Gulf Coast Mardi Gras

About this time every winter we get a bad case of cabin fever and thank our lucky stars some of our northern relatives defected to the land of sweet tea and fried okra. With nieces and nephews off for the week-long Mardi Gras celebrations we spent a long weekend near the Gulf Coast doing what the locals do: Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll)

Mobile, Alabama

With seven kids under the age of twelve, we set out to enjoy a family-friendly Mardi Gras starting with a Saturday afternoon parade in Mobile, Alabama, home of the original Mardi Gras celebration (for a great explanation of the history Mardi Gras, read this post at Travel 50 States With Kids). Winding through the historic downtown, the Mobile Mardi Gras parade is a bit like high school homecoming. With bands and dance troops, political candidates, and floats occupied by more kids than adults, families can buy regional grub from food trailers (or $2 cotton candy from the vendors pushing grocery carts up and down the streets).

Pensacola Parade

Finding a parking spot with relative ease, we pointed out historic buildings to the kids, including Fort Conde and warehouse buildings  where slaves arrived from Africa and were auctioned to plantation owners. Make sure and look for the historical markers and also the 600 pound electric MoonPie above the corners of St. Francis and St. Joseph Streets (the MoonPie drop is part of the MoonPie Over Mobile New Year’s Eve celebration).

Pensacola Beach, Florida

Leaving the parade with what most Mardi Gras fanatics would consider a sad colleciton beads, MoonPies, coins, and toys, we ventured out to Pensacola Beach, Florida for the following afternoon (Sunday). More of a “spring break” crowd, what the Mobile parade lacked in swag, the Pensacola Beach made up for in overall flair. With parade-goers decked out in beads, outfits, and themed collectables (parents, read between the lines here), the beach party had started long before our late arrival. Finding parking was a bit of a stressor, but we had thankfully packed a stroller and a wagon for hauling kids and to-and-from our parade watching spot.

Leah Cotton Candy

One tip for parents with younger kids, is to plan outhouse breaks with plenty of time for bathroom emergencies (there are NOT a lot of good places to change a diaper along the strip). Make sure and bring snacks and water (and sunscreen/hats), as you can easily wait up to two hours for the parade to begin. Most floats were playing loud music and throwing items far out into the crowd (some people stood back away from the metal gates for a better vantage point) and police officers on motorcycles were drag racing up and down the strip with sirens full blast. Quite literally loaded to the gills with beads and stuffed with MoonPies of varying flavors, one trick for receiving lots of stuffed animals and “good” beads is to bring an adorable niece with curly blonde hair.

Happy Mardi Gras

About the Author

Julie Henning
Julie Henning is a freelance writer and journalist based out of Eugene, Oregon. She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and owner of the family-travel website RoadTripsForFamilies.com. She is a recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. In March 2018 Julie Henning published the book "100 Things to Do in Eugene Before You Die" (Reedy Press). She is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and recent past member of the Midwest Travel Writers Association and the Association for Great Lakes Outdoor Writers. She has been published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Wisconsin State Journal, Travel Wisconsin, Travel Oregon, Hometown News Group, The Daily Journal (Kankakee, Illinois), the Rochester Post Bulletin, Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine (DNR publication), Experience Michigan Magazine, the Official Oregon Wine Touring Guide, Metro Parent Milwaukee Magazine, Eugene Cascades & Coast Official Visitors Guide, Trivago, Intercom Magazine, Roadtrippers.com, Amtrak.com, Eugene Magazine, and FTF Geocacher Magazine. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio. She has produced episodes for Journey of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. Julie has also produced travel apps with Sutro Media and Bindu Media. She works full time in marketing. Julie has appeared on Wisconsin Public Radio, Ohio Public Radio, and KCBX FM Central Coast Radio and is an affiliate producer with the Journeys of Discovery with Tom Wilmer, a National Public Radio travel podcast. She has blogged for TravelWisconsin.com, Travel Oregon, and VISIT Milwaukee. Julie travels with her three kids and black lab as much as possible and lives by the motto, "Not all who wander are lost." Check out some of her best work at www.juliehenning.com.