2011 Highlights

the "official" dish: Gay Easter Parade Wrap-up, Parade to Donate Over $25,000 to Food For Friends (see Page-8), 9th Spring Fever Raises $2,339 & 12th Purple Party $6,927 for GEP & Food For Friends (continued on Page-10)

the "official" dish: Gay Easter Parade Pink Party/Eggstravaganza Raises $1,422, Drag Extravaganza Raises $3,860; Up Next Purple Party April 16 & Bunnies In The Big Easy April 22; 12th Gay Easter Parade Rolls April 24th with Pre & Post-Parade Parties (see Page-4), (continued on Page-8)

the "official" dish: Gay Easter Parade Sponsorship Kick-Off Party Raises $4,361; Drag Extravaganza April 2 & Spring Fever April 8 Up Next (see Page-4)

the "official" dish: Sponsorship Kick-Off Party, Pink Party Begins Fundraising Efforts of 12th Gay Easter Parade (see Page-4)

breaking news: Gary Vandeventer & Elizabeth Bouvier To Lead 12th Gay Easter Parade April 24 as EGMs XII, $5,750 Launches Gay Easter Parade Sponsorships (see Page-42, 43)

2010 Highlights

Some 30,000 View 11th Gay Easter Parade, Over $17,182 Raised for Food For Friends

The 11th annual Gay Easter Parade brought some 30,000 spectators to the streets of the French Quarter on Easter Sunday, April 4. Led by Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, the thirty-five unit parade included twenty-three carriages, wagons and trolleys, Smitty Dee's Brass Band, The Third Line Brass Band and ten cars and trucks.

The parade minus expenses raised $17,182.15 for Food For Friends this year. Over the past 9 years, the parade has raised over $80,825 for charity.

Presented by Ambush Mag, the parade passed by the majority of popular GLBT bars, restaurants, delis, and businesses in the Quarter including parade sponsor Starlight By The Park, parade sponsor Rawhide, parade sponsor Good Friends Bar, Bourbon Pub, Napoleon's Itch, parade sponsor Oz, parade sponsor Cafe Lafitte in Exile, parade sponsor Clover Grill, parade sponsor Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, Tubby's Golden Lantern, Mona Lisa, Verti Mart, FiFi Mahoneys, Rab Dab, Cafe Amelie, La Mina Sterling, Le Roundup, parade sponsor Double Play, parade sponsor Corner Pocket, parade sponsor Society Page, and parade sponsor 700 Club.

The colorful and elegant parade threw thousands of bunnies, candy and beads to the huge appreciative crowds.

Parade participants included: Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner & Tittie Toulouse; EGM VIII Rona Conners & Bob Boler; EGM VII Opal Masters & Darwin Reed; EGMs I Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain; Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier/FourPlay; JohnPaul's; Queen Amon-Ra XLIV Rhonda & David Roget; Double Play, 4 Seasons & Billy's; Society Page; NO/AIDS Task Force; Bebe Scarpinato; EGM VIII Michael Elias/Corner Pocket; 700 Club; Kurt Goodman; EGM IX Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles; Zsa Zsa D'LaHor; EGM X Tony Leggio; Lords of Leather; Krewe of Petronius 50; Kajun's Pub/Bunny Marshals; Tubby's Golden Lantern; King & Queen Amon-Ra XLV David Aranda & Countess C. Alice; Food For Friends; Darrell K. Sims/People of Substance; Bobby Wagstaff/King Krewe of Mwindo; Justin Donnaud; Bruce Orgeron/Krewe of Armeinius; Tyriq Davenport Kennedy; Rosario D'Amico/Krewe of Armeinius; Joseph McCrory/Krewe of Mwindo; and Starlight By The Park.

Special thanks to all sponsors of the Gay Easter Parade including:

$1,000-Platinum: Elizabeth Bouvier/FourPlay, John Vignone & Paul Chiriaco/JohnPaul's Bar;

$500-Gold: Queen Amon-Ra XLIV Rhonda & David Roget, Lord King XVI Gary Vandeventer & Lord Consort XVII Tim Lott, Miseal Rubio/Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, Krewe of Amon-Ra;

$250-Silver: King & Queen Amon-Ra XLV David Aranda & Daryl Dunaway Jr., EGM IX Safonda Peters & Stuart Nettles, EGM VIII Tom "Rona" Conners & Bob Boler, King Cake Queen XVII & EGM VII Opal Masters & Darwin Reed, EGM IX Orlando Aloe/Society Page; Wood Enterprises, Oz New Orleans, EGM VIII Michael Elias & Jay Sewell/The Corner Pocket, Mike Cookmeyer & Matt Giglio/700 Club, Krewe of Petronius, Celebrating Chuck & Bill's 39th Anniversary/Friends of The Purple Party;

