Party Line: Carnival parties wind down

artificial grapesThe royal couple participated in RaMet's mini float parade atAppling Manor. "Tuscany" was the parade theme, so lots ofartificial grapes were used in float decorations. The young mencomprising the queen's Loyal Order of Scarabs held Queen Peytonaloft on a pallet decorated with plastic grapes and vines. Withbunches of grapes attached to his crown, King Howard joined thegroup. The 1978 movie, Animal House, was the theme of the grand krewe of Ptolemy's toga party Thursdaynight at the University Club of Memphis. The king and queen wereexempt from wearing togas. And no costumes made out of bed sheets for the Scarabs, either. "Wewear tails no matter what," said Michael O'Mell. "No togas." Proud clubs present their own royalty Memphis clubs honored their Carnival Memphis princes and princesseswith parties during Carnival Week. This year, the University Club of Memphis held a party for itsroyalty outside on the tennis courts. Princess Selden Elise Humphreys and Prince Sisco Larson were presented Friday at "Cruisin' at the U-Club." That was thefirst time since 1992 they've held the annual Carnival party on thecourts, said Oakley Jordan, University Club president. He wanted to "bring back romance, bringback magic, bring it back to what it was." Princess Laura McKee and Prince Neely Mallory were presented Thursday night at The Memphis Country Club. Princess Taylor Crow and Prince Whitt Tucker were honored at a reception earlier that day at the NineteenthCentury Club. Taylor Rebecca West was the Tournament Players Club at Southwind princess, Adrienne Lloyd Adler was princess of the Chickasaw Country Club and Virginia Tully Dickinson was the Racquet Club of Memphis princess. And don't forget, it's a party with a purpose This year, $100,000 was raised by Carnival Memphis and its grandkrewes for the Children's Charity Initiative beneficiaries: theCystic Fibrosis Foundation, Carnival Memphis Kids' Cafe and theHarwood Center, said Ed Galfksy, Carnival Memphis executive director. The announcement was made at a barbecue supper Thursday afternoonat the Memphis Zoo. Among those attending were members of the organizations andCarnival dignitaries. To see party videos go to commercialappeal.com. To see more partypictures, go to iDivamemphis.com. Contact Michael Donahue at 529-2797 or e-mail donahue@commercialappeal.com .