The organisers of the Hastings Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras spectacular are seeking applicants to take centre stage leading the Umbrella Parade as members of the 2018 Mardi Gras Monarchy.
Fat Tuesday is the UK’s largest and best Mardi Gras festival and attracted 11,000 people last year. It features a diverse range of live music across multiple venues, fancy dress and As involving live music in many venues across Hastings as well as a fabulous parade through the streets. In 2018, the event runs from February 9-13.
The four non-gender-specific roles are open for applicants now. The King, The Queen, The Knave and The Slut will be at the forefront of the parade and will also represent Hastings Fat Tuesday at spin-off events.
Prospective royals (and sluts) should apply online outline the reasons why they are the right person to be honoured.
As well as the adoration of the public, the four winners will also receive a coveted Passport to Hastings & St Leonards, entitling them to a plethora of gifts and freebies
Entries will be considered by the Hastings Fat Tuesday team and those shortlisted will go forward to a public vote via the Hastings Fat Tuesday Facebook page where contestants will be whittled down to three finalists for each character.
The final decision on the 2018 Mardi Gras Monarchy will be made via a live ballot vote on the night of the Mardi Gras Grand Ball (Saturday February 10 2018 at St Mary in the Castle). Contestants may apply for one character only.
Applications close at midnight on Saturday January 6, otherwise known as Twelfth Night – when the carnival season traditionally gets underway.
Another name for the Twelfth Night is “Kings Night”, and the Hastings Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Monarchy is inspired by the historical tradition of the Twelfth Night cake or “King Cake” whereby a “King” and other characters would be allocated by dividing a cake containing tokens.
Photo: Mark Richards
Photo: Mark Richards