The Original Mardi Gras: Mobile, AL
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Mardi Gras in Mobile!
Most people associate Mardi Gras in the US with the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is true that New Orleans hosts the largest and most popular Mardi Gras, but they were not the first to celebrate the Carnival season. That honor goes to their smaller neighbor to the east: Mobile, Alabama. Mobile hosted its first Mardi Gras celebration in 1703, long before New Orleans. And Mardi Gras is still celebrated in this quiet southern town every year. While New Orleans has the reputation for the largest and wildest Mardi Gras, Mobile prides itself on having a "family friendly" Mardi Gras celebration. Welcome to Mobile, Alabama, the birthplace of Mardi Gras!
(P.S. If you have found this page interesting or educational, please take a moment to "like" this lens at the top of the page before leaving. Thanks!)
Thoughts from Ash Wednesday -- 2/22/12
Wednesday, February 22, 2012 -- Ash Wednesday
Well, another Carnival season has come and gone. Nothing left to do now but clean up and start preparing for Mardi Gras 2013.....which is only 355 days away, by the way. But who's counting, right? Until then, laissez bon temps roulet!
Well, another Carnival season has come and gone. Nothing left to do now but clean up and start preparing for Mardi Gras 2013.....which is only 355 days away, by the way. But who's counting, right? Until then, laissez bon temps roulet!
Fast Fact: 2011 Was Longest Carnival Season Since 1943
Hey, did you know that 2011's Mardi Gras season was the longest since 1943?The twelfth night after Christmas, also known as Epiphany - is always Jan. 6. It marks the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of Carnival. Mardi Gras Day, or Fat Tuesday, marks the close of Carnival, and it is always measured backward from Easter (the first Tuesday beyond 47 days before Easter). And Easter is always the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Kind of complicated, I know, but this really is how the dates for the opening and closing of Carnival season are set. So the date of the occurence of the first full moon after vernal equinox, determines how long Carnival (Mardi Gras) will last each year. Last year, 2011, was the longest Mardi Gras season since 1943, running from January 6 until March 8.....a total of 61 days!
Countdown to Mardi Gras Day 2013
Mardi Gras Day 2013: February 12, 2013
CNN Agrees: Mobile First to Mardi Gras
CNN Fact Check investigates the origins of Mardi Gras in America. Read what they have to say about which city in America was the first to celebrate Mardi Gras. It may surprise you.
- CNN Fact Check: Where was the first U.S. Mardi Gras held? - CNN
- The merriment and mayhem of Mardi Gras comes to a climactic end on Fat Tuesday. But where did the celebration begin? Despite the holiday's rich history in New Orleans, Louisiana, Mayor Sam Jones of
LA Times Loves Mobile's Mardi Gras
Acknowledges Mobile's Status as Originator of Mardi Gras
- Mardi Gras in Mobile, Ala. - latimes.com
- Mobile knows a thing or two about Mardi Gras; it's been celebrating Fat Tuesday since 1703. These days, Carnival season means a bevy of parades and balls in a family-friendly atmosphere.
The Official Song of Mobile's Mardi Gras
Free MP3 download!!
Download your free MP3 of "Mardi Gras in Mobile" by Ray Farnell and the Moon Pie Band. It's a very catchy tune that embodies the spirit of Mardi Gras in Mobile. And it's the official song of Mobile's Mardi Gras celebration.
- "Mardi Gras in Mobile"
- By Ray Farnell and the Moonpie Band.
- Mardi Gras Music
- Like Mardi Gras music? Like the jazzy sounds of New Orleans? Then check out my Mardi Gras Music lens on Squidoo! There's plenty of downloads for you to sample. Let the good times roll!!
Mardi Gras Webcam!
Live Mardi Gras Webcam in downtown Mobile, ALThis is a link to a live video webcam in downtown Mobile. This webcam is located on a building near the corner of St. Michael Street and Royal Street, and it faces south down Royal Street towards Government Street. Parade routes A, B, & C all roll right by this camera, so nearly every parade is visible from this webcam. Click on this link during a scheduled parade time to watch the parade live! See parade schedule below.
Mobile, Alabama Live Police Radio Traffic
Want some real entertainment? Listen to live police radio traffic during Mardi Gras. You'll hear some interesting calls for sure. Listen live by following the link below.....
- Live Police Scanners on Squidoo
- Live law enforcement scanner traffic from around the country.
