Mystic Krewe of Zeus crowns new king, queen at Mardi Gras ball at Saenger
The Mystic Krewe of Zeus gathered on the Friday before Fat Tuesday at the historic Saenger Theater, to crown their new King, Zeus LXXXIII, and his queen, the organization announced in a release.
The approach to the Saenger was lit up with Mardi Gras colors of patterned lights around the historic building. Once inside, the audience experienced the traditional coronation excitement fueled by the pre-show musical selections hand-picked by Zeus LXXXII, Michael Eugene McElroy, in honor of 100 years of the Mystic Krewe of Zeus. The musical director for the evening was Tammy Strahan Mansfield.
The evening officially began as the auditorium lights went black, and the house band kicked in with a boisterous repertoire of country music. As the curtains parted, a picturesque western town was revealed. The town provided a backdrop for the monarchal seating and the scripted merriment that would entertain the Royalty, Krewe members, and guests at the “Royal Roundup”.
Piercing searchlights began a country-rock light show as Troubadors, Allen Gregory Holifield and Rachel Claire Stevens, crooned some familiar tunes to the delight of the audience. Joining them were the Royal Dancers, AKA the Homegrown Honeys, Molly Preston Phillips, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Preston Phillips, and Natalie Dodd Thieling, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Craig Andrew Thieling. They wore matching red satin ruffled skirts, white eyelet shirred off-the-shoulder blouses, and black-felt cowgirl hats.
The emcee, Jonathan Scofield Yarrington, welcomed everyone to the century-old tradition of the Hattiesburg Mardi Gras season. With its inception in 1924, the Mystic Krewe of Zeus was celebrating its 100th year with the coronation of King Zeus LXXXIII. The masked Captains of the Krewe, taking part in the Coronation, were introduced. They were: Dr. George Joshua Blair, Stephen Chase Blankenship, Dr. John David Bullock, Brian James Carver, Burnice Wesley Curry III, Honorable Burnice Wesley Curry IV, Dr. Robert Carrington Dews, Jr., Jonathan Lester Duhon, Dr. Frederick O’Neal Gregg, Daniel Herring Jussely, Harry Garrison McArthur, Dr. Joseph Troy McIntire, Jr., Dr. Joseph Preston Phillips, Dr. Charles David Richardson II, Dr. John Boone Roberson, Samuel Jaron Sackler, Joseph Strom Shifalo, Dr. Raymond Young Whitehead, and the Captain of the Captains, Douglas Wesley Rouse III.
"As we celebrated our nostalgic past, we paid tribute to the past Kings and Queens of the Krewe who were able to be in attendance," the organization announced.
They were introduced both on stage and seated in the reserved royal boxes.
An exceptional welcome was given to Zeus LXXXII, Michael Eugene McElroy Jr. and his Queen, Mary Moore Widemire. Once seated in the royal box, the formalities commenced.
With much fanfare, King Zeus LXXXIII, James Sparkman Walker Sr., stepped into the limelight. The new monarch was bedecked in the traditional Zeus King’s knee-length tunic, edged in jewels of silver and gold. His mantle and robe were elaborately embellished with silver and golden jewels and paillettes. As the new King "coursed the stage, the crowd rose to their feet with excitement." "His royal crown shimmered in the spotlight as his majesty, waving his royal scepter acknowledging his loyal subjects, moved to center stage and called his royal court to join him," the organization announced.
Leading the King’s Court was Grand Marshal, Forrest David Roberts III, followed by the King’s Royal Captains, Steven Embrey Moore and John Moyers White, Sr. The Standard Bearers were Robert Cooper Callaway, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carter Callaway, and Wilford Albert Payne IV, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilford Albert Payne III. The Court Heralds were Andrew Fisher Kern and Thomas Parker Weeks, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Stephen Kern and Mr. and Mrs. John Thomas Weeks. The King’s Pages were Jackson Hunter Howard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter Whitney Howard, and Luke Roberts Olmstead, son of Dr. and Mrs. Blake Robert Olmstead. The King’s Prince and Princess were Cole Alan Shifalo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Strom Shifalo, and Katherine Adelle Roberts, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest David Roberts III.
As the king assumed his seat upon his throne, "her Majesty, Caroline Adele Azar, gracefully approached, receiving accolades from the exuberant celebrants."
For her coronation, the queen was "resplendent in a gown crafted of ivory silk peau de soie. With emerald-green chosen as the Queen’s color of choice, the entire gown was adorned with rhinestones and stones of a beautiful emerald hue. The emerald-colored stones were arranged in shapes of a paisley pattern. The gown was fashioned in the mermaid style, with a flowing train, covered with rhinestones and emerald-hued stones. The straps were fashioned of oversized rhinestones held in antique-gold settings. The bodice possessed a sweetheart neckline and a plunging back, also outlined with antique-gold encased rhinestones."