$100-Bronze: EGM X Tony Leggio, Dwain Hertz & Al Dugas, Glenn O'Berry & Roger Copenhaver, Starr Daniels & Justin Moffatt, Jay Cooper & Gizelle Bouvier, Saints & Sinners Literary Festival, Bruce Orgeron/Krewe of Armeinius, King Amon-Ra XLIV Nick Olivares & Roy Smith, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac & King Amon-Ra XLIII Paul Davis, Lee Worrells, J.E. Bourgoyne & Jay Tyburski/Bourgoyne Guest House; and

Venue/In-Kind: 4 Seasons, 700 Club, Billy's, Bywater Patio Bar, Double Play, JohnPaul's, Starlight By The Park.

Parade Revenues include:
$7,850-Sponsors
$1,808-2nd Eggstravaganza
$2,200-8th Spring Fever
$3,257-9th Drag Extravaganza
$3,522-11th Purple Party
$5,270-1st Bunnies in the Big Easy
$250-Vehicle Entry Fees
$20-Parade Day Donation/Todd Blauvelt
$50-Donation/Bon Maison Guest House
$24,227-Total Revenue

Parade Expenses include:
$40-EGM Pins
$780-EGM Carriages
$389.60-Entertainer/EGM Shuttle/Eggstravaganza
$100-Drag Extravaganza DJ
$1,875-Bands
$1,500-Insurance
$50.25-Parade Permit
$1,050-Parade Police Detail
$1,260-Food, Staff, Underwear/Bunnies in the Big Easy
$7,044.85 Total Expenses

The Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade includes Electra City, Tom "Rona" Conners, Tony Leggio, Opal Masters, Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, and Tittie Toulouse.

Past Grand Marshals include EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, EGMs II Larry Bagneris and the late Miss Do Moreland, EGMs III Timm Holt and Teryl-Lynn Foxx, EGMs IV George Simons and Electra City, EGMs V Brett Messmer and Princesse Stephaney, EGMs VI James Swire and Lisa Beaumann, EGMs VII Doc Reed and Opal Masters. EGMs VIII Michael Elias and Tom "Rona" Conners, EGMs IX Orlando Aloe and Safonda Peters, and EGMs X Tony Leggio and Marcy Marcell.

Purple Party Raises $3,522 for GEP, Food For Friends

The 11th annual Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception was another success this year raising $3,522 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends. Hosted at The Double Play, the party honored Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse. Many past grand marshals were in attendance as well as representatives of many organizations and Carnival krewes. The evening also celebrated the 39th Anniversary of Easter Grand Marshal XI Chuck Turner and partner Bill Miller.

Guests enjoyed the lavish buffet while mingling with all the celebrities in attendance.

The auctions went extremely well with the Carousel Egg fetching $700 from EGM XI Chuck Turner, the Mermaid Egg $350 from Petronius Captain Bill McCarthy, Massage $225 from Ronald Buras, Chocolate Basket $225 from Lord King XVI Gary Vandeventer, and the Purple Bunnies $200 from EGMs I Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain. The door brought in $615, egg raffles $444, and raffle tickets $413. A $250 Silver sponsorship was raised from party goers in honor of Chuck and Bill's 39th Anniversary, and a $100 Bronze sponsorship came in from Lee Worrells. Many thanks to all who helped and supported this event.

Bunnies in the Big Easy Raises $5,270 for GEP/Food For Friends

Easter weekend kicked off in New Orleans on Good Friday, April 2 when the 11th Gay Easter Parade presented the 1st annual Bunnies in the Big Easy: Putting The Good in Friday, under the direction of GEP Board's Tony Leggio and Tom "Rona" Conners. The new event was hosted at Bywater Patio Bar & Secret Garden raising an astounding $5,270 for the Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends.

Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse were presented "official" proclamations from the Mayor of the City of New Orleans by Human Relations Chair and Easter Grand Marshal II Larry Bagneris. The wonderful live auction brought in $150 for the Bryce Landry Bad Bunny painting from Queen Satyricon VII Wedon Brown, $75 for the Ashton Drake Doll from Petronius Captain Bill McCarthy, $150 for the Bill McCarthy Easter Basket from Lee Worrells, $350 for the Big Basket from Friday Night Before Mardi Gras' Ed Chapman which he donated back for reauction, $300 for the Big Basket reauction from Mwindo's Larry Jones, and $350 for the Jewel Egg from EGM XI Chuck Turner.

One of the highlights of the evening had to be the live auction of hot model's underwear in the Secret Garden including $150 for model Cage's underwear from EGM XI Chuck Turner, $300 for model Jason's underwear from Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier and $300 for model Chase's underwear from EGM X Tony Leggio's Mom Dawn Leggio.

