As with each year, Lenten season has arrived. Faithful Catholics throughout South Mississippi are now in the midst of the forty-day period of fasting and reflecting up until the Easter holiday, but people from all faiths and walks of life participated in local Carnival and Mardi Gras festivities during the weeks that preceded Ash Wednesday (the day after Fat Tuesday), including thousands of people who participated in the Carnival Association of Long Beach’s (CALB) traditional activities and celebrations this year.
The streets of downtown Long Beach were packed for the annual CALB Mardi Gras parade, which took place on the evening of February 3 this year, preceded by CALB’s annual royal coronation ball, which was held on Friday, February 2, where King Scott LXIV Junior Husband and Queen Rosalie 2024 Lisa Frazer, as well as their court, were decked out in their finest.
Members of this year’s royal court and ball attendees were draped in sequins, jewels, royal costumes, tuxedos and floor-length gowns for this year’s ball and tableau, which was held at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School. The Top Cats provided live music and entertainment.
Queen Rosalie 2024 Lisa Frazer is a lifelong resident of Long Beach and a third-generation member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church and CALB. Frazer and her husband, Donald, share three children, Matt, Erin and Marley.
King Scott LXIV Junior Husband is also a lifelong resident of Long Beach and parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. He and his wife Kali come from families deeply rooted in the Coastal community and have two daughters, Lilly and Rosie.
"It was a great Carnival season, and we are so very proud of the group of amazing individuals that comprised Team Husband-Frazer,” says CALB Queen Rosalie 2024 Lisa Frazer. “These people made the months-long commitment to help raise an incredible amount of money for St. Vincent de Paul School and other local charities, and we were honored to serve alongside them.”
Even light rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the Royal Court members or the thousands of revelers who lined the streets of downtown Long Beach for the annual Mardi Gras parade.
Scattered sprinkles trickled from the sky at the annual celebration, but, more importantly, throws poured down on the crowd, as colorful floats and their animated riders rolled along the parade route.
Husband captured the parade spirit in a single sentence, “It can rain on parade day, but it won’t rain on our parade!” - and it didn’t.
CALB parade float winners included Krewe of Sippin’ Away, CALB President’s Choice; Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, Parade Chairman’s Choice; and Krewe of Cajun Persuasion, CALB Board’s Choice.
Sawyer Walters served as Parade Chair, and WLOX Good Morning Mississippi Co-Anchor Jaimee Dorris served as Grand Marshal of this year’s parade.
Both Frazer and Husband agree it was the special time with family, friends and the entire community that will top their memories of the 2024 Long Beach Mardi Gras and Carnival season, including the Royal Coronation Ball and the parade.
“The ‘French Quarter Follies’ theme was such a fun way to end the season in celebration with family and friends at the beautiful Coronation Ball, as well as the Long Beach Mardi Gras parade,” Frazer says. “As an added bonus, we all come away with the reward of new and special friendships and some unforgettable memories!”
Proceeds raised by the CALB events go right back into the local community, benefitting Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic School and other coastal charities.
