FACES Pensacola | Issue 44

In Partnership with Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc.

Issue 44, 2026

5TH ANNUAL GALA

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february 12th pensacola bay center

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www.pensacolamardigras.com

contents Cover 12

Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot

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Cocktails For A Cause

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Christmas at the Clinic

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Wreaths Of Joy

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The African American Heritage Society 35th Anniversity Gala

Featuring: Truli Hartley, Melissa Wright at The Clark Family Cultural Center photography by: Kristina Wright

Editorial 06

Introducing the Queen & Queen

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Mardi Gras Lingo

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Familiar Faces

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Mardi Gras Parade Route

In Partnership with Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc. Issue 23,

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MIND, BODY & SOUL HALLOWEEN PARTY

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BOO BASH — DESIGNER BINGO

WSRE WINE AND FOOD CLASSIC

PMG Fat Tuesday Celebration

A Cabaret of curios

FacesPcola.com

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Publisher’s Letter Happy New Year!

At FACES PENSACOLA, we continue our monthly publication “covering the places and faces of Pensacola” and surrounding areas.

Our team has been busy covering events including runs, festivals, galas, openings, and more.

Watch out for Kristina Wright, our Lead Event Photographer, along with other event photographers to be included in the next issue.

Please stay connected with us on social on Facebook @FACESpcola and Instagram FACESpensacola. We love Pensacola and all the awesome events, places, and faces it has to offer. Reach out to let us know about your upcoming event. We would love to include you in our calendar and cover your events.

Thank you, Pensacola, for welcoming us and including us in your events. Don’t forget to check out our advertisers and give them some love.

We can’t wait to see your faces!

Steve Barber photo by: Kristina Wright

In Partnership with Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc.

In Partnership with Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc.

Issue 10, 2023

THE WOTY AWARDS

BROUGHT TO YOU BY SCARLETT & PRESENTED BY HANCOCK WHITNEY

FacesPcola.com

Publisher/Editor steve@facespcola.com

In Partnership with Pensacola Mardi Gras, Inc.

Issue 34, 2025

Issue 37, 2025

Issue 35, 2025

27 TH ANNUAL

Cordova Mall Ball

BECAUSE I WORE THIS

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP MIXER

MEN WHO COOK

Krewe of Warriors BalL

4TH ANNUAL PAW-DI GRAS

PMG GRAND PARADE

FRED LEVIN WAY FESTIVAL

Experience OxeFit

TITANIUM WIRELESS ANNUAL SOIRÉE

DESIGNER PURSE BINGO

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Rock the Runway

PMG Fat Tuesday Celebration scan here for photos

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WSRE WINE AND FOOD CLASSIC

A Cabaret of curiosities

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Team Faces

Steve Barber Publisher/Editor

Jessica Graña Creative Director

Kristina Wright Lead Photographer

Contributors Hudson Aho, Distribution

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The written by: Amy Newman photos by:Kristina Wright

Queen Queen Introducing

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he 2026 Pensacola Mardi Gras Season brings a double dose of sparkle, leadership, and heart as two remarkable women step into their shared reign as the first Queen and Queen Priscus: Truli Hartley and Melissa Wright. Though their stories began states apart—Truli born in Michigan, Melissa in Las Vegas—both eventually found home along the Gulf Coast, where community, friendship, and celebration shaped the lives that led them here.

Together, they represent the spirit of the Mardi Gras Season in a way that feels both deeply rooted and refreshingly full of life.

Truli arrived in the Gulf Breeze area in 1975 when her family moved south for warmer weather and a strong Navy community. Nearly fifty years later, she’s still grounded by the small-town bonds that define the region. She raised her sons, Joshua and Jacob, here and built a 35-year career as a hairstylist known not just for creativity, but for helping people feel truly seen. Her natural gift for connection mirrors how she approaches Mardi Gras life. As an original member of the Krewe of Gatsby Girls since their formation in 2014, she’s part of a spirited sisterhood more than 130 women strong, known for philanthropy as much as glamour. Her most cherished work is volunteering with The Miracle League of Santa Rosa County, where helping athletes shine brings her some of her happiest moments.

