One of Mobile’s first two women’s parading groups, the Maids of Mirth initially paraded in 1950, just one day after the Order of Polka Dots broke the gender barrier. The Maids, however, incorporated first. Catherine Cook Haas was called “the guiding hand” of the MOM by Mardi Gras historian Emily Staples Hearin. The name of the group, as the story goes, was chosen from a list of suggestions created by the Dominoes, another ladies’ organization.
In 2026, their theme is “Country Queens,” as in Reba, Tricia, Shania, Faith, Dolly, Tanya and The Chicks. There are nine floats designed by Sarah Otts and built by Rhonda Odom McCullough. The parade also includes dance groups and marching bands. Costumes are by Seams to Be.
In 2025, MOM paraded on Feb. 22 at 6:30 p.m. for the sixth year on Route G. That route begins and ends at the Infant Mystics den, Cotton Hall, because the MOMs hold their ball at the nearby Crown Hall. The theme of that year’s parade was “Color Me Pretty.” The parade included nine floats designed by Sarah Otts and built by Rhonda Odom McCullough. Costumes were by Seams to Be.
