Mobile is not only recognized as celebrating the first-known American Mardi Gras celebration in 1703 (yes, even before New Orleans), but also as home to the "America's Family Mardi Gras" delighting both young and old from around town and across the nation. This magnificent celebration lasts for over two and a half weeks and culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and of course teeming crowds of parade goers. The floats are glowing spectacles manned by masked riders festooned in satin and sequins, and armed with crowd-pleasing "throws" such as beads, moon pies, doubloons and candy.

www.mobilebay.org

Take a journey through ancient oceans with Megalodon: Largest Shark that Ever Lived on display in the Exploreum's new 6,400 square foot traveling exhibit gallery. At 60 feet long, Megalodon was a dominant marine predator for 15 million years. Featuring a full-size structure of Megalodon, this exhibit tells the fascinating story of this ancient creature, inspiring lessons for science and shark conservation today. For more information call 251.208.6873.

www.exploreum.com

The Joe Cain Classic 5K, Fun Run and MoonPie Dash takes place on Joe Cain Day, February 19th at 8:00 AM in downtown Mobile. Proceeds from the race are given to challenged athletes in Mobile and Baldwin counties. For more information on registration: Mark Bernasconi: 251.928.7107.

www.bayarearunner.com

Put on your detective hat and solve the latest murder mystery while enjoying dinner. Watch the story unfold before your eyes and witness a murder that you will have the pleasure of solving. Who is the victim? More importantly, who is the killer? Do you think you can figure it out? February 25, 2012 at Mobile's Carnival Museum - 7:00 PM. $57.00 per person includes: tour of the museum, unlimited wine bar for the duration of the evening, a delicious catered meal, and 2.5 Hours of hilarity performed by the MMD Players! Reservations Required - 251.479.3212.

www.mobilemysterydinners.com

The 23rd Annual American Cancer Society Chili Cook-Off is Mobile's "hottest" charity event where teams compete for bragging rights on who has the best chili in town. Proceeds from the Chili Cook-Off will be used for American Caner Society programs, patient services and life saving research. The 2012 event will be held in Mobile at Bienville Square on Saturday, March 3. Festivities begin at 11:00 AM. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gates. Call 251.344.9858 for more details.

www.mobilechilicookoff.org

Come experience the biggest saltwater boat show from New Orleans to Tampa right here in Mobile! For three days, there will be tons of boats of all sizes, makes and models on display. Also, boat fanatics can attend seminars relating to boating and water activities. This is a family event. There are amazing activities for children to participate the entire day. The event will be held at the Mobile Convention Center in downtown Mobile on Water Street.

www.gulfcoastshows.com

Join us for United Cerebral Palsy’s 11th Annual BBQ Championship & Hog Wild Festival. On March 9th & 10th – at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds – over 120 professional and amateur teams will be on hand to display their skills at the grill. There will also be a fun kid’s zone, nationally sanctioned NBHA Barrel Horse Racing, live music, arts & crafts, and much more. You don’t want to miss it! Day Passes: $10 each and will be available at the gate. Kids 12 and under are FREE! A group discount is available. For more information: 251.479.4900.

www.bbqmobile.net

Over 200 exhibitors from throughout the nation will bring their best works to show and sell at this prestigious juried show. Live entertainment will be going on throughout the three-day event and unique cuisine will be served up in the food court. It all takes place on the streets of beautiful downtown Fairhope, Alabama. The festival was chosen as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast for March by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism. Festival hours are 10 AM-5 PM daily and there is no admission charge. For more information: 251.928.6387.

www.eschamber.com

Historic Mobile Preservation Society will hold the 2012 Mobile Historic Homes Tour on Friday and Saturday, March 16 and 17 in Mobile’s oldest neighborhood, the DeTonti Square Historic District. This year’s tour will feature a collection of private homes that all celebrate Mobile’s antebellum hey-day, including the house where the Battle of Mobile Bay was watched by General Buchanan and a home that has never been open to the public before, The Bush House, owned by the Society of 1836. Doors will open at 10:00 AM and close at 4:00 PM each day. Tickets for the Mobile Historic Homes Tour are $20 in advance, $25 the weekend of the event, and $17 for groups of 10 or more. For more information, contact the Mobile Historic Preservation Society at 251.432.6161.