When Truli learned she had been chosen as Queen Priscus for the 2026 Pensacola Mardi Gras Season, she was stunned. No all-girls krewe had ever been chosen for the honor. For her, the crown is not simply recognition; it’s a chance to reflect back the joy and generosity this community gives her.

Melissa’s story unfolds with equal devotion to FacesPcola.com

family and faith. Her parents moved to the Gulf Coast after being inspired by postcards from an uncle stationed at NAS Pensacola. She grew up between Gulf Breeze and Pensacola Beach, graduated from Gulf Breeze High School, and later met her husband, Jay, there. Their 31-year marriage took them around the world during Jay’s Air Force career, raising four daughters while always knowing they would return home. Today, Melissa celebrates a new chapter as “Nana” to her grandchildren while balancing a long career in accounting and finance as Senior Controller with ICON Consulting and Design.

Her connection to the Pensacola Mardi Gras Season dates back to childhood memories of the Krewe of Wrecks Parade. In 1993 she helped launch the Krewe of Bananimals, eventually serving as Queen Bananimals in 2015. After supporting Jay through a battle with Stage 4 cancer, she reconnected with the festivities by joining the Gatsby Girls in 2021. Being selected as Queen Priscus for the 2026 Pensacola Mardi Gras Season is, for her, a celebration of resilience, gratitude, and community.

Though Truli and Melissa have distinct stories, they are united by the way they lead—with warmth, generosity, humor, and joy. Their reign is more than crowns and costumes. It’s a testament to friendship, strength, and the shared spirit of a community that knows how to show up for one another.

Together, the 2026 Queen and Queen Priscus will shine throughout the Pensacola Mardi Gras Season not just because of beads and sequins, but because they embody what this celebration has always been about: heart, heritage, and pure happiness.

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Mardi Gras

Lingo A Guide to Speaking Like a Carnival Veteran

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efore you catch your first strand of beads or taste your first King Cake, you’ll need to master the language of Mardi Gras. The term “Mardi Gras” itself is French for “Fat Tuesday,” referring to the final day of feasting before the Lenten season of fasting begins. But this celebration is about so much more than one day, and the colorful vocabulary surrounding it reflects centuries of tradition, revelry, and Gulf Coast hospitality. Pensacola actually celebrates the oldest Mardi Gras in Florida, dating back to 1874, and understanding the lingo is your first step to becoming a true Carnival insider.

Carnival - The broader season of festivities that officially begins on January 3rd (the Feast of the Epiphany, or 12th Night) and culminates on Mardi Gras day. While many people use “Mardi Gras” to describe the entire season, true insiders know that Carnival encompasses all those weeks of parades, parties, and pageantry leading up to Fat Tuesday.

Krewe - Derived from “crew,” this term refers to the social organizations responsible for putting on parades and balls. Pensacola’s krewes, including the Krewe of Hip Huggers, Krewe of Lafitte, and Krewe of SWAT, spend the entire year planning their elaborate processions. Each krewe has its own history, traditions, and membership requirements, making them the backbone of Pensacola’s Carnival culture. Check out Pensacola’s krewesat pensacolamardigras.com/krewes/!

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Throws - Those coveted items tossed from the floats to eager crowds below. While plastic beads are the most iconic throws, seasoned parade-goers know that krewes also distribute doubloons (aluminum coins stamped with krewe emblems), stuffed animals, decorated cups, and the highly prized light-up toys.

“Throw me something, mister!” - The traditional cry shouted by generations of parade-goers hoping to catch throws from float riders, regardless of the rider’s actual gender. It’s the universal language of Mardi Gras enthusiasm.

