The Joe Cain Procession

Initially organized by Julian Lee Rayford and sponsored by the Order of Inca, who didn't have a parade of their own at the time. This parade honors the man who is considered the one who revived Mardi Gras in Mobile after the Civil War. For those more familiar with New Orleans Mardi Gras, the Joe Cain procession is similar to a truck parade, in that it consists of many small groups instead of a parade of one organization.

Ft. Morgan after its surrender, during the battle of Mobile bay, September 1864. National Archives, No. 77-F-82-74.

Joe Cain as Chief, "Old Slac"

     It also includes bands, masked walkers, and many others. The first procession was held in 1968. Wayne Dean and the Society for the Beautification and Restoration of the Church Street Graveyard organizes this yearly event. 2007 is the 22nd year that Wayne Dean will portrait Chief Slacabamorinico.

A Brief Story of Joe Cain

The civil war had halted all revelry. Joseph Stillwell Cain was a store clerk in Mobile, Alabama in 1865, who had noticed how much the war had mentally worn down the populace. He, like most of his fellow Mobilians, were still under Union occupation, but the mental war between the ex-confederate soldiers and union authorities  still raged and was taking a toll. During the occupation several edicts had come down from Union leaders in an effort to totally