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.

The Mystic Krewe of Apollo was first formed in New Orleans, Louisiana by Mr. Roland Dobson.  It was founded on the principles of fostering brotherhood, unity, and equality within the entire community. In 1976, Dobson brought these ideals to the cities of Birmingham, Alabama and Lafayette, Louisiana by forming the first "sister" Krewes, The Mystic Krewe of Apollo - Birmingham and The Krewe of Apollo de Lafayette.