It was eleven years ago when the first Mrs. Roper Romp took place as a parade theme at Southern Decadence in New Orleans. Ever since it’s turned into the reason for millions to gather all over the globe to impersonate the beloved “Three’s Company” character Helen Roper. Jessica Cassel is one of the organizers for Friday’s Romp in downtown Thibodaux.
“Everybody dresses like her. She had red curly hair and a kaftan. Men and women both dressed in the kaftans. It’s just fun to all get together,” said Cassel.
And there’s also a Mrs. Roper Romp Pub Crawl in downtown Shreveport this Friday. Both begin at 6 pm.
Cassel said now is the time to get your curly red wig and kaftan ready to romp.
“It’s basically like Halloween, everybody dressing the same. Same but different, like putting their own spin on it basically. That’s what we’re trying to do, we’re just trying to live the kaftan life for a little while just to be fun, fun and free,” said Cassel.
Last year Cassel held her own Mrs. Roper Romp with friends and played Bingo. Then Amplify Events asked her to help organize Friday’s Pub Crawl. She’s hoping in the future they can combine annual Romps with fundraisers for charity.
“Right now, I think we’re just trying to feel it out and see how many people are interested and it looks like it’s gaining some momentum,” said Cassel.
In January a Krewe of Mrs. Ropers paraded in Lafayette and in April there was a Romp in Lake Charles.
