Beaumont Mayor Guy Goodson, wearing a mask to conceal his identity, arrived by boat at Riverfront Park on Tuesday and was unveiled as King Neches LIX.   As his first duty, King Goodson officially opened the 59th Annual Neches River Festival. Listen   Download

"I was truly shocked," Goodson said in an interview with reporters after the ceremony, noting that last year he was honored by the Neches River Festival as Citizen of the Year. "This is all about the essence of our community which starts with this river." Listen   Download

Several members of Beaumont City Council were at the event.   Becky Ames, who hopes to succeed Goodson as mayor, said that she is proud of his selection as king.   Listen   Download

LuLu Smith, another longtime member of the city council, said that Goodson earned the honor.  Listen   Download

Council Member Nancy Beaulieu agreed.   Listen   Download

On Saturday, the Neches River Festival Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Calder at Martin Luther King and will end at the Crockett Street Entertainment District.   GuidryNews.com will cover the parade.