Costume Xpress

Gras Mask Mardi

Gras Mask Mardi

Mardi Gras in Mobile is Fun for the Whole Family

All one has to do is travel to the Southern part of the United States at the right time of year to experience these enduring traditions for oneself. Every year beginning with the annual Camellia Ball held Thanksgiving evening, the Queen of Mardi Gras is chosen from Mobile’s shining debutantes. After the queen has been selected, her King is chosen and so are the members of the court. From pages to knights and Ladies in Waiting, in the south for one glorious season, royalty is alive and well. Traditionally the King and Queen of Mardi Gras reign over the magic of Mardi Gras. In addition, for Mobile this means a street party that lasts for about two weeks. From the day after Mardi Gras ends one year, planning begins immediately for next year’s festivities. For the citizens of Mobile there really are only two seasons, B.C. and D.C., which of course stand for Before Carnival and During Carnival.

There are several parading societies in Mobile, Al and while New Orleans may be known for a bigger and wilder celebration, Mobile is where it all started. Since 1703, Mobile has been celebrating Mardi Gras and that was 15 years before New Orleans was founded. In addition, except for that unfortunate War of Northern Aggression (as it is called by some southerners) and the two World Wars, nothing comes between the people of Mobile and their Mardi Gras celebrations. Mardi Gras day was actually declared a holiday by the Alabama Legislature for the city of Mobile and most of the town shuts down to celebrate the event.

Mobile has another unique tradition not shared by New Orleans – Joe Cain day. Joseph Stillwell Cain, jr is credited with bringing back the Mardi Gras tradition after the Civil War. In 1866, Mobile and the rest of the south was forced to endure the occupation of Union soldiers, partly as a snub to them and partly to bring back some form of gaiety after the grimness of war, Joe Cain and a few of his cronies decided to dress up as Indians and parade through the streets. The costume Joe Cain had chosen was that of the Chickasaw Indian Chief, Slacabamorinico. This was a deliberate insult to the occupying Union troops because Slacamorinico had never been defeated in battle. Joined by Confederate veterans, the impromptu parade of “borrowed” coal wagons were the beginnings of what became the Order of Myths, Mobile’s longest parading society.

Today, Joe Cain is remembered with his own day. The Sunday before Fat Tuesday is officially known as Joe Cain day in Mobile, Al. It is complete with its own parade and procession of “Cain’s Merry Widows”, mysterious women, heavily veiled and cloaked in black mourning attire. Before the parade, the widows proceed to Government Street cemetery where Joe Cain is interred, to pay their respects to their dearly depart husband. It is rumored that each was married to Mr. Cain and arguments abound as to which wife was his favorite. The parade held in his honor is also unique. It is known as the “people’s parade” as it is not sponsored by any particular organization rather everyday citizens simply sign up and march in the parade.

While New Orleans Mardi Gras is a much wilder event, Mobile still holds the honor of being the first to celebrate the holiday in the United States. In addition, Mardi Gras in Mobile is definitely a family event. No need to leave the children at home when attending Mardi Gras festivities in Mobile, you can feel safe bringing the entire family along for the fun. In fact, the Saturday before Fat Tuesday has long been dedicated to the children of the city. The Floral Parade is held that Saturday and the Juvenile Court is presented and rides in the parade. There are rides and face painting and balloons set up just for children on this day. Many families pack lunches and enjoy sitting in Bienville Square watching all the events unfold around them. With the temperate climate, family friendly atmosphere and plenty to see and do during the Mardi Gras season, Mobile is the perfect place to come for that mid winter trip for fun and relaxation with the whole family.

 

 

About the Author

Ronnie Tanner is a contributing writer at Toomey’s Mardi Gras. He writes about mardi gras masks and other industry specific topics.

Mardi Gras pt 3: full face mask

Mardi Gras Feather Mask $6.96 Mardi Gras Feather Mask

Mardi Gras Mask $14.99 Mardi Gras Mask

Mardi Gras Mask Glasses $9.95 Mardi Gras Mask Glasses

Butterfly Mardi Gras Mask $8.99 Butterfly Mardi Gras Mask

MARDI GRAS VENETIAN MASK $19.99 MARDI GRAS VENETIAN MASK

Mardi Gras Mask Pinata $14.99 Mardi Gras Mask Pinata

Mardi Gras Half Mask – Mardi Gras Costume Accessories $13.16 Mardi Gras Half Mask

Mardi Gras Mask w/ Stick $7.99 Mardi Gras Mask w/ Stick

Jester King Mardi Gras Mask $19.99 Jester King Mardi Gras Mask

Half Feather Mardi Gras Mask $7.99 Half Feather Mardi Gras Mask

Mardi Gras Mask Mylar $7.99 This 31″ Mardi Gras Mask Mylar balloon would be the perfect addition to your Mardi Gras Soiree. This Mardi Gras Mask Mylar balloon is imprinted on both sides.

Mardi Gras Sequin Feather Mask $5.99 Mardi Gras Sequin Feather Mask Mardi Gras Time! Includes: Mardi Gras Sequin Feather Mask Available Sizes: One Size Fits Most

Golden Mardi Gras Mask $11.99 Venetian Mardi Gras Mask with Stick Simple and Elegant masquerade mask! This beautiful gold Mardi Gras stick mask is as elegant as it is timeless. Available Sizes: One size fist most 12 and up

Psycho Mardi Gras Mask $11.99 Full Psycho Mardi Gras Mask A great mask for Masquerade, Carnivals, and Mardi Gras parties! Includes: Full face black, gold and white mask. Available Sizes: One size fits most 12 and up

Cinnamon Mardi Gras Mask – Mardi Gras Accessories $10.72 This Mardi Gras Cinnamon Mask is elegant and sexy with gold frame and bright feathers. You’ll be beautifully mysterious at the Mardi Gras Parade or Ball!

