The Best Mardi Gras Parades in Mobile

Parades appeal to different people in different ways. It's said locally that it just takes two to parade and one to watch. For me, quality of throws and large crowds are the most important. Others may prefer locally-made floats with creative costumes. Some enjoy not being jostled by the crowds; most day parades will fulfill this requirement.

I am not a fan of the ladies' parades; they don't throw very well. The best ladies to watch are the previous weekend on Saturday night: Maids of Mirth and the Order of Butterfly Maidens. Both are smaller groups but the Maids of Mirth, or the MOMs, have great floats with fabulous costumes. The Butterflies began featuring lighted butterfly puppets several years back. There are other great ladies' parades but they are on weeknights. Order of LaShe's and the Order of Polka Dots are great, large parades on Tuesday and Thursday the week before. While they are wonderful and worthwhile parades, it becomes difficult on school nights.

Like any of the other Gulf Coast Mardi Gras cities, Mobilians have their preferences. All paradegoers enjoy being singled out and receiving a special throw. Any larger than normal beads is a special throw. Moonpies, even ramen noodles are welcome. You know you are special if you get a peppermint or peanut butter moonpie! There are quite a few people who will mow you down for moonpies. Stuffed animals are quite in demand, with the trend of old, used ones being unfortunate, unless you catch a cleaned Miss Smurf. Lately, with the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl win, Saints items are popular. Interestingly, doubloons lay untouched on the ground when thrown. They are not very popular here like they are in Biloxi, MS or New Orleans. Catching a rose from a marshall riding horseback is special, but we don't have the walking groups like Mississippi and Louisiana do. There are no kisses from the walking groups, sigh. Sometimes, accidental items are thrown: wedding rings, jewelry have been known to be caught. Once, I accidently threw my iPod and saw a man catch it, shrug his shoulders, and place it in his bag.

Friday night: The Crewe of Columbus, a large men's group generous with throws. I love the three ships of Columbus at the front. It's a great parade.

Saturday night: The Mystics of Time, the favorite parade of all Mobilians due to the fire-breathing dragon emblem floats at the beginning. A large men's group, in my opinion, the most generous with throws. Floats designed by New Orleans company- money is spent liberally to create an amazing parade.

Sunday Day: Joe Cain Day, or the People's Parade. Uniquely Mobile, but it is certainly the wildest day. Make sure you get a black rose or black beads from the Widows of Joe Cain. You can see the Widows around 10 a.m. at the Church Street Cemetary visiting Joe's grave before hopping on the parade.

Monday night: Infant Mystics Parade, one of the older men's group from the 1860's, decent throws but could do so much better. Interestingly enough, supposedly made up of wealthier Mobilians. If so, maybe the Recession has hit them hard.

Tuesday Day: Knights of Revelry, one of the older men's group from the 1870's. This is my favorite daytime parade and they have great throws, with plentiful amounts and a wide variety. Georgeous blue and silver colors in the daylight.

Tuesday Day: King Felix III parade, this has the king and queen of the Mobile Carnival Association on board with their accompanying cute pageboys.

Tuesday Day: Comic Cowboys parade- This is an old and interesting satirical group that locals love for their witty jokes about local newsworthy events. Don't expect elaborate floats; these are built simply to showcase their satire. The group has been poking fun since the 1880's.

Tuesday Day: MAMGA (Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association) , I have heard, has loads of throws but I always have to miss it. I have seen them in other parades and they threw whole boxes of moonpies. Very generous.

Tuesday Night: Order of Myths, the oldest parading men's group. Last parade of the season; honestly, this is one I can miss. Simply put, they aren't generous at all; surprising since they are an ultra exclusive society. Did the money run out???? Truly, the throws are at a trickle and there aren't many floats. They do have interesting floats that look homemade and the famous emblem float of Folly chasing Death.

These are by no means all the parades, just my favorites. Most of all, enjoy yourself and buy from a food vendor some chicken on a stick or a funnel cake and get ready for the best people-watching around!