The Gulf Coast Carnival Association
For more than a century, Mardi Gras has arrived on the Gulf Coast not simply as a celebration, but as a promise—one kept year after year by the Gulf Coast Carnival Association (GCCA) and a community that understands the power of tradition. Along the Coast, where history and hospitality intertwine, Carnival is not confined to a single Mardi Gras parade route or one day on the calendar. It lives in preparation and pageantry, in legacy and leadership, and most visibly, in the royalty who step forward each year to carry the crown.
Leading the GCCA in its 118th year were the Sovereign Rulers of Carnival, King d’Iberville Brian Walker Sanderson and Queen Ixolib Sophie Jay Schloegel, whose reign honors a lineage more than a century in the making. As GCCA royalty, their roles extend beyond ceremony. They serve as stewards of a tradition deeply woven into the Coast’s cultural fabric—one that has endured through generations, weathered change, and remained a defining symbol of community pride.
For Sanderson, this year’s reign is both an honor and a reflection of lifelong ties to the Coast. A graduate of Resurrection Catholic High School and the University of Mississippi, Sanderson’s professional life has been shaped by leadership and service, from public policy work to civic involvement across the Coast. Yet amid the accolades and accomplishments, it is family and tradition that anchor his connection to the GCCA. This season, that legacy becomes tangible—his daughter serving as a Royal Page, his son as a Flag Bearer—underscoring the deeply personal nature of his role as King.
Schloegel’s story is equally rooted in continuity. A 2021 graduate of Gulfport High School and a 2025 graduate of the University of Mississippi, Schloegel represents a new generation shaped by global perspective and local pride. Currently working in Washington, D.C., her journey has taken her far from the Coast, yet Carnival season has remained a constant thread. Her family’s ties to the GCCA span decades, with multiple generations having served as royalty and leaders within the organization. Her reign is not just a moment of celebration—it is a continuation of a living family history.
Surrounding the King and Queen is a Royal Court that reflects the breadth and diversity of the community itself. Dukes, maids, pages, and flag bearers—each with a role, each contributing to the pageantry—come together as part of a tradition that values participation as much as presentation. From the youngest pages taking their first ceremonial steps to seasoned court members honoring years of involvement, the court embodies the idea that Mardi Gras is not something observed from the sidelines. It is something joined.
Among the season’s notable honors is the presentation of the Key to the City, bestowed upon St. Patrick Catholic High School Senior Ava Rose Emerson Lesso, who joined Biloxi Mayor Andrew Gilich on parade day to present this distinguished recognition to King d’Iberville. Reserved for an outstanding high school student who exemplifies excellence in academics and leadership, the honor speaks to GCCA’s broader commitment to youth, education, and civic pride—values that extend well beyond parade day.
While the crowns may capture the spotlight, the foundation beneath them is the GCCA, one of the oldest and most respected Carnival organizations in the state. Since 1908, GCCA has presented what many consider the Coast’s greatest free show, anchored by a Mardi Gras Day parade consistently recognized as the best in the region. Supported by more than 425 community sponsors, the organization stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when tradition is embraced collectively.
Yet to describe the GCCA as simply a parade organization would be to miss the heart of its mission. GCCA is, at its core, a community-driven effort powered by volunteers, civic leaders, public safety partners, and neighbors united by a shared belief that Mardi Gras matters. The season unfolds through a series of events—royal receptions, balls, social gatherings, and youth involvement—that transform Mardi Gras into a months-long celebration of connection and craftsmanship.
This spirit of inclusion is intentional. From its earliest days, the GCCA has welcomed those who wish to participate, offering sponsorship as a meaningful way to help bring Mardi Gras to life while preserving a tradition cherished across the Coast. And involvement is not about exclusivity, but more about stewardship. Sponsors and volunteers alike become part of a collaborative effort that ensures Mardi Gras remains accessible, vibrant, and rooted in community values.
In many ways, the story of GCCA mirrors the story of the Coast itself—resilient, adaptive, and deeply proud of its heritage. Through changing times, the GCCA has remained a constant, providing a sense of continuity and celebration that transcends generations. It is this enduring presence that allows Mardi Gras to feel both timeless and alive, honoring the past while welcoming the future.
With the 2026 Carnival season now part of the Coast’s story, its energy still lingers in memory and tradition. Beyond the spectacle of floats and beads lies the steady work of a community that returns each year to ensure Mardi Gras on the Coast remains vibrant, meaningful, and enduring.
For those watching from the sidewalks, the spectacle is unforgettable. For those who choose to step behind the scenes, it is something more—an opportunity to give back.
GCCA invites individuals, families, and businesses to become part of the tradition for the 2027 Mardi Gras season. Participation offers a chance to help create one of the Coast’s most enduring celebrations while contributing to a legacy that continues to shape the Coast’s cultural identity. Because on the Coast, Mardi Gras is not just something you attend. It is something carried forward—together.
Gulf Coast Carnival Association
msgcca.org
228.432.8806