Deluxe Black Mardi Gras Mask – Mardi Gras and Masquerade Masks $12.37 Deluxe Black Mardi Gras Mask with lace and stones.

Mask, Mardi Gras Tall Feather $7.49 Mask, Mardi Gras Tall Feather Rise Up With This Fun Mask! Includes: Mardi Gras Feather Mask Available Sizes: One Size Fits Most

Multi Color Mardi Gras Feather Mask – Mardi Gras Masks $9.07 For a stunning mask that is sure to turn heads add this Multi Color Mardi Gras Feather Mask to your Mardi Gras Costume!

Deluxe Mardi Gras Mask $9.96 Features a Deluxe Female Face Mask with feathers and streamers in the traditional colors of Mardi Gras.

TRAGEDY MASK Gold Mardi Gras Masquerade Accessory $7.99 TRAGEDY MASK Gold Mardi Gras Masquerade Accessory

Golden Flower Mask – Mardi Gras Costume Accessories $13.16 Golden Flower Mask – Mardi Gras Costume Accessories

Venetian Mask – Mardi Gras Costume Accessories $28.01 Venetian Mardi Gras Mask – Green Purple and Gold

Holographic Mardi Gras Mask 37 Foil Balloon $6.99 Holographic Mardi Gras Mask 37″ Foil Balloon

Mardi Gras Mask Beads Pkg/3 $2.99 The Mardi Gras Mask Beads are a Mardi Gras party must have. Each of the 48 inch mask beads features a variety of styles of masks and round beads. The Mardi Gras Mask Beads come in assorted colors – gold, green, and purple. These affordable Mardi Gras Beads come in packages of 3.

Mardi Gras Mask Beaded Necklaces $8.97 What a value! You will get three strands of Mardi Gras Mask Beads for one very low price. Nothing says Mardi Gras like a masquerade party. These necklaces combine the colors of Mardi Gras, the mask that is an icon of Mardi Gras…

Mardi Gras Mask Mardi gras Sweatshirt by CafePress $39.5 Mardi Gras Mask Apparel and Gifts Happy Mardi Gras Masks You Can Wear Very traditional black and white Mardi Gras mask on t-shirts, buttons, mugs and more Mardi gras Sweatshirt Tee, TShirt, Shirt Warm up in our stylin’ Hanes Heavyweight 90/10 cotton/polyester sweatshirt. Thick but not bulky, for maximum comfort and durability whether you’re working out or hanging out. 10.1 oz. patented PrintPro174; fabric in a 90/10 cotton/polyester

Mardi Gras Mask Each $49.99 This Bourbon Street Giant Mask is a great way to jazz up your party! Each Large Mardi Gras mask measures 4 feet tall X 5 feet 5 inches and is made from cardboard. Add this to any Mardi Gras Party to transform your event. Easy assembly.

Mardi Gras Mask Cutout Each $39.99 Use the Mardi Gras Giant Cutout Standee as a theme decoration at your next Mardi Gras party. The Mardi Gras Mask includes curling ribbon and balloon accents and is printed on one side. The Mardi Gras Giant Cutout Standee is 5 feet high x 3 1/2 feet wide and easy assembly.

Black Mardi Gras Mask T-Shirts $22.4 New Orleans inspired feathered Mardi Gras mask with beads and Mardi Gras text.,T-Shirts, black.

White Mardi Gras Mask T-Shirts $25.4 New Orleans inspired feathered Mardi Gras mask with beads and Mardi Gras text.,T-Shirts, white.

Purple Purple Mardi Gras Mask T-Shirts $22.4 New Orleans inspired feathered Mardi Gras mask with beads and Mardi Gras text.,T-Shirts, purple.

Black Blue Mardi Gras Mask T-Shirts $22.4 New Orleans inspired feathered Mardi Gras mask with beads and Mardi Gras text.,T-Shirts, black.

Mardi Gras Cape Adult $32.99 Includes: long cape in traditional Mardi Gras colors: Purple,Green & Gold with high collar. Mardi Gras mask not included.

Deluxe Gold Mardi Gras Mask – Mardi Gras and Masquerade Masks $12.37 This Deluxe Adult Gold Mardi Gras Mask is the height of elegence and is sure to turn heads when paired with your mardi gras costume!

Tri-Color Sequin Mardi Gras Mask – Mardi Gras and Masquerade Masks $8.24 This classic harlequin-style Tri-Color Sequin Adult Mardi Gras Mask is the perfect thing to top off your mardi gras costume!

White Snowflake Mardi Gras Mask – Mardi Gras Costume Accessories $11.54 This White Snowflake Mardi Gras Mask is all elegance, dazzle, delicate white feathers and shiny silver frame. It’s just perfect for the Mardi Gras Parade or Ball.

Purple Butterfly Mardi Gras Mask – Mardi Gras Costume Accessories $9.04 This Purple Feather Butterfly Mardi Gras Mask Accessory is provacative, pretty, and shiny! Perfect for your passionate Mardi Gras fun experience!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 04:16 and is filed under costume. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.