To commemorate the 100th year of the Mystic Krewe of Zeus, she drew inspiration for the design for her coronation gown from gowns worn by former queens.
The new Queen’s Court was led by her Grand Marshal, Dr. Charles Robert Moore, and followed by her Royal Captains, Dr. Eric Wiggins Enger and Dr. Joe Hand Campbell, Jr. The Queen’s Ladies-in-Waiting were, McKay Moore Gregg, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frederick O’Neal Gregg, and Caroline Campbell Moore, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Robert Moore. The Royal Jewel Bearers were Ann Farris Pattie and Anna Elease Russum, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Zachry Adam Pattie and Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Neely Russum. The Queen’s Pages were Brianne Harper Compton and Claire Camille Nichols, daughters of the Drs. Astrid and Nathan Lyle Compton and Drs. Margaret and Jonathan Robert Nichols, Sr. The Queen’s Prince was Stephen August Worrel III, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen August Worrel, Jr., and the Queen’s Princess was Franklin Moreau Stratos-Murphey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Moreau Murphey.
As the crowd rose, King Zeus LXXXIII began his royal trek through the auditorium with pomp and pageantry. Followed by the members of his court, the King paused at the Royal Boxes, giving prominence to the former royalty. He bowed to his family and honored guests, acknowledged the cheers of his royal subjects, and returned to the stage to await his Queen.
The Queen’s Grand Marshal led her Majesty’s procession on her queenly promenade. Her father, Zeus LXXVIII, Dr. George James Azar III, escorted the new Queen, as she paused and curtseyed to the former royalty, the new Monarch’s family, and her family. "After receiving and acknowledging the tumultuous cheers of approval, her Majesty returned to the stage," the organization said.
The young queen was presented to her king, and together they paraded to centerstage where the queen knelt on a gold satin pillow for the much-anticipated crowning ceremony. The king placed the royal crown on his new queen and presented her with her royal scepter. With the presentation of the royal goblet and the royal scepters, the new monarchs accepted confirmation from Krewe members. The crown and the scepter received by the new queen were the same ones used by her sister, Camille Azar Callaway, when she was crowned Queen to Zeus LXXX, James Earnest Duff.
The majesties assumed their appointed places on the thrones, strategically placed in the picturesque western town with the Royal Court assembled around them, to enjoy the high-spirted boisterous fun to come.
The western town came to life with "cows mooing, horses neighing, and pigs squealing."
Down on the farm, the farmer and his wife were always working to feed and care for the animals. Farms are always full of activity when there are chickens and roosters, goats and sheep, and Herefords and bulls. The children appearing down on the farm, all children of Krewe members were Adriana Kathryn Barquero, Charles David Barrett, Lucy Mae Boyd, Amelia Grace Cameron, Vivian Vallie Carver, Paul Gipson Dornan, Evelyn Grace Johnson, Mary Isaac Kling, Allie Garrett Morgan, Findley Carter Myers, Hollis Lee Myers, George Henry Parker, Aubrey Joyce Rose, Kimberly Grace Smith, Ann Hudson Starrett, Eleanor Mae Tuttle, and Dorothy Sue Tuttle.
Hoedown music and do-si-dos and face-the-sides square dancing were all going on.
"There’s nothing like dancing with a group of your friends to some good ole boot scootin’ music. With their belts tightened on their tight blue jean, and their spurs polished off, the Urban Cowboys got the western town a jumpin’," the organization stated.
The group of dancing cowboys were Krewe kids: Tomas Butler Barquero, Mary Allston Bennett, Louis Grant Bennett, Jr., Loxley Elle Berry, Chloe Ann Bishop, Jackson Ellis Cochran, Lillian Kate Cochran, Caroline Keene Hall, Jace Strong Henderson, Ryder Ellen Henderson, Shepherd Lee Keene, Cameron Claire Moore, Arden Virginia Payne, Virginia Sayle Roberson, Rainey Louise Roberson, Brian Graham Starrett, Madeline Louise Tuttle, Maria Malone Walker, Mary McKenzie Walker, and Bette Hazel Worrel.
In keeping with tradition, this year the Krewe welcomed some distinguished new members to its ranks, costumed as some of the most memorable western figures. Known as dignitaries, they joined the Royal Roundup to pay their respects to the new king and queen. Every town in the wild West needed a sheriff, and the Krewe's Sheriff was Dignitary, Kenneth Joseph Bishop, Sr. Accompanying him were two notorious villains, Ladies-in-Waiting, Olivia Davis Smith and Mary McKean Strickland. Dignitary, Alejandro Carlos Barquero, was the historical American folk hero Davy Crockett. Providing some rodeo shenanigans, was new dignitary, the Rodeo Clown, Travis Kole Redd.
