Mardi Gras on the Gulf Coast isn’t a one-city show — it’s a Mobile Bay tradition. Mobile may be the birthplace, but Baldwin County (especially Fairhope + Daphne) has turned Carnival season into its own kind of magic: more neighborly, more quirky, and occasionally… more dogs in costumes than seems scientifically reasonable.
Let’s do the fun version of history (no textbooks harmed), then roll straight into the Baldwin County 2026 parade schedule.
Mardi Gras started on Mobile Bay before it was “famous”
Quick reality check for the trivia team: Mobile’s Mardi Gras tradition goes back to 1703, making it widely recognized as the oldest in the U.S.
Carnival season traditionally kicks off around Jan. 6 (Epiphany / Twelfth Night) and builds toward Fat Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday).
And if you’ve ever wondered why our parades feel so organized (chaotic, yes — but organized chaos): Mobile helped set the template for American Carnival societies. The Cowbellion de Rakin Society (founded 1830) is often credited as the first mystic society established in the U.S.
Now here’s the best part: Baldwin County didn’t just copy the tradition across the water. It remixed it.
How Baldwin County (and the Eastern Shore) made Mardi Gras its own
Fairhope: Where the parade lineup includes… pets
Fairhope is one of the rare places where Mardi Gras includes a true walking parade — and it’s led by locals’ favorite masked revelers: dogs.
Mystic Mutts of Revelry began in 2004 as a fundraiser for The Haven No-Kill Animal Shelter. It’s family-friendly, downtown-cute, and proof that Baldwin County will celebrate literally anything — especially if it has paws.
Fairhope’s “Ecor Rouge” is a real place
The Knights of Ecor Rouge has one of the best origin stories on the bay: it was dreamed up during a sailing vacation in December 1983, incorporated in 1984, and held its first parade in 1985.
And the name? “Ecor Rouge” = “Red Cliff,” referencing a bluff in Montrose between Daphne and Fly Creek. So yes — every time someone says it, they’re casually shouting out Eastern Shore geography.
Fairhope: The women’s krewes are a big deal (and proudly so)
Fairhope’s Mardi Gras season has a strong tradition of women-led krewes:
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Maids of Jubilee began with 100 women and describe themselves as the first female Mardi Gras organization on the Eastern Shore, with a first ball in 1985 and first parade in 1989. They’re also known for trailblazing with female marshals.
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Order of Mystic Magnolias was created in 1993 (born from a meeting at Gambino’s in Fairhope) and rolled its first parade in 1994.
The “Mullet Mates” route is peak Baldwin County
The Krewe of Mullet Mates isn’t your standard downtown route — it’s famous for hugging Bon Secour Bay along Baldwin County Highway 1 (aka the scenic, bayfront version of “let’s make this a whole vibe”).
Daphne: The most Daphne thing ever is a parade built around a fire truck
Daphne’s Carnival personality is elite: spirited, slightly odd, and lovingly committed to tradition.
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Apollo’s Mystic Ladies (Daphne) was founded in 2000, with the mission of bringing “friendship, fellowship, and revelry” to the city.
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The Shadow Barons were founded June 10, 1999, and the name honors Baron de Feriet, who purchased Ecor Rouge / much of what is now Montrose.
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The Loyal Order of the Fire Truck (LOFT) famously starts at 2:29 PM (yes, that exact time is intentional), and the City of Daphne lists that start time in its event calendar.
Baldwin County Mardi Gras Parade Schedule (2026)
A very practical Mobile Bay pro tip
Do at least one Fairhope parade + one Daphne parade if you can. They feel different in the best way: Fairhope leans charming and tradition-rich; Daphne leans spirited and “we’re doing it our way.” (That’s a compliment.)
First-timer tips (because the throws are not gentle)
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Bring a bag for throws + a small cooler for water/snacks.
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Arrive early for parking and a good spot—especially in Fairhope, Daphne, Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores.
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Wear comfortable shoes (parade day always includes more walking than you planned).
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Kid strategy: ear protection for little ones + a “throw zone” spot away from the densest crowd.
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Respect the route: never cross in front of moving units. (The beads are not worth the ER visit. Ever.)
The fun part: Mardi Gras is also a great “tour the neighborhoods” season
Mardi Gras has a funny way of doing what open houses can’t: it lets you feel a community. You notice the walkability, the porch culture, the “hey-I-know-you” energy… and suddenly you’re thinking, “Okay, I could live here.”
If that thought pops up while you’re catching throws, Ashurst Niemeyer Real Estate would love to help you explore what’s possible — whether you’re looking for a home near the parade route, a bayfront upgrade, a low-maintenance condo, or an investment property that makes sense long after the beads are packed away.
Want a local game plan (not a pushy sales pitch)?
Reach out and we’ll send you a custom “Baldwin County Neighborhood Match” shortlist based on what you love: Fairhope charm, Daphne convenience, Foley value, Orange Beach energy, or Fort Morgan quiet.
