Mardi Gras Rules and Safety

No Parking Areas

The City of Mobile restricts on-street parking in areas marked with gold and purple Mardi Gras parking signs. These restrictions go into effect two hours before, during, and after each parade. Vehicles found violating these restrictions are subject to being towed to ensure the safety and flow of the parade.

No golf carts, ATVs or side-by-sides

Only state-registerested Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV) with current tag registration and insurance are allowed on city streets during Mardi Gras. Unregistered golf carts, ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes and other unregistered vehicles are prohibited from city streets. All registered vehicles must adhere to applicable traffic laws.
 

Towed Vehicles 

This Carnival Season, MPD will use a new temporary impound location for towed vehicles at the dead end on S. Royal Street, just south of Monroe Street. The temporary impound facility will close at 10 p.m. on each parade day. Cash, debit cards, Mastercard, Discover cards and Visa credit cards will be the accepted forms of payment at the temporary impound lot. For information regarding towed vehicles before 10 p.m. on parade days, please call (251) 208-2584. For information about towed vehicles after 10 p.m. and on non-parade days, please call (251) 208-2585.
 

Lost Children 

Police are emphasizing that parents make every effort to place an identity card in their child's pocket in the event they become separated from each other. The card should provide the name of the child, address, telephone contact numbers and the name of a relative. In the event parents and children are separated, children should be instructed to go to the nearest police officer. Police will attempt to contact the parents, and the children will be taken to Central Precinct located at 55 N. Water Street until they can be reunited. 

Call 311 for non-emergencies 

Citizens are being asked to refrain from calling 911 or the Mobile Police Department's non-emergency number for Mardi Gras information requests. Those requests should be addressed by submitting a 311 request.

Rules and Safety Tips

• Attend parades in groups with family or friends. 
• Glass containers are prohibited by city ordinance 
• Do not follow floats. Violators may be arrested. 
• Do not throw any object in the direction of floats, band members or any parade participants. Violators may be arrested. 
• Materials known as "Silly String" and "Snap & Pops" along with similar products are illegal. Possession of any of these products may result in arrest. 
• Do not cross the barricades. Each officer will be carrying a ticket book and will be issuing citations for the offense.
• No underage drinking is allowed. Special undercover police details arrest violators. 
• If you need police assistance during a parade, go to the nearest intersection and advise a uniformed police officer. 
• Choose a well-lit area for night parade viewing. 
• Establish a post-parade meeting place for family and friends in case you become separated. 
• Park vehicles in secure areas and do not leave valuables in plain sight. Utilize the trunk to store valuables. 
• Uniformed and plainclothes officers will be patrolling behind the crowds to identify and arrest persons engaging in criminal activity. 
• Pets are prohibited during the parades downtown. 
• Skateboards and motorized scooters are prohibited.