This is your chance to show Hastings what you’re made of by putting yourself forward for the 2018 Mardi Gras Monarchy.
Hastings Fat Tuesday means colour, costume, creativity and carnival spirit in abundance, and in all these the Mardi Gras Monarchy leads the way, including literally leading the hugely popular Umbrella Parade.
There are four non-gender specific roles up for grabs: The King, The Queen, The Knave and The Slut, all four of whom will be at the forefront of the UK’s largest Mardi Gras celebration. Duties will include leading the Umbrella Parade and representing Hastings Fat Tuesday at spin-off events.
Apply online telling the organisers how you plan to unleash your inner carnival spirit, and share your Mardi Gras Manifesto! There is also the option to send a short video (max 30 seconds) on why you have what it takes to be Mardi Gras King/Queen/Knave/Slut.
The four winners will each receive a coveted Passport to Hastings & St Leonards, entitling them to a plethora of gifts and freebies from across town.
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 on the night of the Mardi Gras Grand Ball (Saturday 10th February 2018 at St Mary in the Castle).
Applications should be made online at hastingsfattuesday.co.uk by midnight on Saturday 6th January, otherwise known as Twelfth Night – when the carnival season traditionally gets underway (contestants may apply for one character only).
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.
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