The Joe Cain Procession, often referred to as “The People’s Celebration,” has been a huge part of Mobile Mardi Gras almost since it began in 1967. For more about the Procession (never call it a parade – just don’t) and Joe Cain Day this is more information HERE.
The Joe Cain Marching Society – those who walk the parade route, often in costume – has its own parade permit and precedes the Joe Cain Parading Society – the floats and vehicles, though the Parading Society also has its own walking groups out in front of the floats. Yeah, it’s confusing. But how do you explain a dozen or so widows crying over a man who only had one wife? Nothing about Joe Cain Day makes much sense. And that’s the way we like it!
The Joe Cain Procession, often referred to as “The People’s Celebration,” has been a huge part of Mobile Mardi Gras since its humble beginnings in 1967. Nowadays, the procession is in two parts: The Joe Cain Marching Society — those who walk the parade route, often in costume — lead off, and then comes the Joe Cain Parading Society, which includes 35 floats and vehicles, and some more walking groups. Wayne Dean Sr. portrays Slac IV for the 41st year in a row by leading the Marching Society.
Wayne Dean Sr. portrayed Chief Slac IV for the 40th year in a row by leading the foot marchers on March 2, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. The Parading Society was led by Thomas Watts, portraying Citizen Joe Cain.
