In 1703, the tiny French settlement that would become Mobile celebrated America’s first Mardi Gras.
The 300-year-old tradition continues for 40 days of extravagant hand-crafted floats, lavish costumes and bright brass bands putting music in your feet. It’s a perennial playground of make-believe for carnival-goers of all ages culminating festivities on “Fat Tuesday.”
Each Mardi Gras season is influenced by Easter dates and Spring Equinox. The “Fat Tuesday” dates for coming years can be found here.
During Mardi Gras, Mobile hosts dozens of parades weaving throughout downtown Mobile– each one a chance to catch treasures being thrown from the floats. You definitely want a catch a “Moon Pie” – a decadent marshmallow cookie dipped in chocolate.
While in Mobile, blanket yourself in the season’s colors of purple, green and gold, explore the Mardi Gras Museum filled with ornate carnival artifacts, dig-in to generous portions of the catch of the day at a local restaurant and make yourself at home with a slice of King Cake. Southern hospitality will be on full display and wearing beads, of course.
Celebrate Mardi Gras with Mobile, Alabama!
Contact: Article Onze Tourisme, Representation of Travel South USA in France, Marie Loyola, Email: mloyola@articleonze.com