King Cake - The oval-shaped pastry decorated in purple, green, and gold — the official colors of Mardi Gras. Purple represents justice, green symbolizes faith, and gold stands for power. Hidden inside each King Cake is a tiny plastic baby, and whoever finds it in their slice is responsible for bringing the next King Cake to the party.

“Laissez les bons temps rouler” - French for “let the good times roll,” this phrase becomes more than just a saying during Carnival season — it’s a way of life in Pensacola, where downtown transforms into a vibrant celebration zone.

Understanding Mardi Gras lingo means understanding a culture that values celebration, community, and tradition in equal measure. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran of Pensacola’s parades, speaking the language of Carnival connects you to a celebration that’s been bringing people together for over a century. So grab your beads, stake out your spot along Palafox Street or Seville Square, and remember: in Mardi Gras season, we’re all part of the krewe.

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Give the gift of opera this holiday season!

A Season of Heart, Hope, and Superb Storytelling

PensacolaOpera.com | 850.433.6737

Buy Tickets Now! 11

Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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1 Audrey Preston, Steve Barber, Chesley Polk • 2 Krewe de Karnaval • 3 Krewe de Kannabis • 4 Krewe du Yaya’s • 5 Krewe of SWAT

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Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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6 Krewe of Sirens • 7 Krewe of Anarchy • 8 Krewe of Sophistication • 9 Krewe of Seville • 10 Krewe of Daisy Dukes

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Familiar Faces Q+A Audrey Preston Owner, Pensacola Parade People LLC 331 W Government St, Pensacola 850-696-7566 • paradepeople.com

What’s the best part of your job?

Getting to share in and spread the ‘bon temps’ spirit with Pensacola and surrounding areas! I love getting to “talk Mardi Gras” with my customers, everyone is excited when they’re prepping for a parade. I love that parades are a party that everyone is invited to and we get to help revelers have the most fun.

Is there an achievement or contribution that you’re most proud of?

I’m pretty proud of the fact our little micro business is still standing. We’ve made it through 13 years that included a pandemic canceling all parades for over a year, a hurricane that damaged our roof and flooded our building, another flood two years later, and some tumultuous changes to importing and shipping over the past few years. I’m really happy that we’re still here and ready to serve our Mardi Gras community for another parade season!

How has working with your clients changed you?

Starting a small business with my family has really taught me the meaning of the phrase: you don’t know what you don’t know. There are many times throughout the past decade that I thought, “Hmmmm, if I’d known this was how it was gonna go before I committed to starting this business, I’m not sure I’d have done it.” Those are truly the moments that test you as an entrepreneur and you have to decide whether to keep it up and figure it out or throw in the towel.

What are your favorite local charities to support?

Speed Round Picks

Vintage or Modern Cocktail or Mocktail Rainy Day In or Sunny Day Out Digital or Analog Book or Podcast FacesPcola.com

Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue, West Florida Roller Derby, and Subwest Rotary Foundation. As a SubWest Rotary Club member (and current President), there are numerous charities we support through our foundation: provide mentors and a scholarship annually for Take Stock in Children, we cook monthly for Ronald McDonald House, we financially support Manna Food Bank and participate annually in the Rotary meal packing event there, we have a team in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and have adopted Global Learning Academy where we volunteer throughout the school year.

Is Pensacol Parade People open year round?

Yes, I still work in the summer months when Parade People is closed — we start planning for next year’s Mardi Gras before Lent is even over!

Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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11 Mystic Mafia • 12 Krewe of Airship Pirates • 13 Krewe of Warriors • 14 Audrey Preston, Chesley Polk • 15 Krewe of Lafitte

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Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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16 Pensacola Krewe of Belles • 17 Krewe of Brewe of Pensacola • 18 Krewe of VooDoo • 19 West Florida Roller Derby 20 Krewe of Marionettes

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Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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21 Krewe of Parrotheads • 22 Krewe of Andre de Pez • 23 Krewe of Karibbean • 24 Krewe of Blues • 25 Krewe of Silver Slipper

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Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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26 Pirates of Lost Treasure • 27 Krewe of Cheers • 28 Krewe of St. Patrick • 29 Chesley Polk • 30 Krewe of Wicked Pirates

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Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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31 Krewe of Aphrodite • 32 Mystic Order of Revelry • 33 Krewe of Vixens • 34 Krewe of Gatsby Girls

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Mardi Gras Krewes Photoshoot photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Parade People • Hosted by: Polkadot Entertainment

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35 Krewe of Airship Pirates • 36 Krewe of Hip Huggers • 37 Krewe of Calypso • 38 Les Harlequins • 39 Krewe de Voulez Vous

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Krewe Showcase

Check out Pensacola’s Krewes at PensacolaMardiGras.com!

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Cocktails for a Cause photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Valerie’s House • Charity: Valerie’s House

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1 Hannah Zimmern, Woody Dobson • 2 Jessica Chancey, Courtney Campbell • 3 Katrina Crow, Amber Gordon • 4 Dannon Byrd 5 Steve Barber, Jo Stanovich • 6 Kendra Hamilton, Will Campbell • 7 Stacey Keller Williams, Niels Andersen • 8 Meghan Harrison, Jada Berry, Miriam B. Fussell, Marley Fischer

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Cocktails for a Cause photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Valerie’s House • Charity: Valerie’s House

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9 Rachel McLellan, Dillard Trapp, Diana Graff, Josh Warner • 10 Janet Marconi, Javelin • 11 Matt Maracle, Jennifer Harrison 12 Nicole Newton, Courtney Campbell • 13 Wayne & Sherry Franklin • 14 Elli Gentile, Jade Hoy • 15 NeRissa Bates, Hassan Hills

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Cocktails for a Cause photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Valerie’s House • Charity: Valerie’s House

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16 Betty Weber, Will Campbell • 17 Magi Williams, Belle Bear, Delayna Blankenship, Dr. Michael Reisburg • 18 Misty Hoitash, Terri Clark, Mia Handshy, Kendra Hamilton • 19 Julie & Brad Marshall • 20 Dare & Sunshine Lias • 21 Matt & Lauren Merritt, Crista Brandt, Becca Carlson, Stephen Rampersad

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Cocktails for a Cause photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Valerie’s House • Charity: Valerie’s House

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22 Summer Carter, Amy Goetz, April Davidson • 23 David Deliman, Sally Bergosh, Kristin Longley, Meri Asmar, Randy Clendenon 24 Jose Leon, Meaghan Harrison, Preston Harris, Kelly Berrey

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Christmas at the Clinic photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Country Club • Charity: Health and Hope Clinic

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1 JT & Deidre Young • 2 Lori Storey, Chip Cravaack • 3 Chyna Dunn, Campbell Smith • 4 Matt Maracle, Dr. Brian Kirby, Ashlee & Grant Hofberger • 5 Madrina Ciano, Sally Bergosh • 6 Crista Brandt, Mary Hoxeng, Belle Bear, Linda Brown, Stephen Rampersad • 7 Carrie & Ruben Timmons, Laura Rae Morette, Jennifer Bear, Mike Morette

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Christmas at the Clinic photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Country Club • Charity: Health and Hope Clinic

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8 Taxie Lambert, Marcel Davis, Angie Morris • 9 Larry & Lee Anne Adams, Sherry Franklin, Don Hanto • 10 Jacqui O’ Connell, Judy Hartington • 11 Maurice Brown, Valerie Boyd, Brian Wyer • 12 David Deliman, Nicole Graham • 13 Whitney Fike, Erin Luttrell, Brigette Brooks, Rica Rogers, Terri Ramos

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Christmas at the Clinic photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Pensacola Country Club • Charity: Health and Hope Clinic

