When most people think of Mardi Gras, the wild and crazy celebrations in the New Orleans French Quarter come to mind. While New Orleans may have the most popular celebration, Mobile, Alabama is its American birthplace. Dating back to 1703, Mardi Gras, originally called "Boeuf Gras" (fatted ox), was one of feasting and revelry on the day before Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season leading to Easter.

Some years later in 1830, Michael Krafft, a Dutch transplant from Pennsylvania, went out on the town with some friends and, after a little too much celebrating, decided to "borrow" some implements of agriculture from a local hardware store and parade through the streets of Mobile. Thus the Cowbellion de Rakin Society was born, the first parading Mystic society. In 1857 this society traveled to New Orleans to assist with the formation of the Mystik Krewe of Comus, now New Orleans' most prestigious society.

During the Civil War, Mardi Gras went into a hiatus. Then in 1866 a group of friends, led by Joseph Stillwell Cain, decided to revive Krafft's original parade by borrowing a wagon from a local business, dressing in costumes, and parading through the streets, thereby bringing Mardi Gras back to life. It has been celebrated in Mobile ever since. In 1968 an official day of recognition was dedicated to Joe Cain and is celebrated every year.

Today, thousands of revelers line the streets of downtown Mobile each Mardi Gras day to enjoy the colorful floats of dozens of mystic societies. "Throw me something!" can be heard from every direction as parade goers hope to catch their share of throws, which include beaded necklaces, moon pies, candy, doubloons, decorative cups, stuffed animals and a large variety of other trinkets.