Mobile, Alabama is proud to be the home of Mardi Gras, with the first celebration dating back more than 300 years to 1703.

Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras Day, is the culmination of weeks of parades, balls, celebrations, and everything in between.

For Mobilians, this is the most sacred time of the year, and we take great pride in being the “Official Home of Mardi Gras.”

This morning, Governor Kay Ivey encouraged Alabamians to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities and to do so responsibly.

🥳: Let’s not forget where the original party started…mobile!

Alabama, if you're celebrating our unique tradition of Mardi Gras, please enjoy the festivities responsibly and safely. #alpolitics

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) February 13, 2024

This year was a special one for residents of the port city, with some of the city's largest Mardi Gras organizations celebrating milestone anniversaries.

Joe Kane's Merry Widows celebrates “50 years of crying,” the Polkadot Order and Time Mystics both celebrate their 75th anniversary, the Columbus Crew celebrates their 100th anniversary, and the Order of the Reverie celebrates its 150th anniversary. We celebrated our anniversary.

According to previous research conducted by the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mardi Gras festivities regularly bring more than $400 million annually into the Mobile economy and continue to sustain business in the city year-round.

Another day of beads, moon pies, and doubloons rain down on the city of Mobile as the “pre-fast feast” reaches its climax.

Michael Brauner is a senior sports analyst and contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP