The New Carnival Company CIC is searching for a very special man to lead its Midsummer Mardi Gras parade on Saturday 29th June.
Rex, King of Carnival, is a traditional character from the New Orleans annual Mardi Gras celebrations and is chosen each year by the organisers of the famous Rex Parade. The New Carnival Company’s King of Carnival will preside over their event from his specially crafted throne atop the Boeuf Gras (fattened cow) associated with the feasts of Shrove Tuesday, the traditional date for the Mardi Gras.
Frankie Goldspink, Learning and Participation manager for the New Carnival Company said:
“We are looking for someone who has been involved in carnival for some time and has contributed to the success of carnival on the Isle of Wight. He can be an organiser, performer, float builder, a steward or simply an avid supporter who deserves recognition for his role on the carnival scene. The successful candidate will be over 19 years, be prepared to dress up (costume supplied!) and have a head for heights as the throne will be carried atop our own Boeuf Gras float at a height of about 4 metres off the ground!”
The New Carnival Company changed the name of its annual Arts Parade (founded 2003) to Midsummer Mardi Gras following a Facebook poll earlier this year involving schools and community groups. Frankie continued by saying:
“The spirit of Mardi Gras is all about colour, movement, happiness and celebration and that is very much the ethos of our parade. This year for the first time, audiences will experience our new signature lead float which was inspired by a trip to New Orleans in February this year. We want to create an identity which sets the Midsummer Mardi Gras apart from the other carnival events on the Island.”
The search for Rex starts here! You can nominate a friend or colleague, or even yourself if you feel fit and worthy! Just send your name and name of the nominee, your contact email and phone number and describe in no more than 200 words why this person should be chosen to play Rex, King of Carnival 2013. Email to [email protected].
The deadline for nominations is 9am 17 June and the winner will be announced later that week.
