Bogalusa’s 70th Paper Queen, Amanda Grace Kellar, has had many adventures this year, with one of the most special trips this week as she ventured to Washington, D.C. to participate in the grandest of 2010 activities to be held there, the Washington Mardi Gras Ball. It has been said that demand for the tickets to this annual event is surpassed only by the demand for Super Bowl tickets. The Mystick Krewe of Louisianians host 24 queens each year as part of the grand pageantry. Bogalusa’s Paper Queen has been participating in this event every year since it was first suggested that the queens be presented at the Royal Ball in 1948.

Kellar started her week at the Governor’s Mansion in Baton Rouge, where she was greeted by Governor and Mrs. Bobby Jindal. After a reception and photo opportunity, she and the other queens left for the Baton Rouge airport to join their families for a chartered flight to Washington. 

The queens had the opportunity to visit the most interesting sights in Washington and were treated as VIP royalty. They had congressional escorts in the Capital, where they were given a guided tour and were guests at the king’s luncheon with the Louisiana Congressional Delegation and Royal Court. 

(Use arrows above to view more photos) Advertisement

The king this year is Bill Fenstermaker of Lafayette, and his queen is Dayna Haynie, also of Lafayette. Following the luncheon, the court traveled to Senator Mary Landrieu’s home for a royal tea. Later that evening the queens were treated to a special dinner party to get the Mardi Gras festivities going.

On Friday the queens attended a special ceremony to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.  This event was especially moving for Kellar as she represents Bogalusa’s American Legion Post 24. After the changing of the guards, the queens traveled to the Vietnam, Lincoln and Korean War Memorials, followed by a VIP tour of the White House. Friday’s festivities culminated in the presentation of royalty at the formal dance.  Saturday was filled with practices, pictures and hair and makeup appointments in anticipation for the big night’s events. The Mardi Gras Ball in Washington was surely the experience of a lifetime, as Kellar and the royal court were presented to thousands of attendees at the Grand Ball.

Kellar says she has enjoyed traveling Louisiana and representing the City of Bogalusa and the American Legion Post 24.  She has experienced the culture of Louisiana in unique ways, including helicopter rides over the Mississippi River at the Orange Festival, participating in a kumquat eating contest, hula hooping at the Swamp Pop Pageant, enjoying Cajun music at the Cajun Food Festival in Kaplan, watching dog trials and duck calls in Gueydan’s Duck Festival and, of course, representing Bogalusa at the Washington Parish Fair. 

Kellar has also participated in many parades, too, such as Franklinton High School’s homecoming parade, the Bogalusa Christmas parade and the Washington Parish Fair parade. She has attended many beauty pageants and made new friends among her rhinestone sisters (queen friends) who will last a lifetime.

“I’m so thankful for the chance to represent our parish as Paper Queen 70,” said Bogalusa’s Paper Queen Grace Kellar, who says she is also looking forward to the many opportunities remaining in the few months left of her reign to represent Washington Parish.