How to enjoy Mardi Gras in Mobile

Jared Sims
Adam Weinstein
English 101
20 November 2007


Mardi Gras was my most anticipated holiday as a child. Mardi Gras originated in my home city of Mobile, AL. All true mobilians know that the holiday did not begin in New Orleans but instead Mobile. Mardi Gras literal translation is Fat Tuesday which is French. Fat Tuesday is the main day of the holiday when the most parades ride. Revelers and Vendors began preparing for this holiday months in advance. Mardi Gras colors are green, gold, and purple. Weeks before the season starts you will begin to notice decorations throughout Mobile. As you drive through neighborhoods, you begin to notice flags and beads strewn everywhere. Stores decorate their windows, signs, and have special sales for the holiday. Parades vary depending on which organization is riding on that certain night. The magnitude of the crowd at parades all depends on the amount of throws they normally distribute. Throws range from moon pies, to beads, to candy, but sometimes you will catch something and just think, “What the hell?” The cost to join an organization varies depending on which you are attempting to join. If you want to enjoy Mardi Gras take note.

1) Parking

Parking is generally bad considering the high volume of people trying to squeeze into downtown Mobile. If you aren’t a big fan of walking I would suggest you to arrive at least an hour early to any parade. The best parking, depending on what area you prefer to stand in, is normally in the Mobile Civic Center or on Water Street. Parades follow three different routes depending on the day and parade. The easiest way to find out where the parades run is to either look on the internet or in the newspaper. If you know where to stand in advance, you can catch the parade twice.

2) Location

A hard core reveler observes his surroundings once he finds a place to stand. There are several questions you must ask yourself once you find a place to stand. The three key questions are listed as follows: Are there any balconies overhead? Is there anything that I can elevate myself on? Are there a lot of tall people in my area? Are there any skanks sitting on their boyfriends shoulders wearing low cut shirts? Balconies seem to attract a lot of attention for drunken people on floats. It almost seems as if the float rider’s goals are to see how much they can pelt onto a balcony before they pass it. If you are standing under a balcony I suggest that you move unless you want to go home empty handed. Elevation is also a key to catching throws, unless you are ugly or deformed. Look for objects that you can elevate yourself on to make you stand out from the rest of the crowd. Tall people are a reveler’s nightmare. Always observe the people in your immediate area to make sure you aren’t standing by Lurch or Shaquille O’Neal. Tall people seem to squeeze their way into crowds of shorter people disrupting the flow of throws in the area. Every parade I have been to there has always been some skank wearing a low cut shirt with her belly button showing that has hopped up on her boyfriends shoulders to attract attention from float riders. The float riders see a beautiful young lady thanks to beer goggles and pelt this skank with all of their throws. I would suggest either staying either very far from the skank or in front of her to grab her throws.

3) Acquiring Throws

Technique is critical if you want to come home with a large amount of throws. Certain people take catching throws more seriously than others. If you are one of the serious ones you need to make sure you are following certain steps. Notice every float coming before it gets to you. Watch which riders are throwing the most throws. As the float begins to near, you will notice people with signs with random names on them. You can assume that these random names are people that the sign-holder knows that are on the float. If possible, stand as close to the sign-holder as possible, preferably in front of them. Attempt to get whoever is throwing the most throws attention. As throws begin to coast through the air there are several things you must take into account. You are standing shoulder to shoulder with people all around you. The goal of all the people you are standing around is the same as yours, to catch whatever is in the air. You must time your jump right if you want to beat competition. Do not be humble, do whatever you have to get throws. My most successful parades where I have caught a large quantity of throws are owed to my uncanny ability to snatch things away from people. I would have to suggest attending parades with groups of friends in case an unruly reveler gets angry about you snatching throws or being in their way.

4) Post-Parade Activities

After parades, one of two things to do is stroll around downtown. Downtown Mobile offers a variety of things to do during the Mardi Gras season. People generally associate downtown with being a strict adult venue, but I had some of the best times of my life in downtown Mobile when I was still in grade school. Dauphin Street is the center of all attention during Mardi Gras. People line balconies and throw beads on revelers as they mingle in the street. Radio stations set up on balconies of bars, generally accompanied by topless girls to attract a crowd. Bars are plentiful in downtown Mobile and suit a variety of audiences.

5) Exiting

Exiting big events is some people’s worst nightmare. Revelers angry from not catching enough throws are normally going to exhibit some type of road rage so you must be careful. Downtown Mobile is not the easiest place to maneuver around after parades. The faster you get to your car the quicker you will get out of the area. People that come from Mississippi and Florida use Interstate 10 to head home. I have found from experience that if you exit using the new Interstate 65, you will avoid a lot of traffic. As you exit, sit back, relax, and think of how fun of a time you just had at Mardi Gras in Mobile.