The Mystic Krewe of Apollo was founded in New Orleans in 1969 to foster brotherhood, unity and equality within our community. The main function was to stage an annual Bal Masque during the Mardi Gras season.
In 1976. Apollo became a unique organization with the introduction of a sister krewe, Apollo de Lafayette. Founded and organized by Mr. Roland Dobson, the organization staged its first Bal Masque in 1977, “The Shady Ladies Ball.”
In keeping with our traditions, Apollo de Lafayette has staged the following annual Bal Masque:
II – 1978 – The Calendar Girls Ball
III – 1979 – The French Ball
IV – 1980 – Heaven on the Nile
V – 1981 – A Tribute to William Shakespeare
VI – 1982 – A Caravan to Xanadu
VII – 1983 – Camelot
VIII – 1984 – A Tribute to Roy G. Biv
IX – 1985 – Aztec Gods and Goddesses
X – 1986 – Rapture of the Deep
XI – 1987 – Fairy Tales and Nursery Rhymes
XII – 1988 – The Faberge Collection
XIII – 1989 – What’s Cooking
XIV – 1990 – Le Jardin Mystique
XV – 1991 – Music
XVI – 1992 – Snap Shots from Our Album
XVII – 1993 – Birds in a Gilded Cage
XVIII – January 14, 1994 – Proudly We Serve
XIX – February 10, 1995 – The Grand Tour – Travel Extraordinaire
XX – January 19, 1996 – Celebrating 20 Years of Apollo: I’ll Drink To That!
XXI – January 12, 1997 – Apollo’s Works D’Art
XXII – January 11, 1998 – The Apollo Tabloid: Inquiring Minds Need To Know!
XXIII – January 08, 1999 – Looking Good!
XXIV – January 27, 2000 – Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
XXV – January 19, 2001 – Our 25th Silver Anniversary Bal Masque
XXVI – December 31, 2001 – Let’s Party – New Years’ Eve 2002
XXVII – January 04, 2003 – Bug Off
XXVIII – January 29, 2004 – Sealed With A Kiss! The Apollo Stamp Collection
XXIX – January 7, 2005 – Strip Search
XXX – February 11, 2006 – We Will Rock You!
XXXI – Saturday, February 3, 2007 – “Weather or Not!”
XXXII- Monday, December 31, 2007 – God, Goddesses, Kings, and of course… Queens
XXXIII – Friday, February 20, 2009 – Apollo Explores the Western Frontier
XXXIV – Friday, February 12, 2010 – Best in Show!
XXXV – Saturday, February 19, 2011 – Apollo’s Body Art
XXXVI – Saturday, February 4, 2012 – Apollo’s Big Toy Box
XXXVII – Saturday, January 26, 2013 – Apollo’s Lost Jungle
XXXVIII – Saturday, February 15, 2014 – Apollo’s Comic Book
XXXIX – Saturday, January 31, 2015 – Cirque D’ Apollo
XL – Saturday, January 23, 2016 – Forty Years of Fabulous – Our Ruby Anniversary
XLI – Saturday February 11, 2017 – Apollo’s Yellow Brick Road
XLII – Saturday January 27, 2018 – Lights, Cameras, Apollo!!
XLIII – Saturday February 16, 2019 – Cruising the High Seas
XLIV – Saturday February 8, 2020 – Apollo’s Mixtape
XLV – Saturday February 12, 2022 – Score!
XLVI – Saturday February 4, 2023 – Apollo Pops!
XLVII – Saturday January 27, 2024 – Between the Covers
Through its forty-four years of existence, the Mystic Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette has grown in membership and activities. As of this date, the Krewe has a membership of one hundred nine men. Each year, the Krewe holds a “rush” party to invite interested gay men into membership. The Krewe holds monthly meetings and yearly events, such as the Decadent Party and Mr. and Miss Apollo Contest and participates/donates to several community charitable activities, such as, The Best Dressed Ball, Red Ribbon Day, Friends United, Red Ribbon Bal , Habitat for Humanity, Pink Party, The Children’s Shelter, Halloween New Orleans, Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, Festival International de Louisiane, Alzheimer’s Association and Acadiana Cares.
The forty-two coronation balls to date have inducted seventy nine members to royalty status. This regal bond has resulted in the formation of a unique group within our Krewe, The Royalty Club. Only two members have held the title of both King and Queen Apollo.
Apollo’s history has established its reputation of splendor, creativeness and gaiety in Lafayette. This reputation has also been sustained in other cities with the formation of associate krewes. We are honored to congratulate Apollo Baton Rouge, Apollo Birmingham, Apollo New Orleans, and Apollo Alexandria.
The Mystic Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette continues tradition this year as a member of the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association. This alliance with the community will strengthen the Mardi Gras season in the city of Lafayette. We thank this association for their support of the Krewe of Apollo.