Mass wedding performed by Who Dat King part of Saints event at Island View

GULFPORT -- Put together an autograph session with former Saints players, an appearance by the Gamemobile, entertainment by New Orleans band the Bucktown All-Stars, a food truck selling Lucky Dogs and a mass wedding and vow renewal performed by the Who Dat King (an Elvis impersonator) and you have the makings for a Black and Gold Super Celebration at Island View Casino.

The celebration is a family event and will be from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 21 at Island View's southwest parking area.

A highlight of the day will be a meet-and-greet and autograph session with former New Orleans players, including return specialist Tyrone Hughes, wide receiver and return specialist Michael Lewis, cornerback Fakhir Brown and wide receiver Joe Horn.

Known for his touchdown celebrations -- Horn once made a cellphone call from the field after scoring -- he's even more well-known for his support of the people of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Horn says he shows up "Anytime I can give back and be part of something that can help the community."

The celebration will raise money for the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence, which offers free and confidential services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in the six Coast counties.

The event will be held rain or shine, and tickets can be purchased at the gate with a $5 donation to the Women's Center.

In a phone interview with the Sun Herald, Horn called out his fans and all men in the area to come out and show their support for the cause.

"Any man who puts his hands on a woman is a coward," he said. "That's not a fan of mine."

He's retired from football and now is known for Joe Horn's smoked sausage -- "Horn Dogs" -- and his Bayou 87 barbecue sauce that were among the most popular items at MGM Park during the Biloxi Shuckers' first season.

"I'm blessed," he said and he wants to share that with his fans. "Come out and have some fun at Island View Casino," he said.

Also scheduled for the Black and Gold Celebration are:

n More than 20 high-profile Who Dat "super fans," including Soul Saint, Sister Soul Saint, Gametime Saint, Bead Man, Da Coach, Da Pope, Gris Gris Man and the Who Dat Chef

n The Island View Who Dat Corral, with super fan vehicles Gametime Saint's The Gamemobile, Sergeant Saint's Jeep and Audrey and Speedy Rodrigue's Saint's Mustang and Soul Saint's The Soulcycle.

n Entertainment by New Orleans band Bucktown All-Stars

n Face painting, a "dirty bird" dunking booth, a raffle and live auction featuring sports memorabilia, sports collectibles for purchase and black-and-gold nail art and neck and shoulder massages from Island View's Blue Shell Spa

n Festival food by regional vendors and sides by the Ponchatoula-based Give it to God competitive barbecue team

Nancy Williams and David Lewis of Long Beach are one of five couples who are signed up to get married during the celebration by Randy Bonneval, an ordained minister who is known as the Black and Gold Elvis and Who Dat King.

Another 25 couples have already registered to renew their vows in the 1:30 ceremony that likely will be the largest such event on record in South Mississippi.

"I've always been a fan of Elvis," said Williams. And not just a regular Elvis impersonator -- "The Who Dat King is going to marry us," she said.

The two were married before and she said, "God has brought us back together. He's giving us a second chance."

She'll be wearing a pink formal gown with tiny rose trim and their daughter will be their witness in a matching yellow dress. Several family members plan to be there as they exchange vows.

They saw a sign at the casino and were the first to sign up for the wedding. "We'll have a great story to tell our grandkids when they get older," she said.

All couples joining the event will receive a commemorative Black and Gold Who Dat "marriage license" but the real marriage and renewal licenses must be applied for in advance.

For details email BlackAndGold@IslandViewCasino.com.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 5:05 PM with the headline "Mass wedding performed by Who Dat King part of Saints event at Island View ."