While most people associate Mardi Gras with New Orleans, the locals in Mobile are quick to tell you that their city is where the raucous celebration made its first appearance in North America. Observed by early settlers from as far back as 1703, the first masked parading society was formed in 1830.
Currently, over 50 parading and non-parading organizations participate in Mobile’s Mardi Gras festivities, held over three weeks every February, a time of balls, parades and pageantry. Drawing over a million visitors, Mardi Gras, considered to be a more family-oriented affair than its bawdier New Orleans counterpart, is the one time of year that the city doesn’t actively seek meetings business.
Nevertheless, groups can get a taste of Mobile’s Mardi Gras at any time of year. Mardi Gras-themed events, which can be held at the atmospheric Mobile Carnival Museum (www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com), are a staple offering of local DMCs such as Bay City Convention & Tours (wwwbaycityconventions.com).
“Depending on the budget, we can give people a little taste of Mardi Gras or put on an elaborate ball complete with a tableau—a historical skit presented by one of the local societies, Krewe de Bienville, just as they do at their own ball,” says Ross Peterson, owner of Bay City Convention & Tours. “There’s an evening of dining and dancing to big band entertainment and groups can select their own Mardi Gras king and queen.”
Housed in a historic mansion, the Mobile Carnival Museum is devoted to the history and culture of Mardi Gras, which is on vivid display with bejeweled robes, trains and crowns worn by past kings and queens of the events. A function room called the Den, which contains several elaborate parade floats, can be the setting for private parties for up to 200 people. Adjacent outdoor areas accommodate large tented events.
Along with the museum, the Mobile Bay region offers plenty of choices for off-site venues, Peterson says. His company has held outdoor parties in downtown’s Bienville Square, with a Mardi Gras-style parade leading participants to the square from the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center.
The USS Alabama Memorial Park is also frequently used for events, offering a variety of venues that include a battleship as well as an expansive building displaying vintage aircraft, including those flown by the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II.
“It’s a very flexible venue that is adaptable for many groups,” Peterson says. “We’ve had military reunion groups come out and do tours of the ship and then have lunch on board. We’re now planning a big USO-themed party for a medical association.”
