A Mobile Girl Raised on Mardi Gras

As a native of Mobile, Alabama, I fell in love with Mardi Gras at a young age. The tradition, the family atmosphere, and of course, the excitement of the throws and sounds. Never experienced? Let’s get you ready for next year to be prepared for the “Boom Boom”. What is the Boom Boom? It is the joyous sounds of Mobile Mardi Gras!

The Debate: Who Has the “Real” Mardi Gras?

Every year, the argument is who has the ‘real’ Mardi Gras celebration. Many people are unaware that the celebration extends to another city outside of New Orleans. Let’s learn some history of the holiday (yes, it is a holiday). The city of Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras, which started the first celebration in 1703. At that time, the state of Alabama did not exist, and Mobile was the capital of the Louisiana territory. Mobile and New Orleans were both founded by the same French settlers, which is not surprising given the similar characteristics of their city structures. So yes, Mobile is the BIRTHPLACE…. You can visit the Mobile Carnival Museum as your first stop to see why you should visit Mobile.

More Than a Weekend—Mobile Celebrates for a Month

For Mobile, Mardi Gras lasts roughly a month of celebration with parades, historic organization/mystic society balls, and cabarets. ‘Deep Gras’ is a term to recognize the final days of celebration. This is where most people come to celebrate. The last Friday through Tuesday is when you need to hydrate and take your vitamins. The excitement is non-stop! Mardi Gras organization balls like MAMGA and Original Dragons have elegant regalia and decorative umbrellas for second line dancing and announcing of royal courts, partying into the wee hours. The culture of Mobile Mardi Gras is centered around family. Many people I have met over the years stated that they feel at home. With over 1 million people visiting the Port City in 2025, I will give you a piece of what they experience.

Friday Night Magic: Crewe of Columbus

Friday night Crewe of Columbus rolls the streets of downtown Mobile for spectators to catch more than just beads. You can find yourself leaving with stuffed animals, bags of boiled peanuts, moonpies of all flavors, and so much more! The night is still young as ball attendees pack event halls. Saturday, you can find yourself on the streets of downtown all day for afternoon parades and partaking in some great carnival food from local vendors and hometown restaurants like Kazoola. You can attend about seven parades on that single day. Talk about a time!

Joe Cain Sunday: Tradition, Tribute & Turn Up

Joe Cain Sunday can be family-oriented, but let’s leave this day to the adults. For history lovers, Joe Cain is responsible for revitalizing Mardi Gras in Mobile in 1868. You can learn more about him in the Mobile Carnival Museum. Start your morning off with the widows of Joe Cain as they dance around his grave and weep in their black dresses. Around 3 pm the same day, they will parade in the streets celebrating his life. The fraternity house of Omega Psi Phi is where you will catch all the action. Get a fish plate, see the MAMGA Royal motorcade, and take pictures with people you just met! By this hour, you should be offered a conecuh sausage or crawfish, hopefully both with a shot of fine whiskey. Rest up at nightfall; you have two more days of carnival to go!

Lundi Gras: The Avenue is the Main Event

Lundi Gras (Monday) is all about the Avenue. If you have not caught on yet, the history runs deep behind the parade festivities. By this day, students in the local area are not in school. Most federal buildings are closed. We are now here to party! The MLK parade is later in the afternoon, but in order to get your spot on the Avenue, you may want to be present early that morning. Barbecue grills will be burning, and music will come from all directions. It truly is an all-day event…for one parade. This parade has the longest route. Make sure you are ready to take home all the throws from the floats. Bring a wagon and a couple of trash bags to collect. You are going to need it. Have you hydrated yet? If you have the strength, attend the night parade. If you are on your last, stop by Hart’s chicken, a local grocery store for ‘supplies’, and physically and mentally prepare for Fat Tuesday.

Fat Tuesday: Get Up With the Chickens

If you think it was early to have your spot for the Avenue, think again. Fat Tuesday, get up with the chickens. The ‘supplies’ you bought from the grocery store (drinks, napkins, toilet paper, wipes, cold chicken, cups, and your special drinks) need to be in the car with you. If you still feel the aches and drain from Monday, take a quick nap in the car before the morning parade. You will be moving quite a bit, so don’t forget your folding chair and that cold chicken. By the end of the Mammoth Parade, you will wonder where you are and what you do from that point. You will be rolling your ankle on smushed moonpies and broken beads in the street. Your clothes and hair will smell like charcoal smoke, as well as other kinds of smoke. The porta-potty will be shameful. The smile on your face, however, will still be there as you drag a bag full of honey buns, weird throws you fought a child over, and cups with future dates of the Boom Boom. Laissez bon temps rouler!