BATON ROUGE — Baton Rouge’s most flamboyant and satirical Mardi Gras parade is back, and this year’s Spanish Town royalty is ready to roll in true pink flamingo style. With their larger-than-life personalities and deep connections to the parade, Queen Christal Davis and King Keith Knapps are set to lead the historic celebration with love, laughter, and a whole lot of glitter.
Queen Christal Davis: A Royal Tribute
Christal Davis, affectionately known as the “Spanish Town Queen,” has been deeply involved in the Spanish Town Festival for over 12 years. Her connection to the parade became even more personal following the tragic loss of her daughter, Stephanie, to adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare form of cancer diagnosed in only 1,200 people annually. Stephanie was crowned the first -ever Duchess of Spanish Town before her passing, making Christal’s selection as Queen this year both an honor and a tribute.
“My daughter never missed a Spanish Town parade. She loved everything about it,” Davis shared. “When she was on hospice, the board members brought a second-line parade to her and crowned her the first-ever Duchess of Spanish Town. She passed away a week and a half later.”
It’s why the organization’s president Robert King decided to go “flock” Stephanie when she was on hospice (video above).
Christal’s reign as Queen is a way to honor her daughter’s memory, as well as to celebrate her own milestone birthday.
“I just turned 60 this past December, so I thought, ‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. I’m doing it for her. I’m doing it for me’,” she said.
For her crowning brunch, she chose a mermaid theme, a whimsical and vibrant nod to the spirit of Spanish Town.
“It has been overwhelming in the best way. Just when I think I’ve had the best day ever, another incredible moment happens,” she said.
MORE FROM UWK: 2025 Mardi Gras Guide: Parades in and around Baton Rouge
King Keith Knapps: A Biker’s Royal Ride
King Keith Knapps has been part of the pink world for 12 years. What started as a fun event for him and his wife Sarah quickly turned into an annual passion, with both becoming deeply involved in the Spanish Town community.
“About 12 years ago, my wife and I started attending the parade. We eventually joined a krewe, got more involved, and now here we are,” Knapps said.
Knaps’ float, themed “Smiley Town,” will be an eye-catching spectacle.
“It’s wrapped in black with pink trim. We have 52 people on it, and there’s even a pink Harley,” he said.
His costume as King is a biker vest adorned with patches, embracing the outlaw spirit of Spanish Town.
As King, Knapps appreciates the unique experience.
“People treat you like royalty. I’m not really used to that,” he joked.
Spanish Town’s Legacy of Giving
Beyond the revelry, Spanish Town is known for its charitable contributions. President Robert King highlighted the community’s commitment to giving back.
“We donate between $85,000 and $100,000 each year to local charities. Over the years, we’ve given almost $1.7 million. It’s incredible to see the impact we make,” King shared.
The Spanish Town community also prioritizes supporting local businesses. Parade-goers book hotel rooms downtown, dine at local restaurants, and royalty hosts parties at neighborhood bars to boost the economy.
Grand Marshal Kiran Chawla
This year’s Grand Marshal is Kiran Chawla, the founder and chief investigative journalist of UWK. Spanish Town President Robert King spoke on her selection:
“Kiran speaks the truth. She’s out there, and she’s a good person. We felt she was a great figurehead for our parade. Seeing her excitement and what she brought to the entry proved we made the right choice. She has become part of the family.”
MORE FROM UWK: UWK’s Kiran Chawla selected as Spanish Town Grand Marshal
The History of Spanish Town Parade
What began in 1981 as a small neighborhood gathering has evolved into one of Baton Rouge’s most anticipated Mardi Gras parades. The first “parade” featured locals walking through the streets, children drumming on makeshift instruments. Today, the celebration draws over 200,000 attendees, with 75 floats and nearly 10 bands filling the streets in a vibrant sea of pink.
As the parade rolls through Baton Rouge this Mardi Gras season, King Keith, Queen Crystal and Grand Marshal Kiran will reign with joy, remembrance, and a commitment to the beloved tradition of Spanish Town.
The jovial krewe of Spanish Town is set to roll Saturday, March 1st at noon.
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