Washington Mardi Gras gets its royalty

Granted, it’s not even Halloween yet and football season is just hitting its midway mark, but it’s never too early to start thinking about Mardi Gras. Just ask Lafayette Congressman Charles Boustany, who’s taking his turn serving as the 2010 chairman of the Mystick Krewe of Louisianans — also known as Washington Mardi Gras. The event is usually attended by more than 3,000 people, of which 90% travel from Louisiana to party on the Hill. Many organizations and companies actually dedicate portions of their marketing or outreach budgets to send representatives to the bash. The annual ball, in particular, is considered one of the hottest D.C. networking events around and, in classic political form, provides a working example of how lawmakers and lobbyists can dodge those pesky gift rules [the event enjoys an exception from the ethics code]. And, of course, what would Mardi Gras be without a king and queen? Last week, Boustany announced that William H. Fenstermaker will serve as king and Dayna Elizabeth Haynie will serve as queen. Both are from Lafayette. Fenstermaker, known statewide for his work on good government boards like Blueprint Louisiana, is also CEO of C. H. Fenstermaker and Associates. He also serves as corporate chairman of IberiaBank. Haynie is a junior earning a double major in psychology and sculpture at LSU in Baton Rouge and she plans to pursue a master’s degree in art therapy following graduation. Along with her brother, Ryan, she serves as co-chair of the Haynie Family Foundation, which focuses on charitable giving to education, health care, art and cultural community needs. She was likewise selected as a princess for the Washington Mardi Gras Ball in 2007 and is the daughter of Randy and Daynese Haynie. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Washington, D.C., since 1943, when displaced Louisianians living in our nation’s capital decided to bring the celebration of Mardi Gras to their new home. In 1957, The Mystick Krewe of Louisianians was officially formed and has been sponsoring the celebration of Washington Mardi Gras since. — Jeremy Alford