UPDATE: Louisiana Weekly Profile of Yellow Jackets Big Chief Thomas Sparks, Senior (Was: Volunteer Seamstress or Tailor Needed ASAP)

65 years of new suits for 80-year-old Mardi Gras Indian

20th February 2012  By Geraldine Wyckoff
The Louisiana Weekly

Thomas Sparks Sr., the Big Chief of the Yellow Jacket Mardi Gras Indian gang, marks two momentous milestones this month. On February 17, 2012, he celebrated his 80th birthday and Carnival Day stands as the 65th anniversary of when he began masking Indian. He again has needle and thread in his calloused hand, sewing his suit for his appearance this Mardi Gras. When the Big Chief steps out with the Yellow Jackets, which he’s led since 1955, he’ll be the oldest Black Indian on the streets.

Read the whole article on the Louisiana Weekly website

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Thanks to those who helped spread the word and who offered assistance. 

Yellow Jackets Big Chief Thomas Sparks requests the volunteer assistance of a local seamstress or tailor to sew his jumpsuit ASAP.

The Chief requires an all-in-one jumpsuit out of velvet. The Mardi Gras Indian Hall of Fame has a pattern, but it was cut to fit a small Indian; the Chief is 6'1".

At 80 years old, Big Chief Sparks is the oldest known Mardi Gras Indian still masking.

Please get in touch with Cherice Harrison-Nelson at xxx-xxx-xxxx if you can help.