Mobile Carnival Association, 1927

One of the main organizing bodies for the carnival season in Mobile is the MCA. This group, along with government officials, the police department, and the Mystic Societies plan and present Mobile Mardi Gras each year. This, as you might guess, is not a mystic society. They maintain an office at the Mobile Chamber of Commerce. The MCA is actually the third carnival association in the history of Mobile Mardi Gras. From 1872-1897, the De Leon Carnival Association organized functions and crowned King Felix I . From 1898-1926, the second carnival association organized events and crowned King Felix II. Tickets to events of the MCA can be purchased, as opposed to the Mystics Society's events that are by invitation only. Sponsored events include:
  • Mobile International Carnival Ball. The royal coming together of King Felix III and King Elexis I held annually in Novemeber. The first Ball was held 1993.
  • Camellia Ball. Held on Thanksgiving of each year. The queen is chosen from distinguished Mobile debutantes. Next, King Felix III is chosen.
  • Queen's Coronation to King Felix III. Held each year on the Saturday night before Fat Tueday at the Civic Center.
  • King Felix III Supper. Held immediately after the Queen's Coronation in the Civic Center Expo Hall.
  • Queen's Luncheon. Held on Monday after the Floral Parade.
  • King Felix III Royal Float The float of the King and queen appears twice. The float appears on the Monday before Fat Tuesday along with the Floral parade. The float appears again on Fat Tuesday after the Knights of Revelry parade.
  • Children's Floral Parade. The MCA organizes the parade, sponsors 2 floats, and presents the juvenile King and Queen to the city of Mobile twice each year. The parade rolls on the Saturday and Monday before Fat Tuesday.
Started in 1928, this parade features floats sponsored by civic groups, schools, and other organizations presenting the Juvenile King and Queen and other children. Parade theme and float titles are always carried out very festively and of excellent quality. The Floral parade can be enjoyed twice each year. The first parade is on the second Saturday of the parade season (Feb. 13, 1999), and then on the second Monday of the parade season (Feb. 15, 1999).
1998 floats were sponsored by:
  • Mobile Carnival Association(2 floats, juvenile king and queen)
  • St. Luke's Episcopal School
  • St. Mary's Home
  • St. Paul's Episcopal School
  • International Miss Youth
  • UMS-Wright Prep. School(2 floats)
  • Almost Heaven Camp
  • Mobile Lions Club Auxiliary
  • Knights of Columbus Auxiliary
  • Mobile Emblem Club
  • Stars of Tomorrow
  • Women of the Moose
  • Juvenile Court Luncheon. Intended for children 8 to 14 and their parents. For tickets, 1-334-342-5774
    • 1999 is the 127th anniversary of the very first coronation. The same king, Daniel Huger, served the first 2 consecutive years in 1872 and 1873.