Mardi Gras, Mystics, and Moonpies...Oh My!

In the event that you should ever find yourself on Jeopardy hearing Alex Trebek read this answer, "Mardi Gras began in this city in 1703 when it was a colony of French soldiers" you will know the question...

"What is Mobile, Alabama!"

Yes, it's true. Though the infamous Crescent City to our west often claims ownership of Mardi Gras, it actually began here in Mobile some hundreds of years ago. Due to a little tiff between us Southerners and our neighboring states to the North, Mobile took a brief hiatus from the revelry. It was during that time that New Orleans continued with the festivities of Mardi Gras. Despite Union occupation of Mobile, Joseph Stillwell Cain revived the traditions of Mardi Gras in 1866. Thus, every year on the Sunday before Fat Tuesday, Mobilians celebrate Joe Cain Day, in honor of the man that brought Mardi Gras back to our Port City.

Mardi Gras in Mobile isn't just another holiday, it's a way of life. It arrives on the heels of the New Year's baby and its pageantry and traditions continue until the final float in the Order of Myths parade rolls to a halt, nearly a month and a half later. Mardi Gras in Mobile is much more than parades and moonpies. Unless you have a blood line tracing back to the ol' General Lee himself or a trust fund large enough to make Donald Trump envious, there's no breaking into some of the older Mystical Societies. But, alas there is still plenty of good times to be had for the rest of us. With parades every weekend leading up to Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras Galas to attend (upon invite of course), you are guaranteed to have your fill of all things mystic.

As is the way with all good things, Mardi Gras has come to an end...at least until next year. Tomorrow begins Lent and our city will return to normal, people will be back at work, and the humdrum of life in a Southern town will resume, just at a little slower pace.

L'assaie bon temps rouler, y'all!

Let the good times roll!

Taking it all in...

Enough with the mask, already!

Throw me something, Mister!

Baby likes moonpies, moonpies, moonpies. Baby likes moonpies!

A float of my very own!

Oh goody, feathers!

Another Mobile Mardi Gras tradition, decorating your home.

We were definitely in the Mardi Gras spirit!