Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningFestivalsNews

Shreveport Commemorates 75 Years of Elegance

A glamorous ballroom filled with guests celebrating the Shreveport Cotillion's 75th anniversary.

News Summary

Shreveport, Louisiana, recently hosted the 75th Cotillion at the historic Municipal Auditorium, celebrating with a captivating theme of ‘L’Esprit Rococo.’ The event featured the crowning of Miss Sarah Jane Williams as Duchess of New Orleans, continuing a cherished tradition in her family. With exciting plans for the 2025 Cotillion, titled ‘An Enchanted Evening at Swan Lake,’ the Cotillion Club remains a vital part of the community’s cultural landscape.

Shreveport Celebrates 75 Years of Glamour with a Night to Remember!

Shreveport, Louisiana, is all abuzz this week after the Shreveport Cotillion Club hosted its magnificent 75th Cotillion on April 12, 2024. The air was filled with excitement and elegance at the historic Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, where friends and family gathered to honor tradition and celebrate the latest royal court. This year, the magical theme was L’Esprit Rococo, truly bringing a touch of artful beauty to the event!

Royal Selections Shine Bright

The spotlight of the evening was undoubtedly on Miss Sarah Jane Williams, who was crowned the Duchess of New Orleans for the upcoming 76th annual Cotillion. Sarah Jane, a bright 21-year-old studying psychology, English, and pre-law at Louisiana State University, plans to continue her studies in law school next, and she’s not stopping there! She is also a dynamic member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, currently serving as the Vice President of Standards. Her impressive resume even includes a summer internship lined up with the Sazerac Company in Louisville, Kentucky, covering human resources, legal, and compliance—definitely a busy summer ahead!

A Deep-Rooted Tradition

Tradition runs deep in the Williams family; Sarah Jane’s grandfather, William Barry Box, was part of the Cotillion Court back in 1959, and her uncle, Beau James Box, Sr., participated in 1988. It’s this lineage of elegance that adds a personal touch to what’s already a celebrated evening.

Exciting Plans for 2025

The Cotillion Club didn’t just stop at celebrating its past. The theme for the upcoming 2025 Cotillion has already been unveiled: An Enchanted Evening at Swan Lake, inspired by Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet. It promises to whisk attendees away into a land of love and deception, complete with lavish decorations and stunning performers. Mark your calendars for April 11, 2025—you won’t want to miss the dazzling festivities!

Meet the Court of 2025

This year’s royal court comprises 42 members, with titles ranging from Rex and Queen to Prince and Princess, along with duchesses, heralds, pages, and ladies and gentlemen of the court. It’s a vibrant group representing various regions both within and beyond Louisiana. Leading the charge as Rex LXXVI is Mr. John Edward Atkins, married to Lindsay Holman Atkins, while Regina LXVVI is the poised Miss Katherine Claire Ferrier.

Additionally, the court features His Royal Highness, The Prince, Mr. Russell Barrow Peacock Jr., and Her Royal Highness, The Princess, Miss Aidan Elaine Heard. Such a rich tapestry of talent and tradition shines brightly during these festivities.

A Community Focused Event

The Cotillion Club, established in 1949, draws inspiration from the legendary Mardi Gras Krewe balls of New Orleans. The first-ever Cotillion attracted around 500 couples, and since then, it has remained a cornerstone of Shreveport’s social scene. The club aims not only to celebrate youth and tradition but also to foster interest in the Greater Shreveport area, enhancing its cultural milieu and economic base.

Looking back, the original Cotillion theme was Moonlight and Magnolias, a charming nod to the elegance and spirit that perseveres through the years. With Patrick Lukacs serving as the president of the Cotillion Governing Board, it’s clear that the club is in capable hands as they plan for yet another spectacular evening.

Get ready, Shreveport! With such rich traditions and boundless excitement ahead, there’s no doubt the next Cotillion will forge unforgettable memories for all involved.