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RESERVE — The Krewe of Tohwahpahsah rolled through the streets of Reserve on Saturday following its roughly 40-year-old traditions.

 

This year’s parade lived up to the dreams of Lawrence “Noonie” Triche, who was inspired to start a parade in Reserve for the community to enjoy without having to bring their families to the city.

 

Decades later, Triche’s daughters continue to organize the parade each year in memory of their father. While insurance regulations have changed through the years and organizers have put in the effort to make the parade bigger and better, Krewe of Tohwahpahsah remains true to its roots by bringing the community together with affordable, family-oriented fun.

 

This year’s parade rolled through Reserve on Saturday.

 

The familiar parade route travels through West Fourth Street, Annex, Railroad Avenue, West Third, West Second and West First before turning onto River Road. From there, the floats travel down West Eighth and West 10^th streets before returning to the starting point at Reserve Bantam.

 

Some individuals have been riding in Krewe of Tohwahpahsah nearly as long as the parade has been rolling. Each year, a king and a queen are announced to the public about an hour before the start of the parade to honor longtime participants who have embraced the community tradition for many years.  This year’s Tohwahpahsah Royalty was King Glenn Contreras and Queen Sherry Mollere.

 

The parade was graced with beautiful weather and a good crowd.

 

Throws included not only beads and cups, but also bags of candy, stuffed animals, wind-up toys, beach balls and hula hoops.

 

“Tohwahpahsah” is a French phrase translating to “You don’t see that,” but organizers are more focused on what they do see on the parade route. The most treasured sights include generations of family gathered together in front yards as children decked in Mardi Gras beads wave to the floats passing by.

“Year after year, I see the parade grow,” Frances Triche Sullivan, president of the Krewe of Tohwahpahsah nonprofit said. “Families come together and gather together. It’s definitely a parade that makes you feel at home and at ease.”

Next year will be the 40^th year and plans are to make it the best one yet.

For more information, contact Sullivan at 225-417-9677, vice president Melanie Landeche Stein at 985-536-6110, or treasurer Nikki T. LeBouef at 985-703-2212. Information can also be obtained by emailing tohwahpahsah@yahoo.com, and registration forms/fees can submitted by mail to Krewe of Tohwahpahsah Parade, 715 North Ezidore Gramercy, LA 70052.

Updates and information on fundraisers can be found by following the Krewe of Tohwahpahsah Facebook page.

 

— Brooke R. Cantrelle contributed to this report.