MOBILE MARDI GRAS


It's Time For the Boom Boom!!!

In Mobile AL sometime in February a strange phenomenon begins to take over this ordinarily sleepy southern town. Otherwise perfectly rational people begin to line the streets some dressed in ridiculous costumes yelling at passing floats for trinkets and candy that they ordinarily wouldn't pay a dime for. The whole city lets loose for an outdoor citywide party. What could cause such strange behavior? This phenomenon is known as Mardi Gras, (or to some locals as the Boom Boom!).


So are the people of Mobile going mad? I don't know. Maybe for a time, but after Fat Tuesday things begin to return to normal.

Mardi Gras ( French for Fat Tuesday) marks the last day before the start of the lenten season (Ash Wednesday). In Mobile this day is filled with parades and other activities. However the Mardi Gras season covers the entire two weeks before Fat Tuesday. Each night a different mystic society (similar to the Krewes of New Orleans) puts on a parade in the streets of downtown. They also hold balls, but these are usually private and exclusive to members only.

This year Fat Tuesday will be on February 16. So if you find yourself in Mobile Alabama at that time be sure to partake in the festivities.

Mardi Gras History

So where did this strange tradition begin? No one knows for sure, but according to a number of sources the festival celebrated in the United States began right in little ol' Mobile AL. Yeah there's a larger more famous celebration about a hundred miles away in New Orleans, but this page is about the Mardi Gras that I grew up with.

Review of Mardi Gras 2000

If you want to read about the Mardi Gras Celebration held in that other city visit this web site. It's pretty informative and the two celebrations are quite similar.

New Orleans Mardi Gras

But if you want to read about the Mardi Gras Celebration that is near and dear to me visit one of these web sites.


2000 Mobile Mardi Gras Parade Schedule


Friday, Feb. 18
Conde Cavaliers Parade 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 24
Order of Polka Dots Parade 6:15 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 25
Order of Inca Parade 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 26
Mobile Mystics Parade 2:00 p.m.
Maids of Mirth Parade 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 27
Pharoahs Parade 2:30 p.m.
Mystic Friends Parade 3:00 p.m.
Neptune's Daughters Parade 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 28
Krewe of Marry Mates Parade 6:30 p.m.
Mobile Mystical Ladies Parade 7:15 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 29
Order of LaShes Parade 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Mar. 1 (nothing scheduled at this time)

Thursday, Mar. 2
Mystic Stripers Society Parade 6:30 p.m.

Friday, Mar. 3
Crewe of Columbus Parade 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Mar. 4
Floral Parade 12:00 p.m.
Knights of Mobile Parade 12:45 p.m.
Mystics of Time Parade 6:30 p.m.
Coronation of Queen to King Felix III ** Mobile Convention Center 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Mar. 5 Arrival of King Elexis at foot of Gov't Street 2:00 p.m.
Joe Cain Procession Parade 2:30 p.m.
Le Krewe de Bienville Parade 5:00 p.m.
Les Femmes Cassettes 5:30 p.m.
Coronation of King Elexis *** Mobile Civic Center Theatre 8:15 p.m.

Monday, Mar. 6 Arrival of King Felix III at foot of Gov't Street
King & Knights Parade followed by Floral Parade 12:00 p.m.
Luncheon for King Elexis 1:00 p.m.
M. L. King Children's Parade 3:00 p.m.
Infant Mystics Parade 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Mar. 7*****FAT TUESDAY*****
Order of Athena Parade 11:00 a.m.
Knights Of Reverly Parade 12:45 p.m.
King & Queen's Parade 1:00 p.m.
Comic Cowboys Parade 1:30 p.m.
Mammoth Parade 3:00 p.m. (Parade route B)
Order of Myths Parade 6:30 p.m. (Parade route C)

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