The countdown is on for a busy weekend in Mobile as the first Mardi Gras floats prepare to roll through downtown Friday night
) - The countdown is on for a busy weekend in Mobile as the first Mardi Gras floats prepare to roll through downtown Friday night. Thousands of visitors are already arriving for carnival season and the Senior Bowl, with downtown businesses making final preparations for the influx of crowds expected over the next few days.
“We’ve been preparing for about the past month. We’ve, it’s like, all hands on deck, inventory, all our artist that’s come in, we’re like, hey you know, get your stuff ready, because it’s gonna be big,” Portiez said.“We’re very excited, a little nervous, but we are very excited. We have our lovely Mardi Gras station here with, you know, just highlighting some of our amazing artwork we have,” Portiez said. The Conde Cavaliers will lead off Friday night, followed by three more parades on Saturday. Elaborate themed floats manned by masked mystic societies and marching bands will wind through downtown.The Carrera family, who was shopping at the Urban Emporium on Dauphin Street Wednesday afternoon, plans to continue their Mardi Gras traditions this weekend. Matt Carrera said they typically attend every parade they can. “We’ll always start off with Condes and everything, so it’s great, get the big train and everything in it. But yeah, we pretty much go to every parade that we can,” Matt Carrera said. High winds and bitter cold in the forecast prompted organizers to move Friday’s Senior Bowl concert indoors to Soul Kitchen. Other events remain scheduled to be held outside. Cole Norah from Pensacola said he is looking forward to celebrating his first Mardi Gras in Mobile despite the weather. “I’m expecting kind of a show. I hear the parades pretty fun. We’re just trying to check out the most exciting parts of downtown. And I know this is where Mardi Gras started, right, so I’m kind of just excited to see what that’s about,” Norah said.“As long as everybody’s out here having fun and there’s some good places to eat and drink, I think we should probably be out here,” Norah said.Portiez said The Frenchman typically sees crowds regardless of weather conditions.The parades will be streamed on the Gulf Stream app for those unable to attend in person, with coverage continuing through Fat Tuesday.Jury finds defendants in Mobile’s backpack drug trial guilty on all but one count
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