"Mobile First To Mardi Gras"
Op-Ed Column from The Brewton Herald 3/8/06
On March 8, 2006, the Brewton Herald (Brewton, AL) ran an op-ed piece entitled "Mobile First To Mardi Gras". The column dicusses how Mobile was recently overlooked by MSN.com when it ran an online feature about the top 12 places in America to celebrate Mardi Gras. I read MSN.com's feature the day that it ran, and I agree with the writer of this column that Mobile was slighted, but I don't like her comment about losing an opportunity to take over Mardi Gras at a time "when New Orleans was down", which makes it sound like Mobile wants to take advantage of New Orlean's misfortune. (That is definitely NOT the case.) But everything else in her article is right on point. Here's the link:
History of Mardi Gras in Mobile
- History of Mardi Gras in Mobile
- A brief history of Mardi Gras in Mobile, AL by the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- A King's History of Mardi Gras
- This is a rather detailed history of the Mardi Gras celebration as told by a former king of Mardi Gras and president of the Mobile Carnival Association.
- Mobile Mardi Gras Timeline
- This is a timeline of the history of Mardi Gras in Mobile from 1699 through 2003. There are a few pictures to go along with the timeline of events.
- LOC's History of Mardi Gras in Mobile
- This is a brief history of Mobile's Mardi Gras celebration from the Library of Congress American Folklife Center.
- MobileMardiGras.com
- This website has info about Mardi Gras in Mobile, including a brief history.
Who Is Joe Cain?
And why is he dressed like that?
Joe Cain was a native Mobilian and former Confederate soldier living in Mobile following the Civil War. He is credited with reviving the spirit of Mardi Gras in the city of Mobile during the period of Reconstruction and Union occupation. Read more about the legend, history, and mystery of Joe Cain in the Joe Cain links section below. Joe Cain
Mobile's Original King of Mardi Gras
- The Joe Cain Procession
- A brief history of how Joe Cain revived Mardi Gras in Mobile in the late 1800's after the Civil War, and how the modern-day parade named in his honor came to be.
- Wikipedia: Joe Cain
- Joe Cain's entry in Wikipedia
- Find a Grave: Joe Cain
- Some photos of Joe Cain's famous final "resting" place in Mobile's historic Church Street Cemetery. There is also a short write-up on Cain himself.
- Photograph of the Week: Joe Cain's Grave
- This is a link to a very cool photo taken by a professional photographer several years ago on Joe Cain Day in Mobile. There is also a very short write-up by the photographer himself describing the scene he captured and the events taking place that day. This photo is part of a series taken in 2000 to depict what life in Alabama is like at the turn of a new century.
Mardi Gras Throws
Links To Articles Explaining The Various "Throws" And How They Originated
Candy, beads, doubloons, moonpies! Oh my!
- History of Doubloons (Mardi Gras Coins)
- This is a brief yet interesting article about the origin of one of the most prized Mardi Gras throws, the doubloon (coin). There is some mention of various Mobile krewes and when they first adopted the practice of throwing doubloons.
- History of Moonpies as Throws
- Did you know that throwing Moonpies during Mardi Gras is a tradition unique to Mobile? This article explains how Mobile's "official food of Mardi Gras" first came to be tossed from a Mardi Gras float. For more info on Moonpies, see links below in the Moonpie Module.
- Black Roses
- Black roses are another Mardi Gras throw that is unique to the city of Mobile. They are handed out by Joe Cain's Merry Widows when they make their annual pilgramage every Joe Cain Day to "mourn" at Old Joe's grave in Mobile's historic Church Street Cemetery.
Joe Cain's Merry Widows
Moonpie: The Official Food of Mardi Gras
(At least in Mobile, Alabama)
- Moonpie!
- The Moonpie is one of the most coveted items that you might catch at a Mardi Gras parade in Mobile. People in the crowd chant for them "moonpie! moonpie! moonpie!" or "Hey, mister, throw me a moonpie!". It is a true southern delicacy.
- Wikipedia: Moonpie
- Wikipedia entry on the famous Moonpie
2012 Mardi Gras Schedule
All parades roll on Route A unless otherwise noted. All times CST.
