Mobile is not only recognized as celebrating the first-known American Mardi Gras celebration in 1703 (yes, even before New Orleans), but also as home to the "America's Family Mardi Gras" which delights all ages from across the nation.This magnificent celebration lasts for nearly three weeks (January 29 to February 16) and culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. The entire celebration attracts crowds in excess of one-million people annually.
For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile Bay are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and excited crowds of parade goers. The floats are glowing spectacles manned by masked riders from secret Mardi Gras societies festooned in satin and sequins. They are armed with crowd-pleasing "throws" such as beads, moon pies, doubloons and candy.
Mardi Gras must be experienced to be fully understood and Mobile Bay is the perfect place to do so. For more information, parade schedules and maps call 1-800-5-MOBILE. Parades on Dauphin Island begin January 16 and parades in downtown Mobile begin January 29.
In Mobile where it all began you can learn about Mardi Gras customs and take a guided field trip through the new Mardi Gras Museum showcasing gowns, trains and crowns of Mardi Gras Kings and Queens. See the King, Queen and their royal court arrive during the beautiful Floral Parade.
For more information about top events in Alabama, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Alabama at http://www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-alabama.html
Or, take a look at the official web site for Mobile at www.mobile.org/