Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler

from Mississippi Coast National Heritage Area | Winter 2022 Newsletter

Deck the Hulls; Christmas on the Water: The Coast Tradition

The museum began as the Biloxi Mardi Gras Museum, a small display in the offices of the Gulf Coast Carnival Association. Today it is a vast collection of costumes and memorabilia from over 20 different krewes. In 2019, the museum was renamed the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum and expanded our mission to promote and preserve the majestic 113-year history of Mardi Gras across the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast. A visit to the museum’s new location on Howard Avenue in downtown Biloxi is an invitation to explore the rich history of royalty, krewes, costumes and parades that make Mardi Gras the most magical time of year in Coastal Mississippi.

Our history begins in the 1880s when Mardi Gras in Coastal Mississippi was a loose community celebration, including parading and parties. March 3, 1908, the City of Biloxi mounted its first city sponsored parade marking the official beginning of Mardi Gras in Mississippi.

This first parade was led by the reigning royalty King Bienville, later changed to King d’Iberville, and Queen Ixolib, which is Biloxi spelled backwards. It also included a Grand Marshal, 17 floats, 50 flambeau carriers and the Herald Newspaper’s 12-piece band. The annual parade was formalized into an organization in 1916 when the Biloxi Carnival and Literary Association was incorporated. As the celebration spread beyond Biloxi, this group was renamed the Gulf Coast Carnival Association making it the oldest carnival organization in Mississippi.

Since 1908, the celebration has grown to include over 35 different krewes across the three coastal counties of Hancock, Harrison and Jackson. The word krewe was first coined by the Krewe of Comus in New Orleans and is a private social club dedicated to the celebration of Mardi Gras. In 1922 the ladies krewe of Les Masquees was formed in Biloxi making it the first private krewe in the State of Mississippi. Les Masquees was quickly followed by the first men’s krewe, the Krewe of Mithras who held their first ball in Biloxi in 1924.

Mardi Gras has a storied history in Coastal Mississippi. For 27 years, the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum has welcomed visitors to learn about the unique story of Mississippi Mardi Gras. The celebration of Mardi Gras has grown from small community parades to an extensive group of clubs and krewes celebrating with numerous balls, parties and parades. As Mardi Gras has grown, so has the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum.

Each krewe or organization puts on an annual coronation ball featuring a king, queen and royal court. Every ball has its own theme which is reflected in the decorations and custom-made costumes for that event. Each costume is designed for the royal wearer and the theme they are representing. Courts usually include pairs of six to eight dukes and maids, each representing a specific theme. Krewes often keep their themes and royalty a secret until the night of Coronation Ball. Krewes create their own unique rules and customs, making every ball a one-of-a-kind experience. Coronation balls include an elaborate tableaux where the royalty is presented to the membership and invited guests. After the presentation, revelers enjoy a dance. Balls, luncheons and parties are held throughout the carnival season.

While not everyone can be a royal or participate in a coronation ball, museum visitors can get a taste of the pageantry trying on costumes in our interactive Education Collection. The collection includes actual capes, trains, tunics, headpieces and mantles. After touring the museum and seeing the costume displays, visitors can try on and enjoy being king or queen for the day!

Another important part of Mardi Gras is the parades and the throws. The museum has an extensive collection of throws, beginning with the glass beads used in the 1930s. Glass beads changed to plastic beads and collectable commemorative doubloons in the 1960s. Doubloons are small metal coins created annually by krewes and organizations. One side of the doubloon features the group’s logo while the other showcase’s the particular year’s theme. The small plastic beads have evolved to include elaborate custom medallion beads, cups, stuffed animals and more! Throws are one of the most exciting parts of a parade leaving parade goers clamoring for the best catch.

Carnival season only happens once a year, but a visit to the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum allows you to experience the excitement all year long. Laissez les bons temps rouler!