About Our Krewe...

The Krewe of Queenateenas
New Orleans

In 1987, a group of some 400 guests joined Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain for their first bead toss. The Naquin-Delain's new home at 828 Bourbon Street sported one of the largest balconies in the French Quarter. With such a prime location in the gay district of Bourbon, the event was a hit.

The following year, the Naquin-Delain's limited their guests to 50, thus enabling revelers greater access and movement on the balcony. The group was dubbed the Krewe of Queenateenas by Jay Ann Loomis, a close friend of the Naquin-Delain's, making them co-captains of the revelers. The balcony was converted and decorated into what is now known as the Queenateenas Balcony Float #69.

In following years, the balcony has taken on its own themes of Carnival. As a joke in 1994, the Naquin-Delain's chose the King Cake Queen [KCQ] to lead the festivities Carnival Day. Again, this was a hit, beginning a new tradition for the Queenateenas.

The King Cake Queen [KCQ] of Gay Mardi Gras is announced each November or December. The new queen is introduced to society two to three weeks before Carnival at the KCQ Coronation Bash, and is joined by other members of the King Cake Queen Royalty Club. As queen, she leads the Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Mardi Gras, each year at 2:30pm. The King Cake Queen is chosen from those revelers participating in the previous year's Carnival bead toss at the Ambush Mansion, 828 Bourbon Street, by the Krewe of Queenateenas Co-Captains. The individual exhibiting the most enthusiasm and expertise in bead toss techniques is chosen to reign as KCQ.

In 1995, the cocaptains of the krewe hosted a party two Tuesdays before Mardi Gras celebrating the coronation of King Cake Queen II Jay Loomis [right] who reigned as "Jewel of the Nile" complete with elaborate Egyptian sculptures decorating "float #69". This year marked the beginning of actual crown and septer for the "chosen one".

In 1996, King Cake Queen III Smurf Murphy [left] was feted at a coronation bash two Tuesdays before Carnival celebrating "Jokers, Pokers and Strokers". Since the 1pm bead toss had been heavily advertised, both in AMBUSH Mag 2000 and at www.gaymardigras.com on the web, a huge crowd showed up on Mardi Gras chanting for beads from The Rainbow Queen. Smurf passed away Dec. 11, 2002.

December 1996 marked a change in the KCQ process. The Naquin-Delain's decided to announce the selection of the new King Cake Queen at their annual Christmas bash. KCQ II and III, Jay Loomis and Smurf Murphy announced the "chosen one", KCQ IV Reba Douglas.

Early 1997 led to the first annual KCQ Bar Run. Outgoing KCQ Smurf reigned over the festivities as a bus limo jetted 24 guests to 16 stops from the French Quarter to the Faubourg Marigny to Metairie and back to the Quarter in just four hours, exactly 4 Tuesdays before Carnival.

The KCQ IV coronation of Reba Douglas [right] took place Tuesday, January 28, 1997, exactly two Tuesdays before Carnival. Reba reigned as "Pearl of the Sea" on Mardi Gras, February 11, and Balcony Float #69 was transformed elaborately celebating the '97 theme, "fruit de mer" [fruit of the sea], complete with two 8 foot mermen. Reba and the Queenateenas tossed over 10,000 strands of beads to the excited revelers below.

December 1997 heralded in the announcement of KCQ V, Elizabeth "Liz" Simms [left]. The 2nd Annual KCQ Bar Run [pics] [more pics] was Tuesday, Jan. 27th led by outgoing KCQ IV Reba Douglas introducing Liz to Big Easy revelers. Tuesday, Feb. 10th was the date of KCQ V Liz Simms' Coronation Bash [pics] [more pics]. Liz reigned as "The She Devil" over the 10th Annual Bead Toss, celebrating the '98 theme of "Queenateenas in HELL," Mardi Gras, Feb. 24th, tossing over 12,000 pearls..

The announcement of KCQ VI, Christine Cheridon [right] was made in December, 1998. The 3rd Annual KCQ Bar Run was hosted Tuesday, Jan. 19th led by outgoing KCQ V Liz Simms, visiting some 10 New Orleans hot spots. Tuesday, Feb. 2nd was KCQ VI Christine Cheridon's [Sonny Cheridon Cleveland] Coronation Bash. Christine reigned as "Czarina" over the 12th Annual Bead Toss, celebrating the '99 theme of "Czars, Czarinzas & Queenateenas," 1pm, Mardi Gras, Feb. 16th, 828 Bourbon Street. KCQ VI Sonny lost his battle with cancer on June 12, 2000.

