The 15th Annual Eagles Crazy Hat Party Sparks Mardi Gras Magic
The air in the hall was electric this past Friday night as the 15th Annual Eagles Crazy Hat Party kicked off. It proved once again that before the big parade rolls, the real party starts with a glue gun and a dream. A cornerstone of the local Mardi Gras season, this event has become the ultimate “eve of the parade” tradition. It successfully blends high-energy revelry with a touch of local heart.
A Night of Royalty and Revelry
The festivities ignited around 7:00 PM with the “Quirky Doo-Dah.” This was a spirited procession featuring both past and present Lighthouse Krewe royalty. The royal court moved through the hall in a sea of color, raining down the first beads of the weekend and setting the stage for the main event.
The Main Event: 90 Wonders on Display
This year saw a staggering 80+ crazy hat entries line up for the competition. Under the direction of emcee Big Jim Denys, each contestant was individually introduced to a roaring crowd. The creativity was boundless, featuring wild and crazy designs that defied gravity and logic alike.
As the contestants paraded past the judging table, the panel faced the difficult task of narrowing down a field of truly “wild and crazy” entries. After the final tally, the Top 15 finalists were lined up and honored for their creativity with hand-painted miniature beach chairs.
The tension in the room then peaked as Big Jim Denys narrowed the field even further to the final four, announcing the third, second, and first-place winners along with the highly coveted People’s Choice award. The top four recipients were presented with a custom, hand-made Lighthouse Trophy, a prestigious memento crafted specially to commemorate their win in this 15-year peninsula tradition.
The night concluded with the highly anticipated announcement of the Eagles 2026 King and Queen. Congratulations to Stan and Jan Genzel.
The Man Behind the Medallions: Big Jim Denys
While the hats are the stars, the soul of the event lies in the craftsmanship of Big Jim Denys. For 15 years, Jim has served as the official bead and trophy maker, creating unique mementos that participants cherish for a lifetime.
His dedication is visible in every piece. “I start in October each year making the awards for the following year,” says Jim.
This year’s hand-painted trophies included 15 miniature beach chairs, four custom Lighthouse replicas, and over a hundred hand-painted, bead-strung medallions given to the participants. These aren’t just trinkets; they are badges of honor.
Lots More Pictures
