On January 31, 2026, the Krewe of Dionysos hosted their Grand Bal XXVIII in the Natchitoches Events Center under the thrilling theme "Krewe of Dionysos Around the World."   Brett Garfinkel served as the Grand event's emcee and "Louisiana Red" was the band for the evening.
The Krewe took guests on a trip of a lifetime, with four different destinations, which required a passport provided to each ‘traveler’ complete with country stamps.  The Krewe’s first stop was in Egypt where Captain Dionysos Brandi McManus made her debut with her page, Eleanor Grace Picou.
After a brief in-flight entertainment, the Junior Court was presented.   
Lainey Bennett – Daughter of Krewe Members Jeremy Bennett and Hillary Bennett.
Ava Broadway – Daughter of Lindsey Broadway; Granddaughter of Krewe Member Shelby Borders.
Landon Carney – Son of Lonny Carney, Jr and Katie Dunn Carney; Grandson of Krewe Member Cindy Dunn.
Andrew Cockrell – Son of Brian Cockrell and Dr. Jennifer Poynter Cockrell; Grandson of Charter Member Brenda Poynter Reinhart and Krewe Member Paul Reinhart and the late Charter Member Mike Poynter.
Chalin Gandy – Son of Krewe Member Charlie Gandy and Matt Gandy.
Matthew Mayeux – Son of Krewe Member Dr. Michelle Ingram Mayeux and Chris Mayeux; Grandson of Charter Krewe Members Lucille Ingram and the late Ralph Ingram.
Kinsley McManus – Daughter of Melissa Brumley; the late David McManus and Captain Brandi McManus.
Ava Grace Mitchell – Daughter of Krewe Members Rick and Crystal Mitchell.
Addison Price – Daughter of Krewe Members Brad and Daviona Price.
Izabella “Izzy” Smith – Daughter of Keith and Jessica Brown; Granddaughter of Krewe Members Jerry and Darlene McElwee.
Queen Dionysos Jodi Shirley made her debut with her pages James David Shirley and Georgiana Lee Shirley; followed by King Dionysos Dr. Ted Jordan. 
Next stop for the guests was Italy with the Duke and Duchess of Dance, Billy Meziere and Stacie Lonadier, where gladiators joined the two for their parade around the room.
The Duke and Duchess of Destiny, Shelby Borders and Elizabeth Greely landed the flight in Brazil.  Brazilian Dancers entertained the audience with an amazing dance and colorful costumes while the Duke & Duchess paraded around the room.
The flight landed in China next, with tumblers and a Chinese dragon greeting the Duke and Duchess of Decadence, John Greely and Kristina Meziere
The fourth and final stop was New York City, with the Duke and Duchess of Desire, Chris Garcia and Cathy McCauslin.  As the royalty paraded one last time, the Times Square Ball dropped to begin the Mardi Gras Party.  The King toasted the travelers and kicked off the start to the Grand Bal.
 
The next stop on the itinerary for the Krewe will be Natchitoches, LA for the Mardi Gras Parade on February 14, 2026!
 
If your group would like to participate in our February 14, 2026 parade, participation forms can be submitted on-line through our website, https://kreweofdionysos.com/parade/ and completing the "PARADE PARTICIPATION FORM.'  Questions or correspondence can be sent to KreweOfDionysos@gmail.com or SarpyL71@gmail.com.
 
 
Photo Legend: (All Left to Right)
01_captain_page:  Eleanor Grace Picou, Page for the Captain; and Captain Dionysos Brandi McManus
01_duchess:  Duchess of Destiny, Elizabeth Greely; Duchess of Decadence, Kristina Meziere; Duchess of Dance, Stacie Lonadier; and Duchess of Desire, Cathy McCauslin
01_dukes_king: Duke of Desire, Chris Garcia; Duke of Destiny, Shelby Borders; King Ted Jordan; Duke of Decadence, John Greely and Duke of Dance, Billy Meziere
01_Junior Court Girls:  Ava Broadway; Izabella “Izzy” Smith; Lainey Bennett; Ava Grace Mitchell; Addison Price; and Kinsley McManus
01_Junior Court Guys:  Landon Carney; Chalin Gandy; Andrew Cockrell; and Matthew Mayeux
01_queen_pages:  Georgiana Lee Shirley; Queen Dionysos Jodi Shirley; and James David Shirley