Mardi Gras Mobile: What You Need to Know

Mardi Gras in Mobile is a very exciting time for locals and visitors alike. The city really comes alive in the colors and celebration of the Carnival. This year marks the longest Carnival period since 1943- 62 days! The days of revelry before Lent begin on January 6^th, and come to an end on March 8^th. Many people don't realize this since New Orleans is known for their Mardi Gras celebrations, but Mardi Gras actually began in Mobile with the Cowbellion de Rakin society in 1830. Mardi Gras in Mobile offers a fun family experience.

If you grew up here, or if you are just visiting, there are certain things you must do to get the whole experience of Mardi Gras.

1) Get a king cake! Every grocery store in these parts sell them, or you can get one from a downtown bakery such as Pollman's bake shop.

2) Go to the parades! Here is a listing of parades in the Mobile area:

Saturday, February 5

1:00 pm Krewe De La Dauphine Parade

(Dauphin Island)

Saturday, February 12

1:00 pm Island Mystics Parade

(Dauphin Island)

Friday, February 18

6:30 pm Conde Cavalier Parade

Saturday, February 19

2:30 pm Bayport Parading Society

6:30 pm Pharaoh's Mystic Society Parade (www.thepharaohs.org)

7:00 pm Conde Explorers Parade

Thursday, February 24

6:30 pm Order of the Polka Dots Parade

Friday, February 25

6:30 pm Order of the Inca Parade

(www.orderofinca.com)

Saturday, February 26

2:00 pm Mobile Mystics Parade

(www.mobilemystics.com)

6:30 pm Maids of Mirth Parade

7:00 pm Order of Butterfly Maidens Parade

7:30 pm Krewe of Marry Mates

Sunday, February 27

6:30 pm Neptune's Daughters Parade

7:00 pm Order of Isis Parade

Monday, February 28

6:30 pm Mobile Mystical Ladies Parade

7:00 pm Order of Venus Parade

Tuesday, March 1

6:30 pm Order of LaShe Parade

Thursday, March 3

6:30 pm Mystic Striper Parade

Friday, March 4

6:30 pm Crewe of Columbus Parade

Saturday, March 5

12:00 noon Floral Parade

12:30 pm Knights of Mobile Parade

1:00 pm Order of Angels Parade

6:00 pm Mystics of Time Parade

6:30 pm

Coronation of Queen to King Felix III(Mobile Convention Center)

Sunday, March 6

2:00 pm Arrival of King Elexis I

(at foot of Government Street)

2:30 pm Joe Cain Parade

5:00 pm Le Krewe de Bienville Parade

5:30 pm Les Femmes Cassettes Parade

8:15 pm

Coronation of King Elexis

(Mobile Civic Center)

Monday, March 7

11:00 am Arrival of King Felix III

(at foot of Government Street)

12:00 Noon King's Parade and Floral Parade

3:00 pm MLK Business and Civic Organization Parade

(rolls on Route D)

3:30 pm MLK Monday Mystics Parade

(rolls on Route D)

4:00 pm Northside Merchants Parade

(rolls on Route D)

6:30 pm Infant Mystics Parade

Tuesday, March 8

Mardi Gras Day

FAT TUESDAY! (always the day before Ash Wednesday)

10:30 am Order of Athena Parade

12:30 pm Knights of Revelry Parade

1:00 pm King Felix Parade

1:30 pm Comic Cowboys Parade

2:00 pm Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association

(rolls on Route B)

6:30 pm Order of Myths Parade

(rolls on Route C)

3) Go check out the Mobile Carnival Museum. This is a great place to learn about the history of the celebration. There are some really cool things to see there! Admission is only $5.00 for adults, and $2.00 for children aged 3-12. See their site here: http://www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com/

Let loose and have a good time! Catch some beads and moon pies, and take plenty of photos. Laissez bon temps rouler!