-host of the television program ‘What’s Cookin’ aired locally on KDCG TV. Over the years, Jason has given his time and talents to countless community causes and events which includes the annual Gumbo Foundation’s Gumbo Cook-Off and the Opelousas Cerebral Palsy’s annual Breakfast with Santa.
Vera Nagy has been a licensed cosmetologist and instructor for over 30 years and has received accolades from agencies such as the Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology, Louisiana Association of Cosmetology Schools, St. Martin Parish Professional Development Organization and the State of Louisiana Barber Examiners. Vera has continued to refine her skills through continuing her education by first obtaining her Master’s License and now by pursuing her Doctorate through the Louisiana State Beauticians and Barbers Association Educational Institution.
In 2005, Vera became the first woman to receive the Chamber of Commerce “Entrepreneur of the Year” award. In 2009, she helped to start a technical barbering school and program in St. Martin Parish working with local and state education agencies. A strong supporter of downtown Opelousas, Vera began buying and rehabbing commercial properties in Opelousas nearly 30 years ago.
Along with the Mardi Gras Ball, the Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled to roll on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 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 2022 Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Ball or the Mardi Gras Parade, contact Robbie Sebastien at 337-948-4367 or follow Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras page 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.
