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...it's Mardi Gras in "Mobile, 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. Historians disagree on who was 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 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."
OTHER EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!
Mobile: A Home Port for Carnival Cruise Lines
Oct 16th, 2004
Mobile, Alabama has been selected as a permanent homeport for Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator. The Carnival Cruise ship Holiday will dock at Mobile Landing setting sail on her first cruise October 16, 2004. Travelers will depart on 4 and 5 day vacations to the Western Caribbean with stops in Cozumel, Costa Maya and Calica/Playa del Carmen. For more information contact a cruise travel agent or www.carnival.com.
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Things to Do
Attractions
Absorb Mobile Bay's unique history as you view artifacts detailing the city's earliest beginnings to modern day heroes at innovative museums. Explore a mighty battleship from stem to stern or relive history aboard a World War II submarine. Enjoy nature at its finest and visit one of our unrivaled gardens. Blooming year round, these gardens are a part of our city everyone must see. Recapture the true spirit of Southern history on the veranda of an antebellum home. Check out the latest scientific discoveries through hands on exhibits or sit back and watch an IMAX movie. Greyhound races run nightly, so grab a bite to eat and cheer on the dogs. Any time of the year, on any day of the week, Mobile Bay is teeming with energy.
In Mobile there is something for everyone. Take a look at the variety of fabulous attractions.
Big Wheel Keep On Turning
The legendary National Historic Landmark Delta Queen® has been at home on the Mississippi River system since 1947 and will sail into Mobile for five Port of Call visits during 2004/05. For more information or to book your passage call 800.543.1949 or on the Internet at www.deltaqueen.com.
Relive America's Great Steamboat Era aboard the legendary DELTA QUEEN, a National Historic Landmark. Travel in style on the beautifully preserved steamboat with wood-paneled staterooms-each with an exterior view, stained glass transoms, glittering crystal chandelier, antique furnishings and vintage calliope. Steam from Mobile to New Orleans, and starting in 2005, cruise through rolling green hills, pastures and forests to Chattanooga.
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