The Krewe of The 9 officially opened the 2025 Mardi Gras season with its inaugural Twelfth Night celebration on Jan. 5. The event featured a Southern-style champagne brunch, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the sharing of priority points, symbolically “opening the door” to this year’s festivities.

Twelfth Night, historically celebrated 12 days after Christmas, marks the official start of the Mardi Gras season, which runs until Fat Tuesday. Organized by Nicole Gray, the event brought together revelers to celebrate the occasion and capture the spirit of the season with a commemorative group photo.

Participants included Ralph Wilson, Yolanda Bobb, Ruby Braxton, Weda P. Anthony, Nicole Gray, Matthew Craig, Betty Sawyer Smith, Kerri Eggins Nutt, Tan’Keia Palmer, Rose Rock, Cynthia Harmon, Ke’Nesha Coats, and Sean Pickens. Not pictured was Dr. Ross Williams Jr.

The celebration set the tone for the season, combining tradition with Southern charm as the Krewe of The 9 gears up for its Mardi Gras festivities.