BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) — The 118th Gulf Coast Carnival Association has named its royalty for the upcoming Mardi Gras season, with Pascagoula native Brian Sanderson serving as King D’Iberville and Gulfport native Sophie Schloegel as Queen Ixolib.
Sanderson, an attorney and consultant, said his selection brings his Mardi Gras experience full circle from childhood memories of watching parades with his grandfather.
“Every year, my grandfather would load up all of my classmates from Resurrection, and we would park his motorhome early in the morning at the Main Street and Highway 90 to watch the parade,” Sanderson said. “And that was one of my fondest memories, and it’s really neat to come full circle.”
Family traditions continue
Family plays a central role in Sanderson’s reign. His son will serve as a flag bearer and his daughter joins the court as a royal page.
“I’m honored that the board asked me to lead this carnival season,” Sanderson said. “It’s a great honor. It’s been a lot of fun to do it with my family, my wife, Marie, and our children by my side.”
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Sanderson said the Coast’s Carnival tradition is unique to the region.
“It’s just such a special place, and I think Mardi Gras is so unique to the coast,” he said. “Something that started in Mobile in the 1850s have now grown to have such a large celebration and bring so many people together. It’s really unique.”
Queen carries family legacy
Queen Ixolib Sophie Schloegel brings her own family history to the role. Her grandmother was Queen Ixolib and her grandfather was King D’Iberville.
“Mardi Gras is a huge part of my family,” Schloegel said. “My grandmother was Queen Ixolib, and my grandfather was King D’Iberville. So getting to experience this like they did is super special and something I’ll never forget.”
Schloegel carries her grandfather’s scepter, which was modified for her reign. Her grandfather served as King D’Iberville in 1988.
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“My grandfather who was King D’Iberville in 1988. He’s no longer here. But, like, this was something that was very important to him,” she said. “He made sure we knew what an important tradition this is. And then this is actually my grandfather’s scepter that we bedazzled to make it a little bit more Queen-like. But this is what he used. So even though he’s not here with me, he still is.”
Connected families
Sanderson said the connection between their families makes this year’s court meaningful.
“It’s been extra meaningful to do it with our queen, Sophie Schloegel, her family,” he said. “And we’ve known each other for many, many years, going back to her grandparents. Her grandfather was a great mentor of mine, and I just think the world of her family.”
Schloegel previously served as a royal page and maid before becoming queen.
“Obviously, as a little girl, like, I’d always look up to Queen Ixolib and just think it was just the most amazing experience,” she said. “This is a dream come true, one that I’m very fortunate and grateful that I get to experience. And like I said, it’s just having so much fun.”
The pair represents how Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is passed down through families across generations.
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