[StBernard] New Knights of Nemesis Wants to Parade Feb. 19

[Westley Annis]

New Knights of Nemesis Wants to Parade Feb. 19

January 5 , 2006

By: Steve Cannizaro


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Billy Showalter said he doesn't want to let the destruction brought by
Hurricane Katrina prevent his Carnival group, the Knights of Nemesis Social
Club, from holding its first parade in St. Bernard Parish this year.

Showalter, president of the organization that formed more than a year ago,
said the group is planning a 1 p.m. parade on Sunday, Feb. 19, the first
weekend of the annual Carnival celebration. Mardi Gras is Feb. 28.

"For the love of the parish'' would be the reason for holding the parade,
said Showalter. Other parishes are continuing the Carnival tradition despite
Katrina, he said, and he believes St. Bernard should.

St. Bernard had two parades for years, the krewes of Gladiators and
Aphrodite, and last year a third joined in, the Krewe of Arabi. None of
those krewes have indicated they will parade this year, leaving the new
Knights of Nemesis as possibly the parish's only Carnival parade in 2006.

Showalter said his group will have 150-200 men and will hold a parade of at
least 12 floats, although it might be hard to find many bands or marching
groups, he said.

He also said the club's first Royal Knight, equivalent to a king in other
organizations, will be state Sen. Walter Boasso of Arabi and its Goddess,
equivalent to a queen, will be Showalter's daughter, Krista Showalter
Kamlade.

Showwalter also his club wants to start its parade on Paris Road at St.
Bernard Highway and go to West Judge Perez and turn to the Super Wal-Mart
area.

However, no final plans have been approved by Sheriff Jack Stephens, whose
department would have to be involved in traffic control.

Showalter said the group is charging $125 to ride and anyone interested can
contact him at 583-3998.