MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) The Order of the Polka Dots took to the streets of downtown Mobile Thursday night.
Local 15 News is connecting the dots between Mobile and another Mardi Gras city on the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and the Crew of Bacchus.
This year, that king will be Hollywood actor GW Bailey, who has starred in Mash, the popular Police Academy movies and as a policeman in TNT Networks, The Closer. But he's trading in his badge for a crown made in Mobile.
When Bailey takes center stage in New Orleans, he'll be shedding his theatrical cop clothes for a new uniform, that of Bacchus, the Greek god of wine, and king of the Krewe of Bacchus parade. When he does, he will be wearing a crown made in a tiny shop in Mobile.
"We made it from wine leaves and we did an old world antique look," said Tommy Cain from Dynasty Collection.
Tommy Cain, his wife Tanya and her mother and father, Jim and Jane Rhinewalt, are the sole artisans at Dynasty Collection. They are THE custom crown maker of Mardi Gras along the Gulf Coast and all over the world.
"We're gonna have grapes right here, he's gonna have laurel leaves, a lot of laurel leaves on it, and here we have the purple stones with the diamond cut crystals," Cain added.
This year, the King of Bacchus announcement was made rather late, leaving Tommy and crew just enough time to design it, build it, and ship it to Rhode Island to be plated in 14 karat gold.
"I am packing up! Getting ready to have the crown sent out for the final finishing touch," said Tanya. "It has to be there tomorrow!"
Bacchus, Bailey and the crown will roll through New Orleans the Sunday before Fat Tuesday.
