Residents and Krewe of Jesters members from all over the area came to get in the spirit of Mardi Gras during the Navarre Krewe of Jesters’ Mardi Ball Feb. 19.
This Mardi Ball kicked off the 2011 Mardi Gras season, which marks the 25th anniversary of the start of Mardi Gras celebrations in Navarre, according to Fundraiser Committee Chairman Tim Small of the Krewe.
“I had an absolute blast at the ball,” Small said. “It was beautiful. I loved the way they had the videos set up with the collages of past parades and events.”
Not only did Navarre’s Krewe join in the fun, but members of the Krewe of Lafitte, the Krewe of Bowlegs and the Krewe of Seville also came to dance, eat and start the holiday season.
The ball was held at St. Sylvester’s church where Grand Marshalls Mike and Nancy Sandler crowned the king and queen. Rick Tremor and Robin Wall were the royalty of the night, along with Jessica Barbour Otten, who was dubbed the Queen of Hearts.  Cathy Schulte is also serving as Lester the Jester this year.
The silent auction during the ball raised $750 for the Krewe’s Navarre High School scholarship fund, according to Charlene Tremor,  the entertainment committee chairperson for the Krewe.
The Navarre Mardi Gras parade will be on March 5.