The festival was managed by an outside promotion company, The Music Group for the first five years. In 1995 a committee of Zulu members was formed to manage the festival. The chairman of the committee from 1995 to 1996 was Gary Thornton, the current president of the organization. Under his leadership the festival began to show considerable promise. Lester Pollard Jr. became chairman of this committee in 1997 and under his leadership, the festival has continued it's growth and expanded to include a second entertainment stage at the Aquarium Plaza and the introduction of a press conference to announce the event.
Nick Harris, Chairman of the Public relations committee for Zulu, and Lester Pollard, Jr. conceived the idea of the press conference to highlight the Zulu characters and the entertainment. All of these contributions has added greatly to the success of this activity.
The Zulu Lundi Gras Committee continues to this day to provide the best entertainment possible at the festival. The current committee members are from Left to right on the provided
picture;
Waymon Jones, this season's Big Stuff and one of the 7 characters elected to that post this season. Clarence Becknell, one of the two club historians, his knowledge of club matters is extensive. Next is Zulu brother, Earl Hankton, next is Nick Harris. Mr. Harris is the chairman of the Public Relations Committee, which over sees all public responses from the club. Center is Lester Pollard, Jr. the current Chairman of the Lundi Gras Committee, he is credited with bringing the festival to it's current level, with more growth to come. Next is brother Robert Muse, then Josh Lebranc, followed by Cornelius Garner. Finally we have Edward "Buck" Simms, the 2000 season witchdoctor, and Larry Hammond.
There are some brothers that are not pictured. They are; Tony Barker, Herbert McCarver, George Rainey, Ike Wheeler, the current chair of the organization, Gary Thornton, Michael Johnson, Iley Coleman.
Zulu's 2004 Lundi Gras | History of Zulu's Lundi Gras Festival!
Special thanks to the
Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, Inc.
732 N. Broad Street
New Orleans LA 70119
(504) 822-9571