Gulf Coast Carnival Assoc. Makes Final Preps for Mardi Gras
After a full year of preparations, the Coast’s oldest krewe is ready to roll on Tuesday for the 107th time. The Gulf Coast Carnival Association puts on one of the biggest parades on the Coast, and organizers say it gets bigger and better every year. Richard Schmidt, Captain of Carnival, says, "Over the years, more and more people come out. It’s one of the greatest free shows on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and families come out."
This year, King D’Iberville is David Files Riemann. The Riemann family name is quite familiar on the Coast. He is the owner of Riemann Family Funeral Homes, with five locations on the Coast, and he is excited to serve as this year’s king. Riemann says, "It’s been a legacy that’s been going on for 107 years. It’s just an awesome tradition and it’s great to be doing this."
This year, Alexa Carter will be crowned as Queen Ixolib. Carter is currently pursuing a music career in Nashville, but still calls the Coast home. Being Queen Ixolib has been a dream of Carter’s for years, ever since her sister was crowned. She says, "It’s been an incredible experience. It means the world to me. I’ve probably been an emotional wreck this whole weekend because it’s just been an honor."
While the weather was not kind to last year’s parade, the Carnival Association is hopeful for bluer skies for Fat Tuesday. The tides have turned on last week’s forecast and parade goers can expect chilly, but clear skies for the parades. The Carnival Association is expecting a big turnout. Riemann closes, "We want the whole Gulf Coast to come out tomorrow for our parade. The sun is going to shine on us!"
Over 100 units will roll in Tuesday’s parade and an estimated one million beads will hit the streets. The parade will start at the corner of Howard Avenue and Caillavet Street in Biloxi at 1 p.m.
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