One of the most famous figures of the American West was Buffalo Bill. His character teamed up with sharp-shooter Annie Oakley to pay homage to King Zeus LXXXIII and his new queen. Buffalo Bill, in the personage of Dignitary, Lawrence Louis Brewer, Jr. accompanied, Lady-in-Waiting, Anna Caston Keene, onto the stage. The gold rush led to the growth of the West with prospectors hoping to “strike it rich." Prospector, Dignitary, Zachary Paul Royals, found Zeus gold in escorting Golden girls, Ladies-in-Waiting, Cameron Cooper Bevon and Sanders Christine Inman. The next pair of dignitaries were a "prickly pair" of close acquaintances, Dignitaries, Brandon Walker Sullivan and Jason Oliver Harvey. They ushered in Lady-in-Waiting, Hayden McKenzie Shifalo, camouflaged as a cactus.
The next Cowboys were classics from television and the movies. Dignitary, Dr. Hunter McMinn Hawkins, was disguised as Clint Eastwood. Sheriff Matt Dylan and his lady-in-waiting were Dignitary, Charles Cole Gressett and Emily Cade Koennen.
"The Lone Ranger, the daring masked rider of the plains, and, Tonto, his faithful companion, were Dignitaries, William Chad Pattie and Eli Parson Popicg."
The frontier woodsman, Grizzly Adams, was Dignitary, Joshua James Sutton, and his best friend, Ben the Bear, was Dignitary, Dr. James Brian Jackson.
"Every good cowboy needs a good horse. Galloping on stage and costumed as a mighty steed, were Dignitaries, Scott Michael Berry and Donald Lee Cave, Jr. Even a mighty steed needs new shoes. Their spectacular New Shoe was Lady-in-Waiting, Vivian Lowery Bishop. Our hillbilly zillionaires, better known as Jed Clampett and Granny, were Dignitaries Carl Davis Parker and William Moreau Murphey," the organization announced.
"You can’t think about the West without country music," the organization continued.
Entering the stage and bowing to the new monarchs were some of the legendary figures from the country charts. Posing as the legendary man in black, Johnny Cash, was Dignitary, Steven Dale McLemore, and by his side was June Carter, Lady-in-Waiting, Livia Kathleen Shemper. The next pair that created musical magic together and became members of the Country Music Hall of Fame were Conway Twitty, Dignitary, Myers Lee Marshall, and Loretta Lynn, Lady-in-Waiting, Olivia Kate Breazeale. Dignitary, James Alston Owen, Jr., was disguised as Meridian, Mississippi, native Jimmie Rodgers. Strolling with him was Patsy Cline, our Lady-in-Waiting, Amelia Blythe Dillenkoffer. Masquerading as Glenn Campbell, "our own Rhinestone Cowboy, was Dignitary, Kristopher Thomas Mangum."
The next musical duo were Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. The popular pair was new member Thomas Paul Sims, and Lady-in-Waiting, Claire Moran Hallman. Last but certainly not least, the “King of the Cowboys” and the “Queen of the West”, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, strolled down stage and bowed to the new Monarchs. They were portrayed by Dignitary. Richard Alan Myers, and Lady-in-Waiting, Ann Lillian Roberson.
"Tonight, royalty was paying homage to royalty," the organization stated.
With the introduction complete of this year’s dignitaries, it was time for the presentation of the Maids and Dukes of the Royal Court of King Zeus LXXXIII. The maids, in gowns of individual design, were Carmen Janae Brown, Addison Blair Dyess, Abigail Marie Farris, Clara Jane Granberry, Madeline Randolph Hinton, Virginia Hyde Hopson, Kaitlyn Ivey Kindel, Sarah Crosby McKay, Madeline Davis Molpus, and Abigayle Roberts Talbot.
The dukes, in black tie, were Jackson Forrester Graham, Caleb Graham McCarty, Dylan Matthew McClain, Jackson David McGee, Gray Spivey Phillips, Layton Thomas Pitts, William Michael Reno, Williamson John Shappley, and Caden Edward Zaremba. After completing their promenade throughout the auditorium, the maids and dukes returned to the stage and took their appointed places in the Royal Court.
With his royal court assembled, his Majesty called for the royal families to come forward and be introduced to the glitz group gathering.
The coronation of King Zeus LXXXIII culminated with a traditional Mardi Gras parade that was led by the Grand Marshals and Royal Captains of the Royal Court. Trailing close behind, were the jubilant dignitaries. All paradors were tossing trinkets and colorful beads to the celebrating merrymakers. The evening’s festivities ended with the king inviting guests to greet the new monarchs on stage and commanding his subjects to partake in the festivities at the royal ball.
Special recognition was given to Dr. John Michael Lopinto, director of the 2024 coronation.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mystic Krewe of Zeus crowns new king, queen at Mardi Gras ball
