Members of the Order of Osiris, Mobile’s oldest-running LGBTQ+ Mardi Gras mystical society, say they weren’t entirely surprised to learn the organization won this year’s Reader’s Choice Award for Best Mardi Gras Ball — it’s the group’s seventh such win.
Formed in 1981, the Order of Osiris held its first ball in 1982 and has grown into an established fixture of Mobile’s Mardi Gras season, now counting roughly 50 active and associate members. The organization’s annual ball draws thousands of guests each year, built around an elaborate tableau vivant production that runs 90 minutes to two hours, complete with costumes, floats, music, lighting and theatrical props.
The society’s longevity places it among the more established mystical societies in Mobile’s Mardi Gras tradition, a scene built almost entirely around volunteer-run organizations that spend months each year producing elaborate, one-night productions for their members and invited guests. Winning seven Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Mardi Gras Ball over the years reflects a level of consistency that few of the city’s Carnival organizations can match.
The recognition adds another accolade to Mobile’s broader Mardi Gras season, which draws organizations across the city into friendly competition each year to stage the most memorable ball, parade or event during Carnival.