The event also brought in $2,850 from 95 event tickets, $245 in egg raffles, and a $50 donation from Michael Sullivan in memory of John St. Clair.

Guests enjoyed a scrumptious buffet and limited open bar offering vodka cocktails, beer and wine. DJ Buckley featured fierce dance tunes under the stars in the Secret Garden. Thanks to all who made this such a success.

9th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $3,257 for Gay Easter Parade

The 9th annual Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza & Auction, under the direction of Gay Easter Parade Board's Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain, raised $3,257 on March 19 at JohnPaul’s, 940 Elysian Fields. The 11th Gay Easter Parade benefits Food For Friends. The faux Faberge musical Tulip Egg donated from the private collection of EGM VIII Tom "Rona" Conners brought in $1,000 at auction from EGM X Chuck Turner.

A pair of giant Easter Bunnies beautifully dressed also donated by Conners brought in $500 at auction from John Vignone and Paul Chiriaco.

The Grand Easter Basket auction worth over $1,000 in prizes raised $550 from Elizabeth Bouvier. It included an Ambush full page black and white ad worth $445; Oz VIP Pass with admittance throughout 2010 worth $200; Silver Demitasse Set of 6 donated by Tom "Rona" Conners; Fleur de Lis Pitcher & Saucer, and 4 hand painted Wine Glasses donated by Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain; bottle Bailey's Caramel Irish Cream & Parrot Bay Coconut Rum donated by 700 Club; bottle Grey Goose Pear Vodka, Patron Citronge, Patron XO Cafe Liqueur and Parma Pomegranite Liqueur donated by Cafe Lafitte's, Clover Grill, Good Friends & Rawhide; bottle of Freixenet Champagne & Tango de Mendoza Red Wine donated by Tom "Rona" Conners; bottle Bushmills Irish Whiskey & $30 Bar Tab donated by The Corner Pocket; $25 Bar Tab donated by Society Page, and $25 Bar Tab donated by Tubby's Golden Lantern.

The door brought in $445, stage performance tips $532, a $200 donation by Rip and Marsha Naquin-Delain, and a $30 donation by Darwin Reed and Opal Masters.

Honoring Easter Grand Marshals XI Chuck Turner and Tittie Toulouse, the extravaganza was emceed by Miss Gay America '06 Nicole Du'Bois, EGM X Tony Leggio, and EGM VII and King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters. The star studded lineup included a rare performance by EGM I Marsha Naquin-Delain, along with performances by EGM IV Electra City, EGM V Princesse Stephaney, EGM IX Safonda Peters, EGM X Marcy Marcell, EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, KCQ XIII Raven Kennedy, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac, EGM VI Lisa Beaumann, Queen Amon-Ra XLV Countess C. Alice, Miss LSGRA Elizabeth Bouvier, Miss Elysian Fields Barbara Ella, Bronze Sponsor Starr Daniels, and Bronze Sponsor Jay Cooper and Gizelle Bouvier.

7th Spring Fever: A Star Studded Benefit Raises $2,200 for Gay Easter Parade, Food For Friends

The 8th annual Spring Fever: A Star Studded Benefit Gala & Auction (500 Years of Drag Celebrating Tittie’s 50th Birthday) was hosted at 4 Seasons in Metairie on March 13. Under the direction of Gay Easter Parade Boards Electra City and Tittie Toulouse, the event raised $2,200 for the 11th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends

Both EGM IV Electra City and EGM XI Tittie Toulouse starred in and emceed the festive evening. The musical Butterfly Egg donated from the private collection of EGM VIII Tom "Rona" Conners raised $400 at auction from EGM X Chuck Turner, while the plush Bunnies (also donated by Conners) raised $85 from John Vignone. Crystal Charbonnet had the top bid of $100 for the Wine Basket donated by Buffa's Restaurant & Bar won in raffle by Brad who put it up for auction to raise more money. The raffle raised $400 which included a Men's Gift Basket donated by Saks Fifth Avenue (value $350), 3 bottles of liquor donated by Toby Lefort, 2 bottles donated by Tittie Toulouse and Electra City, 2 bottles donated by Wood Enterprises, 2 bottles donated by JohnPaul's, and 2 bottles donated by Buffa's Restaurant & Bar. The Egg Raffles raised $315, stage performance tips $445 and door/VIP Table sales $455.

Celebrities donating their time and talents for the cause included King and Queen Amon-Ra XLV David Aranda and Countess C. Alice, Crystal Charbonnet, EGM IX Safonda Peters, Miss Elysian Fields Barbara Ella, Starr Daniels, Trixie Treats, Zsa Zsa D'LaHor, EGM VII Opal Masters. Gizelle Bouvier, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac, and EGM V Princesse Stephaney.

