Lundi Gras — the Monday before Mardi Gras — brought a packed schedule of parades and festivities to Mobile and the Eastern Shore on February 11, 2013. From one of the city’s oldest mystic societies rolling through downtown to a Cajun-inspired costumed bike ride through Midtown, the day offered something for every flavor of carnival enthusiast.
The Infant Mystics Ride Again
The Infant Mystics, one of Mobile’s most storied Mardi Gras organizations, took to their traditional Route A for their evening parade at 6:30 p.m. Founded in 1869, the society has long been known for its lavish masquerade balls and generous throws, and the 2013 ride carried on that tradition in grand fashion.
Mobilians on Bikes Launch Cajun-Style Courir de Mardi Gras
In a colorful new addition to the city’s carnival calendar, the cycling group Mobilians on Bikes held its first annual Courir de Mardi Gras — a bicycle-based take on the traditional Cajun Mardi Gras celebration. The costumed ride began at Murphy High School, where participants pedaled door to door through Midtown neighborhoods, “begging for lagniappe” at member homes along the route.
The festivities included a Bayou Chicken Chase, in which costumed riders pursued a designated chicken runner through the streets of Midtown Mobile until the quarry was caught. The ride concluded at the home of the group’s captain, where participants gathered for a Cajun-style gumbo party complete with zydeco music.
A Full Day of Parades
The rest of the day’s lineup included the Floral Parade at noon along Route A, the Prichard Parade also at noon, and three afternoon parades along Route D: the MLK Business and Civic Organization parade and the MLK Monday Mystic Adults parade, both at 3 p.m., followed by the Northside Merchants parade at 4 p.m. Over in Fairhope, the Order of Mystic Magnolias paraded through downtown at 6:45 p.m., capping off a full day of celebrations across the region.