The Fishers crowned as El Centro’s 2023 Mardi Gras King and Queen
EL CENTRO — The City of El Centro crowned a beloved community couple as its 2023 Mardi Gras King and Queen, Charles “Chuck” and Carol Fisher in a joyful coronation ceremony here on Thursday, February 16.
Chuck Fisher is a lifelong resident of El Centro and has spent his professional career and time in retirement working to better the community, according to the City. He has served for many years as the President of the Board of Court-Appointed Special Advocates for children (CASA), and numerous other roles. He has spent over 40 years in education roles in the city as a teacher, principal, and school board trustee.
“Carol and I were very honored to be selected this year,” Charles Fisher said. “Carol and I are honored. We are thrilled to be on the parade (on Saturday),” Charles Fisher said.
Fisher described himself and his wife Carol as regular people enjoying the community.
Carol Fisher has spent over 35 years educating the youth in El Centro, serving in numerous roles at various grade levels. She serves as a board member on the city’s Friends of El Centro Community Services Foundation, where she assists and promotes the city’s library, parks, and recreational community programs, per the city.
“We are just ordinary people but we are being recognized for what we do for our community, and to us that is very important,” Carol Fisher said. “We have instilled that sense of service to the community in our grandchildren and our children, thank you.”
According to the city, the Mardi Gras Royalty represents “Pro Bono Publico,” meaning “for the public good,” and embodies the commitment to serve the community of El Centro.
“(These are) two amazing people in our community,” El Centro Mayor Martha Cardenas-Singh said. “I thank you for the many hours that you dedicate to our community and for the great good that you provide.”
During the event, the mayor presented a proclamation to the new Mardi Gras King and Queen at the El Centro City Hall Courtyard.
Interim City Manager Cedric Ceseña and Cardenas-Singh were the masters of ceremonies of El Centro Mardi Gras 2023 Coronation.
Ceseña said that Mardi Gras is a tradition brought by the French in Louisiana around the late 1600s. Mardi Gras celebrations started in 2008 in El Centro, he said.
He explained the meaning behind Mardi Gras colors: purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.
“Mardi Gras royalty that’s being represented is their pro bono or for the public’s good and embody the traditional service and response to the needs of the city,” Ceseña said.
As part of the coronation event, past kings and queens were applauded by the community. The Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce held a hospitality drawing with the new Queen, Carol Fisher, pulling out the winning tickets.