The announcement of KCQ VII, Stephanie Williams [left] was made December 10, 1999 at the annual Ambush Holiday Bash. The 4th Annual KCQ Bar Run was Tuesday, Feb. 8th, and was led by outgoing KCQ VI Christine Cheridon, visiting 13 New Orleans hot spots. Tuesday, Feb. 22nd was KCQ VII Stephanie Williams Coronation Bash. Stephanie reigned as "Goddess 2000" over the 13th Annual Bead Toss, and some 100 balcony guests, celebrating the 2000 theme of "Sex Goddesses," 1pm, Mardi Gras, March 7, 2000, 828 Bourbon Street .

The 2001 King Cake Queen, Phyllis Denmark [right], and theme, "Tetons et Derriere", was announced in Issue 26 of Ambush on December 22, 2000. The KCQ VIII Coronation Bash was hosted Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001. Denmark lead the 14th Annual Queenateenas Bead Toss as "The Peacock Queen", Mardi Gras, Feb. 27, 2001, 1pm.

The Co-Captains chose Lisa Beaumann [left] to reign as King Cake Queen IX: The Freedom Queen. Beaumann was introduced to society at the KCQ IX Coronation Bash on Tues., Jan. 29th. The 2002 queen lead the 15th Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss-"Men, Mannequins & Marines" hosted by the Krewe of Queenateenas at Ambush Headquarters Balcony, 828 Bourbon St. on Mardi Gras, Feb. 12, 2002, 1pm.

King Cake Queen X Teryl-Lynn Foxx [right] was announced by the Co-Captains in Ambush Mag on December 11, 2002. The new queen reigned as The Voodoo Queen and was introduced to society on Sun., Feb. 16, 2003 at the KCQ X Coronation Bash. Coronation pics and more pics. KCQ X Teryl-Lynn Foxx lead the 16th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss-"Vamps, Virgins & Voodoo" on Mardi Gras, March 4, 2003, 1pm.

2004 brought  King Cake Queen XI: The Dragon Queen. The new queen was introduced to society by Co-Captians Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Sun., Feb. 8 at the KCQ XI of Gay Mardi Gras Coronation Bash. "Drums, Drags & Dragons" set the tone for the 17th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss, on Feb. 24 hosted from Ambush Headquarters World famous balcony, 828 Bourbon St. tossing some 30,000 beads to the crowds below.

Savanna DeLorean  [left] was announced as King Cake Queen XII of Gay Mardi Gras by the Co-Captains in Ambush Mag on Nov. 23, 2004. The new queen reigned as The Amazon Queen and was introduced to Carnival society on Sun., Jan. 23, 2004 at the King Cake Queen XII Coronation Bash.  KCQ XII  Savanna DeLorean  led the 18th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on  Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras), Feb. 8, 2005, from the World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon St. and tossed over 30,000 beads to the crowds.

On Dec. 10, 2005, Raven Kennedy was announced as King Cake Queen XIII of Gay Mardi Gras at the Ambush Holiday Bash before some 200 guests. Kennedy was presented to Carnival society on Sat., Feb. 11th as The Diamond Queen at the King Cake Queen XIII Coronation Bash. As King Cake Queen, Kennedy led the 19th annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006 from  World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon St. She reigned over the 2006 theme of  Rubys, Rhinestones & Royalty. (Photo: KCQ XIII Raven Kennedy at the Coronation)

On Dec. 10, 2006, Princesse Stephaney  was announced as King Cake Queen XIV of Gay Mardi Gras at the Ambush Holiday Bash before some 176 guests with the 2007 theme of Ferrets, Fantasies & Fairytales. Princesse Stephaney was presented to Carnival society on  Feb. 2, 2007  as The Fantasy Queen at the King Cake Queen XIV Coronation Bash with over 200 guests in attendance including members of the King Cake Queen Royalty Club and the current and past royalty of many of New Orleans Gay Carnival krewes. As King Cake Queen, Princesse Stephaney lead the 20th Annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, February 20, 2007.

