Mobile plans Mardi Gras 2022, despite Alabama’s lackluster vaccination rate.

Organizers of Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebration are making plans to resume the Fat Tuesday tradition, despite less than half of Alabama's residents fully vaccinated. Venues like the city's convention centers already are fully booked, and the first major parade is set to roll on February tenth. Similar efforts are in the works for parades, floats, and balls. The pandemic forced the cancellation of most events this year. So groups that stage the parades and other events are ready to go for this coming year. Supporters of the annual Fat Tuesday tradition replaced crowded events with a front porch decoration effort called “Yardy Gras,” and a parade to recognize the christening of the Navy close coastal combat vessel the U.S.S. Mobile with a parade called “Tardy Gras.” Click below to hear coverage of these events from APR^ Gulf coast correspondents Guy Busby and Lynn Oldshue. While New Orleans holds the nation's largest Mardi Gras celebration, Mobile claims to have the oldest Mardi Gras.