When most people think of Mardi Gras, their minds immediately go to the lively streets of New Orleans, but the true origins of America’s Mardi Gras can be traced 145 miles due east to Mobile, Alabama, the original birthplace of Fat Tuesday.

In 1703, French settlers established a community near present-day Mobile, Alabama, which was then part of French Louisiana. This tiny settlement, Fort Louis de la Mobile, became the site of the very first Mardi Gras celebration in the United States. Although the first event wasn’t marked by parades, masked revelers did take time to feast and celebrate before the fasting period of Lent began the next day. The group behind the festivities was called Masque de la Mobile, a secret society that laid the foundation for the Mardi Gras krewes still active today.

Masque de la Mobile continued its celebrations until 1709 and was succeeded by the Boeuf Gras Society, which carried on the Mardi Gras spirit from 1710 to 1861. These early celebrations centered around feasting and masked balls and set the stage for what would become a growing tradition in Mobile.

Just one year after the first masked ball, the first parade was held on Dauphin Street in 1711 and featured a unique twist—a massive papier-mâché bull’s head on wheels pulled by 16 men. The "Boeuf Gras,” or fatted ox, became a symbol of the pre-Lenten festivities, and the tradition continued to grow. Though on hiatus during the Civil War, a Mobile citizen named Joe Cain revived the tradition in 1866 with an impromptu parade down the city streets, marking the first Joe Cain Day celebration, which is still held every Sunday before Fat Tuesday.

While New Orleans’ Mardi Gras was adopted in 1718 and would go on to become one of the largest and most famous celebrations in the world, Mobile remains the true birthplace of this iconic tradition.

Mardi Gras in Mobile is more than just a day of partying—it’s an entire season of activity known as “Carnival.” According to Visit Mobile, Alabama, “over 40 parades roll through downtown Mobile (and across the area)”, beginning about two and a half weeks before Fat Tuesday, and the season “is a family-friendly time of parties, balls, parades and revelry.” During this time, local krewes—the name for Mardi Gras organizations—host a variety of events, including balls, parades, and the crowning of kings and queens. During the popular parades, masked revelers on elaborate floats throw beads, Moon Pies, and trinkets to the crowds, carrying on a tradition that began long ago. 

Not only is Mardi Gras a fun-filled experience, but it’s also big business for Alabama’s coastal counties, especially in the Mobile area. In fact, a 2020 WalletHub study revealed that Mardi Gras contributes a substantial $408 million to the local economy. The bulk of this revenue comes from tourism, including spending on hotels, dining, and retail. Additionally, the study highlighted that approximately 12,800 jobs are tied to Mardi Gras celebrations. From caterers and bands to formal wear retailers and food vendors, numerous businesses depend on the influx of activity brought by the Mardi Gras season.

But Mardi Gras in Mobile isn’t just about parades, tourism, and fun — it’s also about community. It’s about coming together to celebrate the city’s unique history and culture while honoring traditions that have been passed down for generations. So, however you choose to celebrate this year, just pause to remember that you’re honoring a piece of history that began right here in the Yellowhammer State!