Mardi Gras
General madness overtakes Mobile annually in the months, weeks and days preceding Ash Wednesday as chants of "Moon Pie! Moon Pie!" and "Throw me something Mister!" fills the air in historic Mobile. The rules governing civilized behavior are temporarily suspended...it's Mardi Gras in "Mobile, the Mother of Mystics."

New Orleans may have the better known celebration, but Mobile's was the first and arguably the best. Legend tells us that Mobile's earliest settlers apparently couldn't wait to get started. Mobile's first Mardi Gras celebration dates back to 1703, only one year after the city's founding. Historians disagree on who was responsible for organizing the celebration. Originally called Boeuf Gras (Fatted Ox), the celebration was one of feasting and revelry on the day preceding Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season which leads to Easter. The celebration, now called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras Day.

It was in 1857 that the Mobile members of Cowbellian de Rakin Society, formed in 1830 traveled to New Orleans and assisted with the formation of the Crewe of Comus, considered New Orleans' most prestigious Mardi Gras society.

Dozens of mystic societies build colorful Mardi Gras floats and parade through downtown Mobile during the weeks preceding Mardi Gras Day. Masked society members throw doubloons, candies, beads and moon pies to excited crowds that scamper about for the Mardi Gras memorabilia. And Mobile's celebration is good, safe fun the whole family can enjoy. Enjoy Mardi Gras where it all began, in Mobile, Mother of Mystics."

Mardi Gras  Parade Schedule

iTunes  "Mardi Gras in Mobile" is now available for download on the App Store for free

Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA) EVENTS open to the public
Where do I stay? Hotel Guide
Where to eat? Restaurant GuideRestaurant Guide
RV Parking:  Call Civic Center Parking Director 251 208-7486 (Reservations will be taken after Dec. 1, 2007)

Download "Mardi Gras in Mobile" by Ray Farnell and the Moon Pie Band (featuring the Murphy High School Jazz Band). Courtesy of Dogwood Productions

Mardi Gras in Mobile Web sites

The Etruscans form in 1950 and is the first and oldest married couple’s organization in Mobile
Local Legacies - History of Mardi Gras Originated in Mobile Alabama
Mardi Gras Vendor Information
Mardi Gras History Museum
Toomey's Mardi Gras
Mobile Popcorn
The Mother of All Mardi Gras
Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau
Mobile Carnival Museum, a Museum full of Mardi Gras history
Mobile Mystics Mardi Gras Association
Mobile & Alabama Mystic Societies & Organizations
University of South Alabama Links

What's a moon pie? Visit the Official Moonpie Website to get the scoop!

Motor Home parking (251) 208-7486