The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade

Celebrations across the Gulf Coast begin on January 6, the Twelfth Night (Feast of Epiphany). The celebrating grows stronger each day until Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.



Here's how you can tell what day Fat Tuesday falls on each year: Ash Wednesday is always 40 days before Easter. Back up a day and you've got Fat Tuesday.

Or if you really want to be safe, I'll update this page each year.

Fat Tuesday 2012 is on February 21.

The main attraction in Gulf Shores on Fat Tuesday is the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade. In 2012 the parade is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Intracoastal Canal Bridge over Highway 59 (beach side).

The Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade will move down Gulf Coast Parkway and turn on East Beach Blvd (towards Orange Beach). Double check the exact route, or you can just follow the people.

The Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade begins later that same day (Fat Tuesday) at 2:00. It begins at Wintzell's and Romar Lakes condominiums and moves towards Highway 161.

These parades are obviously free, and they are very big events for both visitors and residents. Island schools are even closed that day, and many school children participate in the parades, representing their clubs and sports activities.

Our daughter is the girl just behind the flag pole. This one was some years back when she was a cheerleader.

We have found that the best place to be to get the most stuff is near the end of the parade routes. Parade participates are instructed to ration the throws so that they last for the entire route. They often become more generous towards the end when they discover that they've got too much left. I have seen whole bags of beads tossed near the end.

The total attendance for both the Gulf Shores Mardi Gras Parade and Orange Beach Mardi Gras Parade is about 30,000 spectators, which is a lot considering that there are only three bridges connecting to the island. If you are staying in a condo, motel, or beach home that is within walking distance of either parade, you should walk. If you must drive, it is much easier to get to the parade than it is to leave it; if the weather is nice take a walk on the beach and wait until the traffic clears-- beats sitting in the traffic and moving at a snail's pace.

Or you can hang around the parade route and pick up the lost and dropped beads after almost everybody has left and before they get smashed by traffic.