Happy Lundi / Mardi Gras!!!

[Abe Sargent]

Happy Mardi and Lundi Gras and everything everyone!

Here are some pics I took from some recent parades, including today's, down here in good ol' Mobile!

Today's Noon parade (there are a bunch each day) featured kids, so these few pics are from the middle school folks that made and rode them. The floats aren;t as big or shiny as the adults, and the atmosphere was very kid-heavy and friendly:











Here are some of the nicer night parades, that I snapped as well. They make a new slate of parade floats each year, and there are tons of parades in Mobile alone. Like 30 or so during the season, including 3 today and 4 tomorrow.











Enjoy!

[Chief Rum]

Mobile, birthplace of Mardi Gras?

[CU Tiger]

Came for boobies, left disappointed .... j/k

[Abe Sargent]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Mobile, birthplace of Mardi Gras?

Correct! It started here in the states. Mobile was the first settlement of the French here on the Gulf Coast, and that's why it's the site of the oldest Catholic university in the south (where I work today), they started the Mardi Gras, and it was the capital and most important city for a long time. Eventually New Orleans took over as the cultural and economic hub due to the Mississippi River. But the institution in America began in Mobile, and then moved to the rest of teh Gulf Coast. I mean today you could check it out in places like Biloxi, Gulf Shores, Pensacola, and more. We are known as the best destination if you want to avoid the parties, spring break rowdiness, and bring your family to Mardi Gras. The second biggest. It starts on Senior Bowl weekend, and runs through today, with a ton of parades. There are dozens of local organizations that work on floats all year long. We even shut down and I'm off from work yesterday and today for Lundi and Mardi Gras.

Here's the parade schedule, also including nearby suburbs, of Mobile:

Mobile Mask - 2017 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule

Here's a Mardi Gras FAQ in case you are curious:

Mobile Mask - Frequently Asked Questions About Mardi Gras

[CrescentMoonie]

I never understood the fascination with parades until I got to spend Halloween in New Orleans. That's just a different thing altogether. Now I'm hoping to hit Mardi Gras in both NO and Mobile at some point.

[Abe Sargent]

I hear ya! This is my first year on the Gulf Coast, and I can see just how serious they take it here. I could show you all pictures of stacks of king cakes at stores that were much in excess of Christmas foods, or giant Christmas trees or decorations on houses and such that's very similar to Halloween or Christmas.

[ISiddiqui]

Happy Fat Tuesday! I'm going eat the crap out of some meat (as I usually give it up for Lent).