2nd Eggstravaganza Raises $1,808 for 11th Gay Easter Parade Benefiting Food For Friends

The 2nd Eggstravaganza Show & Auction, under the direction of Gay Easter Parade Board's Opal Masters raised $1,808 for the 11th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at Billy's in Slidell. The door brought in $550, stage performance tips $641, Egg Raffles $292, 50/50 raffle $110, Emerald Egg Auction $70, Green Basket Auction $55, Marilyn Monroe framed photo $40, Pop Big Mama's Balloon Breast Auction $35, and Flower Basket Action $15.

Celebrity MCs and stars Big Mama and King Cake Queen XVII Opal Masters led the field of entertainment including EGM XI Tittie Toulouse, Miss Louisiana Leatherette Cathy Fox, KCQ XVI Tami Tarmac, EGM IX Safonda Peters, EGM IV Electra City, Amon-Ra Prom Queen Alexis Daniels, and Miss Elysian Fields Barbara Ella. EGM XI Chuck Turner and partner Bill Miller, along with C&B Enterprises GM John Bowling, did an outstanding job decorating and providing a delicious buffet for the affair.

2009 Highlights

the "official" dish 10th Gay Easter Parade Raises an Astounding $15,518.75 for Food For Friends (see Page-4, 5)

celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Page-18)

snap paparazzi 10th Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals X Tony Leggio & Marcy Marcell Raises $15,518.75 for Food For Friends (see Page-22)

snap paparazzi 10th Gay Easter Parade Raises $15,518.75 for Food For Friends (see Page-40)

the "official" dish 8th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza Raises $3,255 for 10th Gay Easter Parade, 10th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception Raises $4,311 for 10th Gay Easter Parade at The Double Play (see Page-4)

the "official" dish Special Thanks from 10th Gay Easter Parade Board (see Page-6)

snap paparazzi 8th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza raises $3,255 for 10th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at JohnPaul’s (see Page-18)

snap paparazzi 10th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception raises $4,311 for 10th Gay Easter Parade benefiting Food For Friends at The Double Play (see Page-20)

celebrazzi Celebrations, Paparazzi (see Page-25)

the "official" dish 10th Purple Party Saturday, April 4 at The Double Play; 10th Gay Easter Parade Rolls Through the Streets of the French Quarter April 12; 7th Spring Fever Raises $1,674 for Easter Parade (see Page-4)

the "official" dish Three Major Fund-Raisers Left for 10th Gay Easter Parade, 10th Gay Easter Parade Sees Largest Increase in Sponsorships in Its History Benefiting Food For Friends (see Page-4)

the "official" dish 1st Eggstravaganza Raises $1,537 for 10th Gay Easter Parade (see Page-6)

the "official" dish Tony Leggio & Marcy Marcell to Lead 10th Gay Easter Parade (see Page-6)

The Parade for, by and from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community, showcases its culture, color and creativity. Parade attire includes tuxedos, summer suits or Easter dresses/suits with Easter hats/bonnets. Nudity or partial nudity is not allowed. Sexually explicit beads or throws of that nature are not allowed.

2008 Highlights

the "official" dish Largest Gay Easter Parade Rolls; $12,424.05 Raised for Food For Friends (see Main-4)

celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Main-10)

snap paparazzi 9th Official Gay Easter Parade led by Easter Grand Marshals IX Orlando Aloe & Safonda Peters (see Main-12)

snap paparazzi 9th Official Gay Easter Parade, Pre-Gay Easter Parade Party at Starlight (see Main-14)

snap paparazzi 9th Post-Gay Easter Parade Party at Society Page (see Main-24)

the "official" dish 9th Purple Party Easter Parade Grand Marshals Reception Raises $4,160.10 (see Main-4)

celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Main-10)

snap paparazzi 9th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception (see Main-16)

snap paparazzi 9th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception (see Main-23)

the "official" dish 9th Gay Easter Parade Rolls through the streets of the French Quarter, 6th Spring Fever Raises $3,211 for GEP, 7th Drag Extravaganza Raises $6,759 for Gay Easter Pasrade & Food For Friends (see Main-4)

celebrazzi Celebrations Paparazzi (see Main-14)

snap paparazzi 7th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza & Auction (see Main-16)

snap paparazzi 6th Spring Fever Gala & Auction (see Main-22)

the "official" dish 7th Super Star Studded Drag Extravaganza March 1, 9th Annual Purple Party March 8 (see Main-4)

the "official" dish Fund-raisers set for 9th Gay Easter Parade (see Main-4)

in the spotlight Orlando Aloe & Safonda Peters to Lead 9th Gay Easter Parade (see Expose-6)

Accommodations & Lodging
For Parade Information, contact Rip Naquin-Delain
info@gayeasterparade.com or call 504.522.8049
Official Gay Easter Parade
828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137
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