A no parking sign outside Veet's on Royal Street in downtown Mobile warns that the area becomes a no-parking zone two hours before the start of a parade. The Conde Cavaliers will parade at , and tens of thousands of people will come downtown to see it. The preparations started long before the doors opened. Supply runs have been made to stock up on everything. There was a big group meeting getting bar owners together with representatives of the fire department, the police department, the ABC board, the Downtown Mobile Alliance, the city administration, the Mobile County Health Department, any agency with a stake in a smooth, safe Carnival season.
With this in mind, Gina Jo brings up a couple of potential sore spots. But bringing outside beverages into a venue licensed to serve alcohol is a huge no-no, so you need to find someplace else to stash that thing rather that getting into a squabble over trying to bring it inside.
Over the next few hours, bar traffic ebbs and flows as groups wander in. Scores of people affiliated with the Conde Cavaliers have booked hotel rooms or found places to park RVs downtown.
A few are operating on a different, more eye-catching level. Also he has a pink bubble gun. Things are pretty calm until about p. Tow trucks β some police units, some private companies β prowl the route like a sudden swarm of sharks, accompanied by police motorcycles and SUVs. Purple and yellow signs declare that these streets will become no-parking zones two hours before the parade start β or about 10 minutes from now.
The musicians seem to have it down to a science. The vehicle and trailer are gone well before the deadline. He knows what to expect. Motorcycle officers write tickets as two cars are loaded onto tow trucks on Royal Street before Mobile's first parade of the Mardi gras season.
