Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne holds 16th annual ball with ‘Derby’ theme

The Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne held its 16th annual ball at seven-thirty in the evening on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Lafayette.
The theme of the ball was “Talk Derby to Me”.
Reigning over the festivities were Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne’s King XVI, Nathan Granger, and Queen XVI, Hannah Granger.
King Nathan is a lifelong resident and small horse farm owner of Vermilion Parish. He is the son of Steve and Deanna Granger and has two siblings, Eric of Casper, Wyoming, and Monica Granger Calvert of Lafayette, Louisiana. He has been married to Dana Langlinais Granger for 33 years and together they have five children; Mason, 24, Hannah, 22, Regan 16, John Eric 11, and Ross, forever 19. Nathan is a 1986 graduate of Erath High School and a 1990 and 1997 graduate of the University of Louisiana. He is a member of the Louisiana Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Breeders Associations and a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. Nathan is also a newly elected board member of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Nathan is a president and founding partner in Energy Management Company. He has been involved in the oil and gas industry for 33 years. His hobbies include horse breeding, horse raising and horse racing.
Queen Hannah Claire Granger is the daughter of Nathan and Dana Granger. She graduated from Erath High School in 2019 where she was involved in Student Council, various athletics, and was the 2018 EHS Homecoming Queen. She attended UL Lafayette where she obtained a degree in Elementary Education. During her college years, she became a distinguished member of Kappa Delta Sorority and served on Council and various boards. She also volunteered for the LIFE program, where she mentored UL students with special needs. After graduating this past May, she became employed with the Lafayette Parish School System where she works as a fourth grade teacher at Broadmoor Elementary. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
King Nathan & Queen Hannah wore handmade train and mantels. The central piece of the trains included the G & G Farms logo. The theme, “Talk Derby to Me” was displayed across the top of each train. The crown and fleur de lis appliques were repurposed from the trains of King and Queen Vermilion VI, Stephan Langlinais and Bethany Langlinais Harris, father-in-law and sister-in-law of King Nathan, grandfather and godmother of Queen Hannah. They were created by the late Juliette Langlinais and were included in her memory. The trains were bordered by vibrant red roses, symbolizing the Run for the Roses, as the Kentucky Derby is known to horse racing fans.
Presenting the night’s program was emcee, Gerald Broussard. Ball attendees were treated to a fun evening of entertainment as the Royal Court performed skits based around the Kentucky Derby theme.
The opening scene invited the crowd to “Get Down and Derby” and have a great time. Guests were enlightened about the rich history and traditions of the Derby, and the opening act featured the 2024 court at the auction bidding throughout the crowd.
The emcee talked about the Kentucky Bourbon and distilleries and how people like to indulge while visiting the Derby. The Kentucky Buffalo Trace Bar skit featured Britlyn Duplantis, Alex Granger, Michelle Caldwell, Sonya Couvillion, Cory Duplantis, and David Touchet performing to “Whiskey for my Men, Beer for my Horses” and the “Devil Went Down to Georgia”.
The Derby theme continued on as the Krewe’s Horse Trainers prepared the horses for the race. Performing to “White Horse” and “Dark Horse” were Mikel Toups, Jon Stevens, Ellen Hebert, Pierre Hebert, Shawnee Hebert, Angelle Broussard, Kyle Collins, Mike Touchet, Kristin Vincent, and Claire Broussard.
The crowd was then introduced to the Derby Jockeys who performed an entertaining skit for the crowd. The Krewe Jockeys included King Nathan Granger, Steven Caldwell, Eric Toups, John Eric Granger, and Al Mendoza.
Hat shopping is a necessary part of the fun of the Kentucky Derby for men and women alike. The Krewe’s Hat Shoppers wowed the crowd with their performance to Shania’s “Man! I feel like a Woman” and “Whose Bed Have your Boots Been Under”. Hat shoppers included Queen Hannah Granger, and court members Regan Granger, Skye Collins, Theresa Touchet, Amelie Caillouet, and Camille Floyd.
In true Derby fashion, the evening’s guests watched “celebrities” walk the red carpet as they arrived at the Derby. Court Members participating in the Celebrity Siting skit included Laurie Hulin, Michelle Hargroder, Matt Hebert, and Roslyn White, along with several local “celebrities” who were in the crowd including past Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne Kings and Queens and local elected officials.
As the race was beginning, people began placing their bets on their favorite horse in hopes of winning. Court Members who placed bets included Allison Domingues, Dewey Domingues, Danielle Calvert, Dana Granger, Rebecca Bares, Stephen Bares, Monica Calvert, Keith Calvert, Regina Caillouet, and Will Caillouet.
The finale of the evening took place as the jockeys lined up for the race and the announcer exclaimed, “And they’re off”. The crowd went wild as John Eric crossed the finish line first. Krewe de la Renaissance King and Queen entered the ballroom to present the Derby winner with his garland of roses. The 2024 King & Queen took their place as King & Queen XVI of Krewe de la Renaissance Acadienne. Carrying out the transition of power was last year’s King & Queen, Matt Hebert and Michelle Hargroder. After the 2024 King & Queen were officially presented, members of the Royal Court, the Krewe’s Board, the Krewe’s past Kings & Queens, and all guests joined in for a toast. All royalty paraded through the ballroom to “All I do is Win” and threw beads and trinkets to the attending guests. Concluding the evening was live entertainment by Three Thirty Seven and the attendees had a great time getting Down and Derby.