King and Queen Apollo XXXI Host Annual Brunch

Members of the Krewe, friends, family, and out of town guests gathered at noon to talk over the previous evening's Bal Masque and catch up with each other.  Following a traditional new orleans style buffy, with "grits bar", red beans and rice and gumbo, those in attendance waited for another tradition.  The presentation of awards to krewe members for their efforts in the categories of Best Tables, Best Costume, Best Masks, and the "Spirit of Mardi Gras" Award for Best Umbrella, Team Spirit Awards, "Top Sales" in Advertising, the "King and Queen's Choice Award" and the most prestigious award of the day, the Member of the Year award.

King and Queen Apollo XXXII with Captain John Hurley

It started almost one year ago when, from his hospital bed, John Hurley presented his vision for Bal Masque XXXII.  With the approval of the Board of Directors, that vision began to become a reality with the assistance of his three hard-working and capable lieutenants, Chris Cochran, Matthew Smith, and Garry Peace.

As the weeks passed, Captain Hurley and the rest of the Krewe set out raising funds for Bal Masque XXXII - Apollo's Wide World of Sports.  First up was the annual "Dine & Do" Tailgate party and auction.  Following that, the members prepared for the Mr. & Miss Apollo Birmingham Pageant and, to their unexpected pleasure the Mr. & Miss National Apollo Pageant.  As December rolled around, characters in the tableau were finalized and costumes were being built and Krewe members began finalizing guests lists as the Krewe presented their annual Holiday Tour of Homes.

Paul Billings, Jennie Hurley, and Captain John Hurley

After the Christmas holidays, it was "crunch time."  Though the ball was being held two weeks later this year, advertising sales for the souvenir ball program had to help push the funding up over the projected budget.  As January came to a close, the ball program was off to the publisher and members could get down to finalizing their plans for the huge celebration on February 16, 2008.