Tom: “I’ve been riding with the Condes since 2010. She bugged me for 13 years to join. The crown on my hat means my daughter was queen in 2015.”

Cathy: “I get feathers every time Tom gets a new color on his Conde costume. This year, it was silver and black with hot-pink fringe, so I got him a pink feather. This is his second hat.

I’ve been in Neptune’s Daughters for 29 years. Cindy and I are both past presidents for Neptunes. We still get excited every year, but we’re still not 100% happy with losing the civic center and having to hold our balls somewhere else. But we adapt. Last year, it rained all weekend, and rained on our 30th anniversary parade. But look at this beautiful weather. We’re making up for last year.

I was born in Mobile. My dad was in the KORs for 10 years. We moved across the bay and only came over for Mardi Gras Day. Mother would plant the four of us kids at Bienville Square and say, ‘Daddy’s coming by in a few minutes.’ She sewed old croker sacks together, and they filled them with throws. Dad would throw the bag to Mother. Mother would catch it and say, ‘Okay, we’re done. Back in the car.’ And we would go back across the bay. Some years later, Tom and I got married and more involved in Mardi Gras. We’ve been doing this for about 45 years.

Mardi Gras is all about tradition. The organizations help keep the traditions alive, and we pass them down to our kids. One of my daughters and my sister are on my float this year. My other daughter rides a different float. We are all in the same organization. Even though things change, like moving venues, the traditions are still there if you follow them.

Right now, the world is doing its thing, and we’re here in our Mardi Gras bubble. It’s so much fun. And then you wake up Wednesday morning after Mardi Gras day, and you’re like, ‘Okay, the body said I just got run over by a freight train, but we had a really good time’.”

Tom and Cathy

(Tom and Cathy are on the right. They are with friends Cindy and Angie.) #condes #neptunesdaughters #mobilemardigras