WORDS Tiffany Bell
For 38 parades and 16 days, we Mobilians put our differences, work, school, and sanity aside to partake in the madness that is Mardi Gras. At a very young age, we learn the Mardi Gras rules of thumb: you can never catch too many beads, and more importantly, Mobile is home to the first Mardi Gras in the U.S. While that “claim to fame” might be disputed in some circles (read New Orleans circles), there’s no denying Mobile has the closest Mardi Gras to Montgomery. In less time than it takes to watch “Wolf of Wall Street,” you can drive to downtown Mobile, possibly with time to spare to check in to a hotel, grab a drink and a front row spot at a parade. Bring the kids (optional), your MADE guide to Mobile Mardi Gras, and come see where it all started…we think.
Where to Stay:
Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
You can’t get any closer to the parades than the Battle House. Parades run right in front of the historic hotel, making it super easy to enjoy the Mardi Gras mayhem before settling in to Four Diamond luxury.
Where to Get the King of King Cakes:
Pollman’s Bakery
Open since 1918 and known for its bakery treats, Pollman’s is home to Mobile’s first king cake. The Mobile staple developed their own king cake recipe and have been making the Mardi Gras treat every season since 1959.
When to Go:
Friday, February 14 6:30 PM Conde Cavaliers Parade
Saturday, February 15 12:00 PM Bayport Parading Society Parade
7:00 PM Pharaohs’ Mystic Society Parade
7:30 PM Conde Explorers Parade
Thursday, February 20 6:30 PM Order of Polka Dots Parade
Friday, February 21 6:30 PM Order of Inca Parade
Saturday, February 22 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 23 6:30 PM Neptune’s Daughters Parade
7:00 PM Order of Isis Parade
Monday, February 24 6:30 PM Mobile Mystical Ladies Parade
7:00 PM Order of Venus Parade
Tuesday, February 25 6:30 PM Order of LaShe’s Parade
Thursday, February 27 6:30 PM Mystic Stripers Society Parade
Friday, February 28 6:30 PM Crewe of Columbus Parade
Saturday, March 1 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
Sunday, March 2 2:30 PM Joe Cain Parade
5:00 PM Le Krewe de Bienville Parade
Monday, March 3 11:00 AM King Felix, III Parade at Noon
12:00 PM Floral Parade
3:00 PM MLK Business and Civic Organization Parade
3:30 PM MLK Monday Nighter Mystics Parade
4:00 PM Northside Merchants
6:30 PM Infant Mystics Parade
Tuesday, March 4 – FAT TUESDAY
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 Asso.
6:30 PM Order of Myths Parade
MADE Favorites: Chef Wesley True’s Recommendations
Best parade: Krewe de Bienville on Joe Cain Day
Favorite catch: Oversized beads
Best bites: TRUE Midtown Kitchen or Bistro Escoffier
Grab a drink: Haberdasher, Bike Shop, The Garage