Courtesy of Mardi Gras Inc.
The festival king, called the Rex, is required to wear a purple robe and crown, and generally avoid embarrassing the board.
Soulard's Mardi Gras celebration has happened every year since 1980, but that doesn't make it a sure thing. Its existence depends on the approval of a majority of the Mardi Gras Inc. board members, who hold an annual vote on the initiative during an event called 12th Night. The lively demonstration will take place this Friday, January 6, the day of Epiphany and 12 days after Christmas.
The Mardi Gras celebration consists of the Beggin’ Pet Parade, Weiner Dog Derby, and assorted events leading up to Fat Tuesday, February 28.
Mack Bradley, president and foreign minister of the Mardi Gras Foundation, says that the board carefully considers the decision to throw the party each year. “People come in from the neighborhood," he says. "They petition the board to please vote 'yes'... They will read a poem, sing a song, do a dance, or try to bribe the board members with beer.”
No one said this was an unimpeachable democratic process.
“The tension, of course, is always riveting,” says Bradley. Even though the board has a track record of being pro-party, Bradley warns that past years' votes are not predictors of this year's outcome. Every year, at least one "no" vote sneaks in.
“You never want it to be unanimous,” he says. “Then it looks rigged.”
Courtesy of Mardi Gras Inc.
Participants appeal to the board with a group tune.
After a closed deliberation session, the board announces its decision from the steps of Johnny’s Restaurant and Bar.
“If it was a no vote, we would probably just stay at Johnny’s and drink all night,” Bradley says.
Should the vote be in favor of Mardi Gras, a peaceful transition of power from last year’s festival king (called the Rex) to the current one takes place. (The Rex is required to wear a purple robe and crown, and generally avoid embarrassing the board.) A small parade-like procession usually follows, beginning from Johnny’s and moving from restaurant to restaurant.
“You gain people along the way,” says Bradley. At each place, the owner comes out, the board and marchers drink a toast to the start of Mardi Gras season, and then the whole procession moves on to the next spot."
At the intersection of Soulard and Seventh streets, revelers hoist a flag, which stays up until midnight on the morning of Ash Wednesday.
“If we have enough money, we do fireworks," says Bradley. "If not, we just cheer."
12th Night starts at 5 p.m. at Johnny’s, located at 1017 Russell.
