Mobile is the birthplace of America’s first Mardi Gras, and with pandemic safety guidelines in place, Mobilians have found an unusual way to commemorate this annual event with the Mobile Porch Parade.

Front yards throughout Mobile’s downtown neighborhoods have been transformed into Mardi Gras floats, with some even calling the alternate celebration “Yardi Gras.”

“As a descendent of Joe Cain, the father of Mobile’s Mardi Gras, it’s important to my family to safely carry on with this celebration,” said resident Heather Brantley. “Living downtown has given us an opportunity to be a part of keeping Mardi Gras alive during these challenging times. Right now, everyone is in need of some form of revelry that Mardi Gras brings. Our porch parade is another example of how our community has supported each other through the pandemic.”

More than 400 homes and businesses registered to be part of the Mobile Porch Parade map that was designed to show parade routes for safe touring. All homes and businesses are encouraged to join in the fun through Mobile’s social media campaign by sharing photos and tagging @mobileporchparade or #mobileporchparade.

Be a part of the Mobile Porch Parade celebration by following the festivities on Facebook and Instagram.

To learn more about the history of Mobile’s Mardi Gras, visit the Mobile Carnival Museum.

(Courtesy of Alabama NewsCenter)