The Mobile Mystics, according to the group’s website, was founded in May 1993 with 52 charter members. The group “quickly obtained use of Mardi Gras floats from another organization and made plans to stage (its) first parade” in 1994, according to the website. But there were problems in getting a permit for that year, so the theme of the group’s first ball was “Damn the Permit, Full Speed Ahead.” The Mystics was the first group to hold a ball at the then-new Arthur Outlaw Convention Center, and it remains the Mystics’ home for the ball.
The first Mystics parade was held in 1995. The Mobile Mystics is the largest group to parade during the daytime outside of Fat Tuesday. On the parade route, the Mystics have earned the reputation of being heavy throwers. And if you can get South Royal to Church streets early, you can catch the entire riding group’s foot parade from the Convention Center to the floats on Civic Center Drive. The Mystics throw during that procession as well.
In 2026, the theme is “Mystics Floats Your Boat.” Expect 36 units, including horseback riders, marching bands, truck bands and 13 floats designed by Mark Calametti and built by Craig Stephens’s Carnival Artists. Costumes are by Bienvielle Costumes.
In 2025, the Mystics paraded on Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. The theme was “The Need for Speed.” The parade included 13 floats, designed by Mark Calametti and built by Craig Stephens’s Carnival Artists. Costumes were by Bienville Costumes.
