But there's more to Mardi Gras than can be found in New Orleans. Especially in the Western and Southern part of the country, many towns have small parades and costume balls to celebrate Mardi Gras. Highlights include the Grand Marshall's Ball on Friday, February 23, King Elexis I Motorcade on Sunday February 25, as well as a coronation, royal feast, the Mammoth parade as well as the over a dozen other parades and handful of balls. Mobile will introduce you to a whole new form of southern comfort. Based on a Cajun New Orleans type of festivity, there are several parades, concerts, carnival rides and parties.
Fireworks end the event with a bang.
The party begins February 22 and ends February 25. Many hotels in the area offer discounted rates for the celebrations. The Sunshine State offers one fabulous party Floridian style down in Pensacola . There's a disco dance and a marathon and even a beach party. The days leading to Shrove Tuesday are filled with parades.