The Mystic Krewe of Alpheus announced its royalty for the 2000 Mardi Gras season at its grand ball held Saturday night.

In choosing its royalty the Krewe takes into consideration the individuals’ contributions and support of the Krewe. This year’s royalty not only works with the Krewe, but they also are actively involved in the community.

Serving as King Alpheus IX is Charles Patrick Fields of Natchez and serving as his queen is Queen Arethusa IX Edith Willard Christian.

Fields is a native of Natchez. He is the son of Michael J. and Theresa C. Fields and is married to Holly Dauphin Fields

He is self-employed as an independent petroleum landman and is also president of Security Protection Inc. Fields is a graduate of Natchez High School and Delta State University.

Fields’ volunteer works includes the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and he supports the activities of the Natchez Children’s Home.

He is a member of Miss-Lou Association of Professional Landmen, National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, United States Golf Association, Ducks Unlimited and the Duncan Park Men’s Golf Association. Fields is also featured in The Natchez Democrat as an outdoors columnist.

His interests and hobbies are centered around outdoor activities.

Queen Arethusa IX is also a native of Natchez. She is the daughter of Bert Willard and the late Amy Willard. She is married to John Christian and has a son, Scott, and a daughter, Katherine. She has two grandchildren, Will, 9, and Madeline, 3.

Willard is the owner of the River Boat Gift Shop and is a member of the Natchez Women’s Business Owners Association.

She works with the Natchez Junior Auxiliary, the Natchez Little Theater, the Natchez Chamber of Commerce and the Pilgrimage Garden Club.

She volunteers with the Great Mississippi River Balloon Race as well as the Historic Natchez Foundation.

Her hobbies include reading, playing bridge and gardening.

Serving as the court for Fields and Willard are Chester Newton Willis III, Daphyne VanDevender, Lou Ellen Alford, Roy Alan Conn, Mildred Elizabeth &uot;Mimi&uot; Grace Puddister and Carl Sayers.

Willis is the son of Mrs. Chester N. (Betty) Willis Jr. and the late Chester N. Willis Jr. He is married to Lucinda Box Willis. They have three children, Chester Newton Willis IV, 25, Joseph Hannon Willis, 22, and Benjamin Stratton Willis, 18.

VanDevender is the daughter of Galin and LaNelle Howard. She is married to Mark VanDevender and they share five children, Kristen Anne VanDevender,19, Danielle Ashley Devine, 18, Jaclyn Nicole VanDevender, 17, Denton Keith Devine, 15, and Mark Gardner VanDevender.

Alford is the daughter of Vernon and Jane Simmons. She is the granddaughter of Sammy Alford and late Madron Harvey Alford and Tate Simmons and the late Fay Jack Simmons, all of Tylertown.

Conn is the son of Myra Conn and the late Thomas Conn. He is member of the Washington Baptist Church and enjoys outdoor activities.

Puddister is the daughter of Josie Grace and the late Dr. James B. Grace. She is married to Dr. Michael Puddister and they have two children, Joanna, 20, and Ginny, 18.

Sayers is the son of Mr. and Mrs. C.L. Sayers. He is married to Connie Sayers and they have a son, Casey, 18.

The Krewe lit up downtown Natchez on Friday with their parade titled &uot;Alpheus-Odyssey 2000.&uot;

The king, queen and their court rode on floats decorated in sci-fi themes.

King Alpheus IX appeared as Capt. Kirk on his Star Trek float and Queen Arethusa IX was Jane Jetson on her Jetsons float.

Alford and Sayers portrayed Princess Leah and Darth Vadar.

Representing &uot;The X-Files&uot; were Conn and VanDevender as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully.

And from &uot;Saturday Night Live&uot; the Coneheads came to life courtesy of Puddister and Willis.

The grand marshal for the parade was Rick Cleveland. Cleveland is the sports columnist for the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson.

He is married to the former Liz Baxter. They have two children, son Tyler, 14 and daughter, Annie, 10.