Alabama Coasting Ramblings and Ruminations
November 12, 2015
Welcome to Mobile – the Mother of Mystics. Despite urban legends
to the contrary, every Mobilian can tell you with impunity the truth about how Mardi Gras came to be celebrated in its festive North American manner. Of course, Mobile is the Mother of Mardi Gras. Case closed, you’ll hear.
Well, I’m not going weigh in on that issue. Besides, we don’t really have a problem with our cousins’ version of our family celebration. We’re quite comfortable welcoming those who visit, sharing with all our Alabama Coast hospitality. After all, Mardi Gras in Mobile is truly a family celebration. The kids will have a great time as they are showered with doubloons, stuffed animals, beads and – of course – MoonPies. Parents and "kids of all ages” will enjoy the pageantry of the parades, the enthusiasm of the marching bands and will likely become caught
up in the "battle for beads.” Everyone becomes immersed in the cacophony of sights and sounds that never seem to end. Frankly,it’s just plain fun!
You’ll also find that the spirit of Mardi Gras extends well beyond the parade routes. It’s deep in the hearts and souls of us all. Respect for tradition, for family, for our values is, to borrow a phrase, "the fabric of our lives” down here. During this season of frivolity, we shake off a bit of the stresses of everyday life. We remember to smile, to laugh, and to not take ourselves – or life – too seriously. We remember funny stories of past Mardi Gras, renew our personal family traditions and start new ones. You’ll find that we love Mardi Gras for reasons too simple and too complex to clearly explain. Most importantly, we love sharing Mardi Gras with you.
Thank you for coming to play with us. Please make yourself at home because you’re family, too! Of course, we want you to be careful. A party this big can be a bit daunting at times. Keep an eye on the kids, pace yourselves and don’t forget to take a timeout from Mardi Gras to experience some of the rest of what the
Alabama Coast has to offer. And as our favorite cousins to the west like to say, "Laissez les bon temps rouler!”