02/12/2026
👑 All Hail the King of the 2026 Stone Mountain Mardi Gras Parade & Festival, it’s the Alligator in the Pink Dumpster making his annual appearance in the 6th Annual Mardi Gras Georgia Parade - and finally risen from mascot to King of the Parade!
Rolling in style in the fabulous BMW “Mildred,” it’s none other than the King himself — known from New Orleans to Stone Mountain as Sneaky Pete, the Alligator in the Pink Dumpster! 🐊💗
A tribute to the legendary post–Hurricane Ida uptown alligator that fascinated New Orleans, Sneaky Pete is ruling the route in true Mardi Gras fashion.
By his side? Two hot mamas! 🔥
✨ Organizer Carmen Malizia, known to her friends as the Mardi Gras Queen and wearing the 2026 Beads from this year’s Pete Fountain’s Half Fast Walking Club from New Orleans that she received before Mardi Gras!
✨ Ann Michelle, Mildred’s “mom” and longtime friend
And behind the wheel, keeping the royal ride smooth — Mike Yoho driving Mildred.
The King is parade-ready — with his readily recognizable Commanders Palace umbrella in hand and wearing the latest scarf design from the lady co-proprietors of Commander’s Palace, cousins Ti Adelaide Martin and Lally Brennan.
Commander’s Palace — the renowned, historic Creole restaurant in New Orleans’ Garden District — has been operating since 1893 and is legendary for its 25¢ martini lunch, Jazz Brunch, lively atmosphere, turtle soup, and bread pudding soufflé. A culinary landmark for decades, it’s been home to famous chefs like Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse.
🎷 Speaking of Commander’s Palace…
Mardi Gras Georgia saluted Pete Fountain’s legendary Half-Fast Walking Club, one of the oldest walking clubs in New Orleans Mardi Gras, walking every Fat Tuesday since 1960 beginning at 7am from Commander’s Palace to the French Quarter, Bourbon Street and eventually ending up in the early afternoon at the famed Hotel Monteleone and its iconic Carousel bar!
Joining Georgia’s Mardi Gras celebration is Giles Mealor, clarinetist and personal friend of Pete Fountain, who brought his high-spirited Dixieland jazz far beyond New Orleans to national audiences through frequent TV appearances. Giles introduced parade organizers to the whimsically named Pete Fountain Half-Fast Walking Club Krewe, which has entertained Mardi Gras spectators for over 66 years and remains a beloved symbol of New Orleans’ musical spirit.
💜💛💚 Carrying the “Salute to Pete Fountain” Banner are Joe and Marlice Casnave before they had to leave town for Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Marlice is part of the Krewe of Selene a prominent all-female, night-parading organization in Slidell, Louisiana, founded in 1998. Parading on the Friday night before Mardi Gras, it features over 500 members and signature throws, including hand-decorated purses and light-up wands.
Here in Stone Mountain their “Salute to Pete Fountain” Krewe
handed out genuine Pete Fountain Half-Fast Walking Club cups and bead memorabilia.
Let the good times roll! 💜💚💛✨
Thank you Billy Heath III for the great cover photo!
