The Joe Cain Marching Society

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The Joe Cain Marching Society The purpose of this group is to promote more interest in the annual pilgrimage to honor the man who revived Mardi Gras in Mobile after the Civil War.

On the Sunday after Mardi Gras 1971, a group of concerned individuals met to discuss plans for a more organized group to gather each Mardi Gras Sunday for a procession to the Old Church Street Graveyard where services are held at the gravesite of Joe Cain. At this first meeting in February 1971 officer's were chosen: Al Owen as President or Chairman, Julian Lee Rayford, the event's founder in 1967 , as Vice Chairman and Wayne Dean as Corresponding Secretary. In 2014 the Joe Cain Marching Society filed paperwork in order to incorporate and gain tax exempt status. This became necessary after so many years because of a movement to put restrictions on the marchers by the Joe Cain Parading Society which represents the float riders. In an effort to save the traditions of the past 47 processions the Joe Cain Marching Society's purpose is to provide an open atmosphere for citizens of the city and visitors alike, whether individuals, families or groups, to participate freely in the annual Joe Cain Procession “peoples’ procession” with no expectation of having to pay a fee or to join a society and to do so in accordance with the purposes established in 1868 by Joe Cain and as reaffirmed by Julian Lee Rayford in 1967 when he began the “holiday for all the people.

Thank you all so much for your support last night! It was truly special. See you in February!
08/29/2026

Thank you all so much for your support last night! It was truly special. See you in February!

08/26/2026

Six months is entirely too long to wait. So we’re not. 🎭🍻

We’re officially HALFWAY TO JOE CAIN DAY this Friday at Callaghan’s! Gretsch Lyles joins The Modern Eldorados for a little mid-year Mardi Gras in the OGD.

💜💚💛 Friday, August 28
Come dressed accordingly. You know the drill.

One of the groups that march with us on Joe Cain Day represent an actual historical event. Go check out the historic mar...
12/01/2025

One of the groups that march with us on Joe Cain Day represent an actual historical event. Go check out the historic marker unveiling of the Pelican Girls on the 7th! The History Museum of Mobile and Fort Conde will be free admission from 1:00pm-5:00pm!

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Mobile, AL

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 5pm

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