Mardi Gras in Mobile

[downtowndoll]

This year, I had the chance to go on Joe Cain Day and be in the parade. I was one of the costumed girls on The People Who Change the World float. I've never been on that side of it and it was so awesome! I didn't run out of stuff, which I worried about. I had bought a lot of good toys at the Dollar Store, which I enjoyed throwing out, but I think it's best to buy the larger beads with no attachments next time. Easier to unload and throw.

Here's another tip:
Try to get around Claiborne, where the floats line up beside the Theater side of the Civic Center. This is on Claiborne just South of Church Street. Before the parade, the floats will line up and wait for maybe 30+ minutes. The police allow you to walk beside the floats and basically it's you and the float people throwing pretty much their best stuff at you. Then they will clear everyone back to the route.
You can also catch the parade around here 3 times!
On the entire route, everyone was happy and having a good time. I was amazed how many people were packed in around Spring Hill Ave. and Broad Street. It was about 15 rows deep! But it was all orderly and all that. In general, the Broad Street area was the most crowded, since you can arrive there for parades later. As you moved East along Spring Hill Ave., it was way less crowded. There was no time to drink anything once we were rolling.

I really enjoyed Joe Cain, particularly the pre-party at the first float line-up off Texas Street. Very laid back and fun. We were one of the few costumed and loads of people took our photo as we walked around the float line-up.

Now for next year, there is a group called Le Krewe de Bienville. They are easily found on web by googling their name. (I am not in it, but I think it's commendable what they are trying to provide for visitors)
They provide, for a fee, spots so you can be in the parade. If you didn't want to do that, they had what sounded like very nice parties all weekend during the last weekend of Mardi Gras. You could at the very least attend their ball on Sunday night for $100 per couple. You would have to have white tie and tails and girls full-length ballgowns.
The king and queen of Mardi Gras show up there with their entourage. Also now is the time to be looking at which downtown hotel you want to stay in! I called in June to book the Battle House and the only night I could get was Monday night.

[Port_of_Bama]

Downtowndol reading your post is macking me home sick all over again. My mother called me Saturday and was bragging about how warm and beutyful it was down there. The only thing I was able to do is just think about the good ol days when we use to plan our Mardi Gra weekend out and go to every parade and then eat out. I told a few of my friends who went home this weekend to bring me a chocolate and brownie moon pie lol !