It’s that time of year again.  The season where the colors green, gold and purple decorate the entire city.  The season where you can find beads hanging around someone’s neck, in a tree, or off of a balcony.  The season where you will hear shouts of “Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler” from locals and tourists alike.  That’s right everyone — it’s Carnival time in Natchez!

The Krewe of Phoenix is thrilled to announce our upcoming events for our 36th Mardi Gras Season.  Our board has been working hard since June to bring Natchez a packed festival time for all.

Our annual Call Out Ball will be from 8 p.m. until midnight on Jan. 20 at the Natchez City Auditorium. This year’s theme is “South of the Border” and will be led by our wonderful Raul Pete Cantu, Rex XXXVI, and Donna Corley Sessions, Rosalie XXXVI.

For just $15 for non-members, you can enjoy watching our entire royalty show off their dancing skills as each couple struts their stuff to a different Latin theme. Performances will start at 8 p.m. on the dot, so doors will open one hour before the event with a cash bar available.  After the krewe provides some entertainment to begin your night, you can dance the night away to the cover band Almost Famous out of Memphis, Tenn. No one under 21 may stay after the call out presentation!

To avoid the craziness at the door, you may purchase call out ball tickets and drink tickets before the night of the event.  If you are interested in pre-purchasing any of your tickets, please contact Call Out Ball Chairman Jennifer Smith at jenniferjonessmith74@yahoo.com.

The next big event that we are proud to present is on Friday, February 9 — the Krewe of Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade.  This year, the parade will be a night parade, beginning at 6 p.m. The Krewe of Phoenix is thrilled to announce that our parade will be led by our Grand Marshal Wyatt Waters of Clinton. Waters is a renowned watercolor artist, with his painting mostly depicting Southern culture — his home state of Mississippi being the main focus. Waters also collaborates often with Robert St. John, a chef out of Hattiesburg. The two have done several cookbooks that feature Waters’ paintings and St. John’s recipes.

All groups wishing to enter a float should contact Parade Chairman Curtis Moroney at 601-392-9007. There is no sign-up fee, and all entries must be real floats (no utility trailers).

The Krewe of Phoenix asks that you please do not park anywhere on Broadway Street at any time on that Friday, including during the parade, so that we can line up the floats as well as have them come back to Broadway Street after the parade.

And finally, the Krewe of Phoenix will host our annual Grand Ball, which will be from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Feb. 10 at the Natchez Convention Center.  Join the royalty and krewe at our last big ball, which is sure to be a night of food, dancing, and fun. We will be “Livin’ La Vida Loca” to the music of Rockin Dopsie, Jr. & the Zydeco Sisters. Non-members may by tickets at the door for $65 which includes food and drinks (must be 21 or older to attend Grand Ball).

Always a favorite during every Mardi Gras season, make sure to mark your calendar for the Grand Ball now!

We are thrilled to invite everyone in the Miss-Lou to what has become three long standing traditions in our community.  We hope to see you all out at least one event and wish you all a happy Mardi Gras!
Lauren Burns is the Social Media and Newsletter Chairman for the 2017–2018 Krewe of Phoenix Executive Board.