The Sunday morning crowd at Victor’s Cafeteria had not yet poured in when a royal gathering of merrymakers from the Mystic Krewe of Iberians and the Krewe of Andalusia gathered on 12th night, Jan. 6, to celebrate carnival in New Iberia. 

“We are kicking off the Mardi Gras season. Today is the feast of Epiphany, which ends Christmas and starts the season,” said Amy Russell, 2018 Queen of the Mystic Krewe of Iberians.

“It’s the first time — ever — we’ve done this,” Paul Schexnayder, 2018 King of the Mystic Krewe of Iberians said.

The significance of the 12th-night after the celebrated day of the birth of Jesus is symbolically represented throughout Mardi Gras, though many in the culture are not aware of that. The king cake with the hidden baby represents the search by three kings, the three-braid pastry. According to the website MardiGrasNewOrleans.com, purple, green and gold are traditional colors for king cake icing and all things Mardi Gras. In 1892, the Rex parade theme “Symbolism of Colors” gave meaning to the traditional use of purple representing justice, green for faith and gold as power.

“Since we were kids, drinking weak café au lait on our grandmere’s knees, we’ve been taught that Rex selected the official Mardi Gras colors in 1872 to honor the visiting Russian Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich Romanoff,” the website said. “While researching a book for the 125th anniversary of the Rex organization, famous local historian Errol Flynn Laborde discovered the truth behind these colors.  It’s too complicated to explain to your friends, especially if you’re watching parades with Bloody Marys in hand, so here’s an abbreviated version of why everything from polo shirts and headbands to donuts and king cakes are purple, green and gold this time of year.”

Mystic Krewe of Iberians and the Krewe of Andalusia, both named for the Spanish heritage of the Teche Area, gathered last year’s royalty and captains to toast the 2019 season. The French heritage contributes “Laissez les bons temps rouler” (let the good times roll). In France the season refers to eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lent, accompanied with sumptuous public celebrations or parades (les carnavals) takes place in many French towns and schools.

“These are the oldest two men’s krewes in New Iberia,” said Schexnayder.

Kelly Romero, Queen of the Krewe of Andalusia, was unable to join the breakfast toast, but members of the royal society of former kings and queens are already discussing enlarging the group to include all past royalty that choose to come in future years. Only one of the two co-captains of the Mystic Krewe of Iberians, Wess Robison, was able to attend. The other is Parker Templeton.

The medallion Schexnayder wore belongs to the Mystic Krewe of Iberians and is passed from to the next king each year. His crown, however, has a bit of history and will remain his own.

“I had to borrow a crown last year for my reign, I just got this one,” Schexnayder said. “Someone gave it to me; it is from Edwin Ashy. A piece was broken, and I had it repaired. It was just what I wanted, a little pointy crown like the ones I paint. It probably goes back to the 1960s.”

Harold “Hal” Rider represented the Krewe of Andalusia as King 2018 and his son, Eli, served as Page. Rider’s eldest son was not aware his father would be king or that he would walk with him in costume until the night of the ball.

Captain of Andalusa Taylor Barras is helping to build sets for both krewe balls. Past royalty generally rides in a parade, if there is one rolling in the community.

“I’m originally from New Orleans, the Kenner area, so to relocate here after the military, be accepted into the community and asked to serve as king is a great honor,” Rider said. “(New Iberia) is a family-oriented community and I wanted to move back to the area after serving in St. Martinville during the military. Everybody took me in and made me family. That’s what I wanted for my future and children, Nathan and Eli.” 

Rider said his friends from New Orleans came in for the ball and said it was the way to carnival. The ball for Andalusia will be held Jan. 19 and the Mystic Krewe of Iberians will announce the 2019 king and queen at their gala Feb. 16. The Bayou Teche Mardi Gras Parade will roll Saturday, Feb. 9.

CAPTIONS:

Andalusa Captain and Page — Taylor Barras, captain of the Krewe of Andalusa was an encourager to the 2018 Page, Eli Rider, son of the 2018 King, Hal Rider. The fact his father would be announced as king last carnival season was kept a secret until arriving at the ball, when the young man also learned he would walk with his father to make sure his train stayed in place.

Iberans K&Q Toast — Amy Russell, from left, 2018 queen of the Mystic Krewe of Iberians, and her king, Paul Schexnayder, suggested the new tradition of bringing the past royalty together to toast the new carnival season.

Reigning Royalty — A queen was missing from the first Epiphany celebration, held Jan. 6 at Victor’s Cafeteria. Representing the Krewe of Andalusa were Dr. Harold ‘Hal’ Rider, center, as King Neptune III. Queen Amphitrite III, Kelly Patout Romero, was unable to attend.  Saluting the season at Victor’s for breakfast were the Mystic Krewe of Iberians member Paul Schexnayder, king and the queen, Amy Russell, right.