Carnival was first celebrated in America by French settlers at Mobile in 1703. The first parade was held in Mobile in 1830. A group of businessmen from the Mobile area took the tradition to New Orleans in the 1830's with the first parade held there in 1837.

Parades are held throughout the Carnival season but most are held close to or on Mardi Gras. The parades consist of floats holding krewe members who toss beads and other items known as “throws” to people lining the streets. Traditionally “parade-goers” wear costumes, or the “official” Mardi Gras colors purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power). They shout “throw me somethin' Mister” to krewe members on the floats. Krewes typically have one or more “signature” floats they put in their parade every year.

Parades may also include floats based on an annual parade theme, marching bands and elaborately costumed krewe members walking among the floats. Many Krewes host private masked balls during the time from Twelfth Night to Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras in Hannibal began in 2004 with the first Marde Gras parade. The parade was a cooperative venture of the Hannibal Courier Post and downtown merchants to highlight downtown Hannibal during the Winter season.

Since that first modest parade Hannibal Mardi Gras has seen substantial growth of the parade with elaborately designed floats, and the addition of an Annual Ball hosted by Hannibal's secret krewe, the Krewe of Scipio (KOS). Next year's the celebration will be on Saturday February 7 with a parade at 2 pm and the Masked Ball begins at 7 pm. Come with your family to see the parade and catch some beads, then make plans with your favorite dancing partner, to attend the ball in the evening, and enjoy the best Mardi Gras party in town.

Your donation to the Krewe of Scipio helps build floats, a better parade for downtown Hannibal, and encourages economic development in Missouri. All donations are made through PayPal and credit cards are accepted.