Did you know Mardi Gras Started in MOBILE, AL

I know I know, everyone knows about Mardi Gras in NOLA.  And we are only 2 hours away. But, the original Mardi Gras started many years ago in Mobile, Al.  We got to experience our first Mardi Gras season with our move to the greater Mobile area.  We went to a bunch of parades.

Dauphin Island, AL
Mobile A (that is the route)
Daphne, AL
Bay Minette, AL

We learned very quickly, after being told we would become bead selective...that you get a ton of beads!  Over the four parades we got over 20 lbs of beads!  Seriously over 20 lbs!  It was amazing.  Tons of other cool stuff too.  Light up sword, stuffed animals, footballs and then there are the coveted items!

 

As you can see we got a LOT of Moonpies.  I personally do not enjoy those....but everyone else in my house ADORES them!  See the beads!  And the frisbies!  So cool right.  Of course my husband catching that light up sword in mid air was so awesome to see!  No we don't have small children but.....even us adults like toys.  Especially when they look like light sabers.  Just saying.

There are two items that are a must catch....above the beads. Above the moonpies. And when you see them flying through the air you can only pray you get one.  (not gonna lie one we found walking back.  I could have jumped up and down because we now collect them....

CUPS!

The Krewe's do cups.  With their logo for that year.  Some just do a logo and stick with it.  But either way..cups are precious!

COINS! Dabloons!  Yes must have!

You will see people walking slowly through the streets after the parade hoping to find some.   They are coveted and also have the Krewe's information.  One of our friends found a last year model and a this year model.  How cool is that!

If you are going to come to Mardi Gras  I have some tips!

1. Get there early! If you want a prime parking spot and a prime location to really see the parade....get there early.
2. Bring something long with you.  Whether it be a grabber or a rake.  You will need something to reach out and grab items that do not quite make it to the barricades.  Sometimes these are coveted items. 
3.  Watch out.  Everyone says Mardi Gras is for kids and yes it is but......there are some parents who feel like they don't have to watch their kids and more than once this year I was stepped on, pushed out of the way by or kicked by a kid.  They saw us trying to grab something through the fence and pushed me out of the way and took it.  Not really well behaved I guess.  I mean we actually had intended on seeing what it was first and probably passing it off to a kid that didn't seem to have caught a lot but...anyhow.
4.  Ask which parades to go to.  Our personal reference. Dauphin Island we will not do again.  Just not a big parade for so many people that show up.  Daphne Shadow Barons - AMAZING!  Mobile A - Amazing (we saw Conde Caveliers amazing)  Bay Minette - Small but a secret stash load.  They have lots of throws for a smaller amount of people.  I call this the sleeping giant parade.  One parade people were posting they caught bootleg DVDs and pregnancy tests and mini nippers.  That is the one that anyone can join the krewe and I guess can throw anything but I am sure that I don't need to catch a pregnancy test.  Just saying. 
5. Bring a bag to carry your stash.  Like a reusable grocery bag or something.  And a clip to hold the bag to the barricade.  Like one of those rappelling clips that everyone uses for different things works best. 
6. Even if you can't stand right up front its ok.  People on these floats will launch stuff.  Seriously launch it.  Even in the back you will get stuff.

MOST OF ALL HAVE FUN!  See you next year for Mardi Gras.  Check out the Mobile Mask for lots more information about Mardi Gras and videos too on Facebook or on their website!