I have been more than once. It starts like two weeks before with night parades and Sat. day parades; then the very last weekend, we have big parades; Sun, we have some more parades, but the biggest thing is the Joe Cain Parades; It is said that Joe Cain started the parades here in Mobile, which IS the original birthplace of Mardi Gras, and had a bunch of widows, so each year, the widows come out and go to his grave; interesting then Monday, there are parades in Prichard, and on MLK Ave, culminating with Fat Tuesday where it seems everyone is downtown enjoying the festivities; Just to let you know, if you come here for Mardi Gras, get your hotel WAY in advance. you got folks that book the day Mardi Gras end for the following year no lie; if you come down to the parades, some bring campers so they can enjoy and then eat and have their own private bathrooms; I also recommend if you do the foot route, bring a portable seat please. there is ample porter potties but be mindful of the crowds, also a LOT of vendors selling food, clothes, pictures, an amusement park for those who want to ride, and dress casual and be mindful of the weather. sometimes it rains Fat Tuesday; sometimes not.