The 16th annual St. Bernard Irish Italian Islenos Community Parade & Marching Club is set to hit the streets of St. Bernard Parish on Saturday, April 1, 2017, the marching club will begin at 11:00 a.m. followed by the floats at noon. The organization will feature 50 floats, 35+ marching groups and units and nearly 500,000 pounds of produce. The parade’s theme will be “GOES HOLLYWOOD!” celebrating TV, movies and entertainment.
The parade royalty includes King Barry Lemoine and Queen Katherine Karcher Lemoine of Arabi, LA, look for the King & Queen on Float # 1.
While Katrina took a lot away, for Barry and Katherine Lemoine the storm brought them together as teachers in the St. Bernard School System. These life-long educators have been married for 8 years and continue to educate, entertain, and work to better the parish.
Katherine Lemoine represents District 1 on the St. Bernard Parish School Board and serves as the Education Program Manager at Nunez Community College. A life-long resident of St. Bernard, Katherine has spent her entire career in the classrooms of St. Bernard Parish, working with students at every grade level. She began her teaching career at C.F. Rowley Elementary School and was named 2003 St. Bernard Parish New Teacher of the Year. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education from U.N.O., and is enrolled in its Ph.D. program for Educational Administration. She was recently recognized with the Outstanding Faculty Award at Nunez Community College for her dedication and commitment to education.
Katherine also serves as a Board Member for the Voices Foundation, Educational Liaison for Shine Productions and Executive Board Member for Leadership St. Bernard. Mrs. Lemoine was recognized by New Orleans City Business as “Ones to Watch in Education,” and was recently elected as the Director of District 1 for the Louisiana School Boards Association. Lemoine’s commitment to public service is instilled in her by her parents, Kevin and Tara Karcher.
Barry A. Lemoine is an award-winning writer and educator. Playfully regarded as the Bard of St. Bernard, Lemoine has spent most of his adult life as a teacher and producer of theatre and educational television for the St Bernard Parish Public School System. For his efforts, Lemoine was named as St. Bernard’s Man of the Year by the BPW in 2015
Lemoine is also the owner of SHINE Productions, LLC., St. Bernard’s only professional theatre company. Since 2001, Shine has brought entertainment and education to venues across the city. As an educator, Lemoine has been honored in a number of ways. UNO awarded him the Cressap Watson Memorial Award for his work as a teacher of writing, the Wal-Mart Corporation recognized him as one of its Teachers of the Year and Andrew Jackson recognized him as one of its High School Teacher of the Year.
As a writer and producer of educational television, Lemoine has received a number of awards from the International Reading Association, and the University of California, Santa Barbara for teaching of writing. He also produced the “Shakesperience of a Lifetime” – this video was named as America’s Best by the Classroom Channel.
Lemoine also promotes the cultural arts with his work with the Meraux Foundation, the Council on Aging, the Voices Foundation, and as a columnist for the Times Picayune and Nola.com He is also a contributor Parish Pride, a regular feature in the St. Bernard Parish Post. An Executive Board Member for Leadership St. Bernard, Lemoine and his wife Katherine, also host art workshops for children, theatre and music classes for senior citizens, and social events for their Old Arabi neighborhood.
On Float # 2 look for the Parade Princesses, 18 young ladies ranging from 10 to 18 years old who represent the Irish, Italian and Islenos heritages. Here is the list of Princesses in alphabetical order: Casie Arnona, Alissa Francis, Morgan Jackson, Taylor Kiern, Erica Lambert, Megan Lasha, Tiffany Lasha, Madison Pentney, Jade Rizzuto, Avah Sampere, Angel Lee Seaton, Danee Smith, Peyton Taylor, Natalie Tomblin, Rebekah Tomblin, Alexis Wickboldt, Hollie Woods and Penelope Woods. Angel Lee Seaton is a young lady from the Make A Wish Foundation who will be featured as a Parade Princess.
The 2017 Grand Marshals will ride on Float # 3 and they are the cast of the hit A&E TV series Nightwatch featuring New Orleans EMS stars Holly Monteleone, Dan Flynn, Titus Tero, Keeley Williams and Nick Manning. The Grand Marshals will host a meet & greet on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the St. Bernard Parish Council Chambers, they will sign pictures provided by the parade.
The 50 Blaine Kern floats will feature over 1,200 riders carrying produce provided by B & G Fresh Market, Chalmette, Louisiana and will include cabbage, potatoes, lemons, limes, bananas, oranges, carrots and much more. Riders will also toss t-shirts, frisbees, tote bags and backpacks along with cups that feature the parade logo.
Katherine and Barry Lemoine.
Irish Italian Islenos Logo Dark
2017 Parade Route
Nightwatch Meet and Greet
King Barry and Queen Katherine with the Parade Princesses at Rocky & Carlo’s.
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