On Nov. 20, 2007, Marsha Naquin-Delain was announced as King Cake Queen XV of Gay Mardi Gras 2008 in Ambush Magazine. Naquin-Delain was presented to Carnival society on Fri., Jan. 4, 2008  as The Fleur de Lis Queen at the King Cake Queen XV Coronation Bash. As King Cake Queen, Naquin-Delain led the 21st  annual Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008  from  World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street reigning over the 2008 theme of  Nepotism: Every Captain A Queen. (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XVI of Gay Mardi Gras Tami Tarmac was announced on November 18, 2008 in Ambush Magazine to lead the 2009 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities: Gaudy Girls.  Reigning as The Grandee Queen, Tami was presented to Carnival Society for the 16th annual King Cake Queen Coronation on Saturday, Jan. 24, kicking off Gay Mardi Gras with some 249 guests in attendance. The new King Cake Queen closed out Gay Carnival Season leading the 22nd Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 2pm from World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street, tossing thousands of beads to the massive crowds below.
(Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XVII of Gay Mardi Gras Opal Masters was announced  on November 24, 2009  in Ambush Magazine to lead the 2010 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities: Passport to Versailles, NO GUILLOTINES PLEASE. Reigning as The Parisian Queen, Opal was presented to Carnival Society for the 17th annual King Cake Queen Coronation on Saturday, Jan. 23, kicking off Gay Mardi Gras. The new King Cake Queen closed out Gay Carnival Season leading the 23rd Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, February 16, 2009 at 2pm from World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street tossing thousands of beads to the revelers below. (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XVIII of Gay Mardi Gras Rona Conners was announced on November 23, 2010 in Ambush Magazine and led the 2011 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities: The Imperial House of Japan Boards The Orient Express. Reigning as The Chrysanthemum Queen, Rona was introduced to Carnival Society on Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the 18th Annual King Cake Queen Coronation. As King Cake Queen, she led the 24th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 2pm from World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street. (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XIX of Gay Mardi Gras Nicole DuBois was announced on November 21 in Ambush Magazine via Facebook and lead the 2012 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities: Carnivale in Rio.  Reigning as The Samba Queen, Nicole was  introduced to Carnival Society on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the 19th Annual King Cake Queen Coronation. As King Cake Queen, she led the 25th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 2pm from World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street. (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XX of Gay Mardi Gras Dusty Debris was announced on November 20  in Ambush Magazine via Facebook and led the 2013 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities: 20 Years of Magic, Myths & Mortals.  Reigning as The Platinum Queen, Dusty was  introduced to Carnival Society on Saturday, January 26, 2013 at the 20th Annual King Cake Queen Coronation. As King Cake Queen, she led the 26th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, February 12, 2013 from World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street. (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XXI of Gay Mardi Gras Barbara Ella was announced in the November 10, 2013 edition of  Ambush Magazine and via Facebook. Leading the 2014 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities: Rome, Royalty & Intrigue, the queen reigned as "The Borghese Queen" and was introduced to Carnival Society on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the 21st King Cake Queen Coronation hosted in the Ambush Mansion. On Mardi Gras Day, March 4, 2014, King Cake Queen XXI Barbara Ella headlined the 27th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss from World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony, 828 Bourbon Street, tossing thousands of beads to the revelers below. (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XXII of Gay Mardi Gras Aubrey Synclaire was announced on November 4, 2014 in  Ambush Magazine and via Facebook. Leading the 2015 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities, the "Queen of the Opera" was introduced to Carnival Society at the 22nd King Cake Queen Coronation celebrating Vienna: Beautiful, Gay & Gemuthlich (Cozy), hosted in the Ambush Mansion on Sunday, January 18, 2015, bringing 328 guests out for the occasion. On Mardi Gras Day, February 17, 2015, King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire headlined the 28th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss tossing thousands of the best beads on Bourbon Street from World famous Ambush Headquarters balcony.  (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XXII of Gay Mardi Gras Aubrey Synclaire continued her reign as Queen of the Opera: Act II leading the 2016 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities. Gay Carnival Season culminated with the 29th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, Feburary 9, 2016 tossing thousands of beads from World famous Ambush Mansion balcony. (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.COM)

King Cake Queen XXIII of Gay Mardi Gras was announced in the November 22, 2016 issue of Ambush Magazine. Reigning as "The Pride Queen" of 2017, the new queen will lead the 2017 Krewe of Queenateenas' festivities celebrating PRIDELICIOUS: Rainbows, Stars & Stilettos! The formal coronation was Saturday, January 21 which was attended by 126 guests out of 165 invited. The 68th Gay Carnival Season culminates with the 30th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, Feburary 28, 2017 at 2:30pm from World famous Ambush Mansion balcony.  (Photo by: Larry Graham, GrahamStudioOne.com)

King Cake King for Life of Gay Mardi Gras was presented by Queenateenas' Captain Marsha Delain following the coronation of Napoleon "Rip" Naquin as Grand Reveler III at the 4th Annual Rue Royale Revelers 12th Night Party on Jan. 6, 2017. This is believed to be the first Double Crown of Gay Mardi Gras in the male monarch category. The 68th Gay Carnival Season culminated with the 30th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, Feburary 28, 2017 at 2pm from World famous Ambush Mansion balcony where the King Cake King/Grand Reveler III was joined by King Cake Queen XXIII Monica Synclaire-Kennedy to do the honors.  (Photo by: Larry Graham)

King Cake Queen XXIV of Gay Mardi Gras will be announced in November, 2017 in Ambush Magazine. The new queen will reign over the 2018 Krewe of Queenateenas festivities. The 69th Gay Carnival Season will culminate with the 31st Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss on Fat Tuesday, Feburary 13, 2018 at 2pm from World famous Ambush Mansion balcony led by King Cake Queen XXIV.