Saturday, January 21 1:00 pm Krewe De La Dauphine Parade, Dauphin Island
Saturday, January 28
1:00 pm Island Mystics Parade, Dauphin Island
Friday, February 3
6:30 pm Conde Cavalier Parade
Saturday, February 4
2:30 pm Bayport Parading Society
6:30 pm Pharaoh's Mystic Society Parade
7:00 pm Conde Explorers Parade
Thursday, February 9
6:30 pm Order of the Polka Dots Parade
Friday, February 10
6:30 pm Order of the Inca Parade
Saturday, February 11
2:00 pm Mobile Mystics Parade
2:30 pm Mobile Mystical Revelers Parade
6:30 pm Maids of Mirth Parade
7:00 pm Order of Butterfly Maidens Parade
7:30 pm Krewe of Marry Mates Parade
Sunday, February 12
6:30 pm Neptune's Daughters Parade
7:00 pm Order of Isis
Monday, February 13
6:30 pm Mobile Mystical Ladies Parade
7:00 pm Order of Venus Parade
Tuesday, February 14
6:30 pm Order of LaShe Parade
Thursday, February 16
6:30 pm Mystic Striper Parade
Friday, February 17
6:30 pm Crewe of Columbus Parade
Saturday, February 18
12:00 pm 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 King Felix III and Queen (Mobile Convention Center)
Sunday, February 19 (Joe Cain Day)
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 I and Queen (Mobile Civic Center)
Monday, February 20
11:00 am Arrival of King Felix III (at foot of Government Street)
12:00 pm 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, February 21
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)
Future Mardi Gras Day Dates:
2013 - February 12
2014 - March 4
Parade Routes
- Parade Route Maps
- This is a link to maps of the various parade routes.
Mobile Mardi Gras Organizations and Krewes
If you would like your orgnization's link here, contact the lensmaster
- Cain's Merry Widows
- The official website of Joe Cain's "Merry Widows"
- Le Krewe de Bienville
- The official site of Le Krewe de Beinville, an organization chartered to promote Mobile Alabama as the Birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States of America.
- Mobile Mystics
- Official website of the Mobile Mystics society
- Mystics of Time
- The official website of the Mystics of Time (MOT's)
- Order of Angels
- The official website of one of Mobile's newest parading societies. Check them out!
- Order of Inca
- Official website of the Order of Inca
- The Pharaoh's Mystic Society
- Official website of the Pharaohs
Mardi Gras Music
- Mardi Gras In Mobile
- Click this link to download the song "Mardi Gras in Mobile" by Ray Farnell and the Moon Pie Band (featuring the Murphy High School Jazz Band). Courtesy of Dogwood Productions
- Let the Good Times Roll
- Also, Click here to hear the brand new Mardi Gras song from The Rayz, "Let the Good Times Roll".
Mardi Gras: Mobile's Paradoxical Party
- Mardi Gras: Mobile's Paradoxical Party
- This editorial gives a somewhat different view (albeit an interesting one) of the past and present of Mobile's Mardi Gras season.
Travel Alabama: Mardi Gras In Mobile
From CNN.com on 2/5/04
- CNN Travel - Alabama: Mardi Gras In Mobile
- An archived article from the Travel section of the CNN.com website.
Mobile Mardi Gras In Pictures!
Professional Photography of Mobile's Mardi Gras Celebration
- Mobile Press Register: Conde Explorers & Order of Pharaohs
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Married Mystics & Maids of Mirth
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Order of Polka Dots
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Order of Inca
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Neptune's Daughters
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Mobile Mystics
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Mobile Mystics
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Order of LaShe's & Order of Venus
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Mystic Stripers
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Crewe of Columbus
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Mystics of Time
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: King Elexis Parade & The Joe Cain Procession
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Infant Mystics
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: MLK Parade
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Floral Parade
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Mardi Gras Hats
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Mardi Gras Kids
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Mardi Gras Law Enforcement
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Mobile Press Register: Only At Mardi Gras
- Parade photo gallery from the photographers of the Mobile Press Register
- Photo from AP Photo by JOHN DAVID MERCER
- Photo from AP Photo: A reveler from the Mystic Stripers Society tosses beads to the crowd along South Claiborne Street, in this Feb. 23, 2006
Ready to experience the Original Mardi Gras firsthand?
Book a trip to Mobile and find out what the fuss is all about!
Book your next Mardi Gras vacation to the beautiful port city of Mobile, Alabama and experience the original Mardi Gras and some good old fashioned southern hospitality to boot!
Great Stuff on CafePress
Mardi Gras News From Mobile, AL
News feed from Google News
The Mobile Carnival Museum
Mobile's Own Mardi Gras Museum
The Mobile Carnival Museum provides a glimpse into the history and pagentry that is Mardi Gras in Mobile. The museum is open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9AM-5PM. Admission is $5.
- Mobile Carnival Museum
- Website of the Mobile Carnival Museum
Books About Mobile and Mardi Gras
I couldn't find any books on Amazon that were specifically about Mardi Gras in Mobile. What a shame.....maybe I'll write one someday. Anyway, here are some books that may be of general interest to someone who would like to learn more about our great city or the festival of Mardi Gras.
More Books About Mobile, Alabama
Still More Books About Mobile, Alabama
I Want To Hear From You!!!
Leave me a blurb about this lens (or anything else on your mind).
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BiminiBahamas
May 2, 2012 @ 5:21 am | delete
- Well, I learned something new today ... thanks for sharing!
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kendrafowler
Feb 21, 2012 @ 11:35 pm | delete
- Wow!! Absolutely informative and interesting. Did not know that Mardi Gras had so much of history to it! Great lens!!
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jimbarnes Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:47 pm | delete
- sounds like fun
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Mamaboo Feb 21, 2012 @ 6:44 pm | delete
- I may have missed it, but what about the necklaces?
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- thanks so much for your lens. I hope you update the list of events. I'm sure they will change from year to year. Be blessed and enjoy!
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Michey Feb 21, 2012 @ 5:04 pm | delete
- Mardi Gras is a great event with an explosion of energy, fantasy, friendship, and above all good time.
I didn't know that in USA Mobile Alabama was the start of everything.
Thanks for historic facts, they are precious
Regard
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jstarley Feb 21, 2012 @ 3:13 pm | delete
- I love this lens! I really didn't know where the original US Mardi Gras came from; you only hear about New Orleans. I will have to go to this event one day. Thanks for the information and awesome pics!
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MrWFS49
Feb 21, 2012 @ 1:09 pm | delete
- Great Information on the Mardi Gras.
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ronberry Feb 21, 2012 @ 11:38 am | delete
- Wow - great lens. History, education, nice pics and I can even book a trip all from this lens! And have a schedule of events once I arrive. 2 big Thumbs UP!
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CelticWays
Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:35 am | delete
- this is quite an eye opener ... and all those links too !!!
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entertainmenteveryday
Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:18 am | delete
- Great Mardi Gras lens! Lots of valuable information.
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Mia-Mia
Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:13 am | delete
- A great lens. Thanks for reminding everyone that Mobile had it first. Now if we can get newscasters to pronounce "Mobile" correctly...
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:13 am | delete
- I had no idea Mobile hosted the original Mardi Gras. Cool! Enjoyed learning more about the roots of this celebration. "Throw me somethin, mister!" :-)
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Justswimmingly
Feb 21, 2012 @ 10:06 am | delete
- Great lens! I had no idea Mardi Gras was started in Alabama.
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winlin
Feb 8, 2012 @ 7:42 am | delete
- Ah, Mardi Gras. I believe I'm the only one in my circle of friends that hasn't been. -Bucket List-
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Other Mardi Gras Themed Lenses on Squidoo
Check Them Out!!!
- Mardi Gras Music
- My other Mardi Gras themed lens. This one lists the best Mardi Gras music of all time and offers links to downloads.
- Mardi Gras
- Great lens by Ernie Mosteller, that features some general information about Mardi Gras and how it is celebrated throughout the U.S. and abroad.
- Mardi Gras Books
- Heath Row has created this lens to highlight some Mardi Gras books that you might want to peruse the next time you're in the bookstore.
A Few Parting Words
If you've read your way all the way through this lens, then I commend you. You are a hard core reveler, indeed! I hope you've found this lens to be informative and fun. I welcome any and all comments. If you have a suggetion for how I can improve this lens (or if you just want to say hi), please utilize the "contact lensmaster" link to send me a note to let me know you were here. Also, I would appreciate it if you would take the time to "like", "tweet", "+1", and "pin" this lens using the links at the top and bottom of the page. This will help me guage how well this lens is being received. Finally, I invite you to explore all of my lenses (some are more complete than others) by utilizing the "my other lenses" link near my picture and bio. Thanks for visiting the Original Mardi Gras lens! Check back often for updates!
by sewjr24
I am a native of Mobile and take great pride in the fact that my hometown is the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the US. If you would like to contribute... more »
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