Clues to King Jace’s Identity
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Ready for Mardi Gras (L-R): Committee Co-Chair Barbara Dixon, Irene Blais, Sue Bernier, Clara L'Heureux (Costumes courtesy of Harlequins Costumes, 97 Main Street, Woonsocket, RI) |
January 28, 2009 • Woonsocket's Arts & Entertainment Scene Presents Exciting Culture and Top Name Acts! City’s annual Mardi Gras celebrations highlight active fun happening All Pawtucket All the Time
January 13, 2009 • Woonsocket’s Mardi Gras Celebration, The Providence Journal
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J.J. Caillier leads a conga line (2009) |
Saturday, February 7, 2009, 1:30 pm (Doors open at 1:15 pm)
Our Lady, Queen of Martyrs School Hall, 1409 Park Avenue, Woonsocket,
RI
Free Admission!
Popcorn and Soda
Costume Parade and Costume Contest
with prizes for Best Costume and Most Original Costume
(Girls and Boys ages 1 - 6 and 7 - 12 are eligible to win.)
The crowning of the King and Queen of Mardi Gras will be announced during the festivities!
For more information call: Jeannine at 401-769-0520 Ext. 1311 (printable flyer in .pdf format)
Rhode Island
State Council on the Arts
City of Woonsocket
Green Sponsor ($250+)
Romeo & Diane Berthiaume
Ray Gaboury
Roxanne L. Menard
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1954 • |
Pauline (Nadeau) Miller |
1955 • |
Maureen (Mazzarella) Kennedy |
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1956 • |
Beverly (DiCesare) Russell |
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1957 • |
Pauline (Gagnon) Riendeau |
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1958 • |
Rita (Laliberte) Nadeau |
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1959 • |
Claire (Paul) Lafrance |
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1988 • |
Michelle (Lefort) Wheeler |
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Owen Bebeau |
•1995 • |
Gloria Jean Roy |
Roger Nault |
• 1996 • |
Paula Rezendes |
Al Auclair |
• 1997 • |
Roxanne Menard |
Leo Fontaine |
• 1998 • |
Dianna Glassey |
Roger Jalette |
• 1999 • |
Donna Gallant |
Ken Bianchi |
• 2000 • |
Nancy (Melvin) Beauregard |
Noel Pincince |
• 2001 • |
Suzanne Beaulieu |
Dave Richards |
• 2002 • |
Lorraine Jacob |
Roger Petit |
• 2003 • |
Stacey (McCutcheon) Fitzsimmons |
Roger Bouchard |
• 2004 • |
Roberta Baillargeon |
Tom Ward |
• 2005 • |
Joyce Laperle |
Brian Blais |
• 2006 • |
Lorraine Guilbault |
Marcel Desroches |
• 2007 • |
Nancy Phillips |
Ray Gaboury |
• 2008 • |
Monique Noel |
Connie Anderson
Sue Beaulieu
Sue Bernier
*Romeo Berthiaume
Irene Blais
Sharon Charette
Lorraine Cloutier
Jeannette Cousineau
*Barbara Dixon
Marlene Gagnon
Joan R. Gahan
Wil GodinMonique Jean
Jack Lawhead
Connie Lemonde
Clara L’Heureux
Bill Marrah
Ray Nolan
Bette Plante
Bette Jo Plante
Ray Rivet
Patrick Ryan
Brenda Viscione-Ryan
*Committee Co-Chairs
Many of the traditions of Mardi Gras have their roots in a Roman
festival called the Saturnalia which celebrated the end of
winter and the coming of spring. Over time, and with the spread
of Christianity, the festival became a final binge of feasting
and self-indulgence before the sacrifice of Lent. In 17th century
Paris, the celebration came to be known as Mardi Gras, or Fat
Tuesday – a way for Christians to fatten up before the
long Lenten season.
French settlers brought their traditions to Louisiana in 1766.
By 1857, New Orleans began to develop its own traditions of
masked balls, organized parades, and “throws” (favors
such as beads, doubloons, and cups thrown from parade floats).
In 1872, the King of Mardi Gras selected the celebration’s
official colors of purple, green, and gold. The colors’ meanings
were defined as justice (purple), faith (green), and power
(gold) in 1892.
In 1954, the Mardi Gras tradition was started in Woonsocket by
the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The four days of festivities
earned the celebration the title of “Mardi Gras of the
North.” The Jaycees’ involvement in Mardi Gras
gave our king his name – King Jace.
Since 1995, the NRICA and the Mardi Gras Committee, with the invaluable help of our sponsors, have worked hard to bring the authentic feel and the fun of a traditional Mardi Gras celebration to Woonsocket.