Coastal Alabama is packed full of Mardi Gras Events in February. Locals in Mobile and Baldwin county will proudly tout that Mobile is the home of Mardi Gras, contrary to popular belief. The national media coverage that New Orleans receives for its Mardi Gras festivities would have most believing that Mardi Gras originated there. But don't let Mobile residents hear you say that! They will quickly correct you.
The Mardi Gras celebration in Coastal Alabama parallels that of the early Europeans and even dating back to the Romans. "Carnival" was adopted by the early Church as a way for Christians to abandon the rules of religion for 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. During this time people would partake in food, drink, music and all other elements of celebration.
When the New World was forming, the first Carnival like events were said to occur in Mobile, thus crowning our sweet home Alabama the Grand-Daddy of Mardi Gras in America. Mobile will not take credit for the drunken bead slinging, body bearing bash that occurs just west of our parts, however. Our Coastal Alabama is proud to celebrate Mardi Gras as the family friendly event that our area holds high esteem for.
With parades and balls spanning from early January 2012 throughout February, snowbirds and visitors alike are urged to join in the local celebration without fear of inappropriate instances- rather, be prepared to take in the fresh beats of some of the best area marching bands, as well as the unexplainable intricacy of the amazing floats that our area Mardi Gras organizations prepare for our viewing pleasure. If you are able to attend a night time parade your senses will not be disappointed! Lights, sounds, and atmosphere are sure to excite.
If you aren't able to make it, check out the Mobile Mardi Gras Cams:
http://www.cityofmobile.org/webcam/index.html
http://www.cityofmobile.org/webcam/index2.html
Calendar of Coastal Alabama Mardi Gras Events and Parades:
Thursday, February 9
6:30 pm Order of the Polka Dots Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
Friday, February 10
6:30 pm Order of the Inca Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
6:30 Mailds of Jubilee
(Downtown Fairhope, AL)
6:45 Order of Persephone
(Olde Towne Daphne, AL)
Saturday, February 11
2:00 pm Mobile Mystics Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
2:30 pm Mobile Mystical Revelers
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
6:30 pm Maids of Mirth Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
7:00 Knights of Ecor Rouge
(Downtown Fairhope, AL)
7:00 pm Order of Butterfly Maidens Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
7:30 pm Krewe of Marry Mates
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
Sunday, February 12
6:30 pm Neptune's Daughters Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
7:00 pm Order of Isis Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
Monday, February 13
6:30 pm Mobile Mystical Ladies Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
7:00 pm Order of Venus Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
Tuesday, February 14
6:30 pm Order of LaShe Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
Thursday, February 16
6:30 pm Mystic Striper Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
Friday, February 17
6:30 pm Crewe of Columbus Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
6:30 pm Maids of Jubilee
(Downtown Fairhope, AL)
Saturday, February 18
12:00 noon Floral Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
12:30 pm Knights of Mobile Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
1:00 pm Order of Angels Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
2:00 pm Krewe of Mullet Mates
(County Road 1, Fairhope, AL)
5:30 pm Mystics of Pleasure
(Orange Beach, AL Perdido Beach Blvd., from Live Bait to the Perdido Bay Bridge)
6:00 pm Mystics of Time Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
6:30 pm Coronation of Queen to King Felix III
(Mobile Convention Center)
Sunday, February 19
2:00 pm Arrival of King Elexis I
(Foot of Government Street, (Downtown Mobile, AL)
2:00 Loyal Order of the Firetruck
(Daphne, Mayday Park & through neighborhoods of Olde Towne Daphne!)
2:30 pm Joe Cain Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
5:00 pm Le Krewe de Bienville Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
5:30 pm Les Femmes Cassettes Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
8:15 pm Coronation of King Elexis
(Mobile Civic Center)
Monday, February 20
11:00 am Arrival of King Felix III
(at foot of Government Street, Downtown Mobile)
12:00 Noon King's Parade and Floral Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
3:00 pm MLK Business and Civic Organization Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL Route D)
3:30 pm MLK Monday Mystics Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL Route D)
4:00 pm Northside Merchants Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL Route D)
6:30 pm Infant Mystics Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
7:00 pm Order of Mystic Magnolias
(Fairhope, AL)
Tuesday, February 21
Mardi Gras Day
FAT TUESDAY!
(always the day before Ash Wednesday)
10:00am Gulf Shores Parade
(Highwy 50 from LuLus/Intracoastal Bridge to East Beach Blvd. @ the Hangout)
10:30 am Order of Athena Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
12:00 Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Parades
Unite for Combo-Parade
(on East Beach Blvd from 'The Hangout' to Perdido Pass Bridge)
12:30 pm Knights of Revelry Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
1:00 pm King Felix Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
1:30 pm Comic Cowboys Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL)
2:00 pm Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association
(Downtown Mobile, AL Route B)
6:30 pm Order of Myths Parade
(Downtown Mobile, AL Route C
Schedule of Mardi Gras Balls in Coastal Alabama
http://mobilemardigras.com/Balls/balls.php
Read more about the History of Mardi Gras
http://www.mobile.org/vis_mardigras.php
