In 2013, a nonprofit called Joy of Life on the Gulf Coast was formed to primarily benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Their board includes former patients of St. Jude and parents of St. Jude patients.
The group’s big annual fundraiser is the Wind Creek Hospitality Joy of Life Mardi Gras Ball, which includes “the culinary skills of Mobile’s most amazing chefs and restaurants,” according to the Joy of Life web site, and “a live and silent auction, as well as great musical entertainment, all while raising funds for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
Almost from the start, the group wanted to include a Mardi Gras parade as part of its fundraising efforts. The first Joy of Life parade was held February 5, 2018, with the Order of Venus parade. Each Joy of Life float is sponsored by a donor for $5,000. One float holds about 20 riders, and the sponsors are expected to host a St. Jude patient and their parents. Riders are masked.
In 2013, a nonprofit called Joy of Life on the Gulf Coast was formed to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Their board includes former patients of St. Jude and parents of St. Jude patients. Almost from the start, the group wanted to include a Mardi Gras parade as part of its fundraising efforts, and in 2018, they staged their first one. While they have always paraded under the name Joy of Life, in 2026, they are changing the name to Krewe of Saint Jüdë. “We are and have always been Mobile and Baldwin counties’ only 501(c)(3) organization formed to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” leadership said. The name change is permanent. Each float is sponsored, and every sponsor hosts a St. Jude patient and their parents. Riders are masked.
In 2026, expect a full 36 units, with 15 floats rented from the Conde Cavaliers.
In 2025, the Joy of Life paraded on March 1, after the Order of Angels. The parade included 13 floats rented from the Conde Cavaliers and a Joe Cain organization.
