General madness overtakes Mobile annually in the months, weeks and
days preceding Ash Wednesday as chants of "Moon Pie! Moon Pie!" and
"Throw me something Mister!" fills the air in historic Mobile. The rules
governing civilized behavior are temporarily suspended. Why? Because it's
Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama....."The Mother of Mystics!"

New Orleans may have the better known celebration, but Mobile's was
the first and arguably the best. Legend tells us that Mobile's earliest
settlers apparently couldn't wait to get started. Mobile's first Mardi Gras
celebration dates back to 1703, only one year after the city's founding.
However, historians disagree on who was actually responsible for
organizing the celebration. Originally called Boeuf Gras (Fatted Ox), the
celebration was one of feasting and revelry on the day preceding Ash
Wednesday and the Lenten season which leads to Easter. The celebration,
now called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras Day.

It was in 1857 that the Mobile members of Cowbellian de Rakin Society,
formed in 1830 traveled to New Orleans and assisted with the formation
of the Crewe of Comus, considered by some to be New Orleans' most
prestigious Mardi Gras society.  

Dozens of mystic societies build colorful Mardi Gras floats and parade
through downtown Mobile during the weeks preceding Mardi Gras Day.
Masked society members throw doubloons, candies, beads and moon pies
to excited crowds that scamper about for the Mardi Gras memorabilia.
And Mobile's celebration is good, safe fun the whole family can enjoy.
Enjoy Mardi Gras where it all began, in Mobile, Mother of Mystics."
MOONPIE! MOONPIE!

The moonpie is one of
Mardi Gras most coveted
treats. But, did you know
that the moonpie is
unique to Mobile? While
thrown in other
celebrations around the
Gulf Coast, you won't
find one of these treats
in New Orleans!
Who is Joe Cain?
Joe Cain was a
native Mobilian and
former Confederate
soldier living in
Mobile following the
Civil War. He is
credited with
reviving the spirit of
Mardi Gras in the
city of Mobile during
the period of
Reconstruction and
Union occupation.
History of
Mobile Mardi Gras