By LEONARD GRAY

Managing Editor

LAPLACE – The 2005 River Parishes Carnival season comes to its climax this weekend, with parades in LaPlace, Reserve, Luling and Des Allemands. One parade is set on Mardi Gras, Feb. 8, in Lutcher/Gramercy.

The following are highlights of the various courts, balls and parades to come.

Krewe Du Monde Gala

The annual Gala is set Friday, from 8 p.m. to midnight, at Riverlands Country Club, and will feature live music, hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. For ticket information, call Bull’s Corner at 652-3544, Rainbow Chevy at 651-2500, Edward Jones at 652-2722, and at the door.

Krewe of Towahpahsah-

The 20th annual Krewe of Towahpahsah rolls on Saturday at 1 p.m., along the traditional route in Reserve. Its king and queen, according to organizer Lawrence Triche Sr., always remains secret until the parade itself.

Plans call for 35-40 units, including floats, festival queens, marching bands and dance school squads.

Krewe Du Monde-

The 31st annual Krewe Du Monde rolls on Sunday at noon, through the streets of LaPlace, according to chairman Donald Mince of the LaPlace Lions Club.

The parade commences at Airline Highway and Main Street, proceeds along Main to West Fifth, where it makes a right turn. It follows West Fifth and turns right at Hemlock Drive and Carrollwood Drive, turns right at Greenwood Drive, left at Madewood Drive and left at Fairway Drive, ending at Fairway and Belle Terre Boulevard.

Eighteen floats and several dance troups are due to perform.

Krewe of Lul

The 28th annual Krewe of Lul King and Queen are Frank and Marion Pizzolato of Hahnville and Grand Marshal is Miss Teen USA Shelly Hennig of Destrehan. The parade is set for Saturday at1 p.m.

Krewe of Des Allemands

The Krewe of Des Allemands King and Queen are Edward and Elodie Tregle and Grand Marshals are Peggy P. Madere and Sherry C. Heurtin for this krewe, established in 1959. The parade is for Sunday at 2 p.m.

Krewe of

Save De Children

The eighth annual Krewe Save De Children is set on Mardi Gras at 1 p.m. The theme is “What’s Your Favorite Cartoon?”

The parade starts at the former Lutcher Junior High School, comes along King, Fifth, Lionel Washington to Main Street and into Gramercy, where it turns at South Millet to East Railroad, to South David and back to Main and back to the former school.