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14 Elise Lovelace, Mollie & Alex Johnson • 15 Holly Jurnovoy, Marny Needle, Mary Hoxeng • 16 Terri Ramos, Erin Luttrell, Delayna Blankenship • 17 Rick Byars, Marty Stanovich, David Peaden • 18 Debbie Patroni, Lynn Jolliff, Perri McKinnon, Laurie Rudzki 19 Steve Barber, Crista Brandt, Stephen Rampersad

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Mardi Gras Parade Route 2026 Parade Route Map Provided by: Pensacola Mardi Gras

February 14 Parade Start The Intersection of Garden St. and Spring St.

Parade End The Intersection of Jefferson St. and Main St.

Due to the City of Pensacola’s Reimagining of Palafox, the Parade Route takes a slight detour from previous years, but will resume it’s normal route in 2027!

2026 Pensacola Mardi Gras Season presented by the Ice Flyers Foundation.

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Wreaths of Joy photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Brownsville Community Center • Charity: The Arc Gateway

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1 Holly Stewart, Dyan Wofford • 2 Steve Barber, Delayna Blankenship • 3 Stacey & Kaipo Robello • 4 Zorida, Noah, Robin, Jonah & Stephen Rampersad • 5 Abbie & Nels Offerdahl • 6 Jaime Conti, Marlee Bruno • 7 Jamie Wells, Stephen Rampersad

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Wreaths of Joy photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Brownsville Community Center • Charity: The Arc Gateway

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8 Heather Harriott, Alicia Tappan • 9 The Krewe of Gatsby Girls • 10 Erozi Gormanson, Latausha Cheatham • 11 John McMahon, Kristen Roberts • 12 Beej Davis, Mary Catherine & Bo Harper, Danny & Hannah Zimmern

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Wreaths of Joy photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Brownsville Community Center

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13 The Arc Gateway South Santa Rosa Center 14 Missy Rogers, Larry Love, Marianne McMahon 15 Pam & Dennis White, Kathy Meehling

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The African American Heritage Society 35th Anniversary Gala photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Hilton Garden Inn on Airport • Charity: The African American Heritage Society

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1 Alicia Waters • 2 Quint Studer, Jada Johnson • 3 Dr. Lusharon Wiley, Dr. Michael Roberts • 4 Nehemiah Johnson • 5 Sonshine, Eric Martin • 6 Verdell & Christina Hawkins • 7 Madrina Ciano, Brigette Brooks • 8 Mike & Cheryl Etheredge • 9 Costella Harris, Shirley Henderson

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The African American Heritage Society 35th Anniversary Gala photographer: Kristina Wright

Location: Hilton Garden Inn on Airport • Charity: The African American Heritage Society

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10 Adrienne & Timothy Simmons • 11 Commissioner Lumon May, Dr. Angela McCorvey • 12 Keithina Nicole Dixon • 13 Gregory “Pookie” Thornhill • 14 Kimberly & Aaron Watson • 15 Barbara Little, Magi Williams, Delayna Blankenship • 16 Jake & Whitney Lucas, Susan & Sheriff Chip Simmons • 17 Demetrius Hale, Jacqueline Parker, Claudette Chapman, Josephine Mayo, Joan Henderson

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Who’s Counting? abies B e k a ing C win!

K d y l n u a o m yo u c h ow d s n s e a u G e Ja r h t n i are

F i r st c t re r o C y Entr !

Wins

The firs t co gue rr ss w ins a ect Mar di G free ras fro m G o Ba s k e t Pro visio urmet ns a Free nd a 1/2P g Ad Fac es P e n sa f o r col a!

How to Play: Email your guess to promo@facespcola.com by February 12th, 2026 In order to qualify as a valid entry you must: 1. Put “King Cake Baby Guess” in the Subject 2. Include your Name, Phone Number, and Email Address in the email 3. Your best guess for the number of King Cake Babies in the jar pictured above!