www.historicmobile.org

The Luck of the Irish celebrates all things Irish with a family–friendly event in Bienville Square on Saturday March 17th. The Irish stew and corned-beef & cabbage cook-off will begin early that day and be ready for tasting by 11:00 AM. The Children’s Area opens at 11:00 AM also and runs til 4:00 PM. The St. Patrick’s Day parade runs at 2:00 PM and wraps around the Square. The park will be filled with Irish bagpipers and troubadours as well as Irish dancers. Many other food items are available for purchase in the park, including hot dogs and cotton candy. Drinks of every kind are also available. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the gate with children under 12 free with a paid adult. Call 251.479.5700 for more information.

http://luckoirish.org/

Plantasia! Spring Plant Sale features thousands of edible and ornamental plants for Gulf Coast gardens. Thousand of plants, including expanded selections of vegetables, herbs and fruits will be for sale at the Mobile Botanical Gardens. All plants are especially selected for the Gulf Coast climate and hundreds were grown by the Gardens' greenhouse volunteers. March 22nd is the Opening Night Sale and Party from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm when wine, hors d'oeuvres and music accompany shoppers who will get first choice of plants. Admission is $20 at the gate. Weekend sale hours are Friday and Saturday, March 23rd and 24th from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm; and Sunday, March 25th from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission to the sale is free. Bring your own wheelbarrow or cart for easier shopping. For more information: 251-342-0555.

www.mobilebotanicalgardens.org

The 35th Annual Azalea Trail Run (ATR) is one of the premier 10K road races in the United States. All of the courses are flat and extremely fast. Come run with us on March 24th down the streets of old Mobile, where in early spring the city is in full bloom. The pink hues of azaleas mingled with the white blossoms of dogwood and bridle wreath are everywhere in sight, and the sweet fragrance of purple wisteria drifts gently in the air. For registration information: 251.473.7223.

www.pcpacers.org/atr/

Come see the largest outdoor flower show in the Southeast. The Providence Hospital Foundation's Festival of Flowers is acknowledged as the premier flower and garden event of the greater Gulf Coast. The Festival takes place during what is perhaps Mobile's prettiest month, with trees leafing out and bloomers displaying their splendor. It is arrayed under tent and sky with over 300,000 square feet of exhibits that enchant, entertain, and educate visitors at this feast for all the senses. Show times: March 22-April 1, 2012. Thursday-Saturday 9 AM-5 PM. Sunday 10 AM-5 PM. Location: 6801 Airport Boulevard, Mobile, AL 36608. Tickets and information: 251.639.2050 or 1.877.777.0529

www.festivalofflowers.com

Which team can cook up one the best signature dishes of the Gulf Coast? You be the judge during the American Red Cross 2012 Gumbo Cook-Off. Sample gumbo from more than a dozen teams. The Gumbo Cook-Off will be held at Bienville Square in downtown Mobile - 11:00 AM-2:00 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance can be purchased at Bay Bank and BankTrust branches in Mobile County. Tickets are $12 at the gate. Children age 10 and under get in free. For more information: 251.544.6146.

www.redcrossalcoast.org

On Wednesday, April 10, the Mobile BayBears Professional Baseball Club opens the 2012 season against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at Hank Aaron Stadium. The BayBears were 2011 Southern League Champions and were also honored as Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year for 2011. For more information on the Mobile BayBears and ticket prices, please call 251.479.BEAR.

www.mobilebaybears.com

This is Mobile's Premier Arts Festival! Scheduled for April 13, 14, and 15, 2011, the festival offers three days of varied artistic experiences and interactive and hands-on activities. The hallmark of Arts Alive! since inception has been its multidimensional arts platform. Each festival showcases a wide selection of art genres – theater, film, visual, music, dance – all featuring local and regional talent. Arts Alive! takes place in the Cathedral Square Arts District in downtown Mobile. Festival hours are Friday 5 PM-9:30 PM; Saturday 2 PM-9 PM and Sunday Noon-6 PM. Admission is free for the entire festival. Questions? 251.694.0457

www.artsalivemobile.com

Stroll through hundreds of classic and vintage automobiles including the Model T, antique Mustangs, Firebirds and more on the Great Lawn at Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Sponsored by the Mobile Bay Mustang Club. Proceeds from the car show benefit Bay Area Food Bank. Admission: $12 Adults, $6.50 Children 5-12 and Childen 4 and under are free. Plus, bring a canned good and receive $1 off regular gardens admission.

www.bellingrath.org

Fresh veggies, fruits, flowers, oh my! Beginning Saturday, April 28th come to Cathedral Square for your fill of locally-grown goodness. Farmers from Mobile and Baldwin Counties offer up some of the most mouth-watering corn, tomatoes, watermelon, peppers, berries, honeys, baked goods, and other novelty items. Join us each week for live music, arts and crafts, special events and food galore! Bring the entire family and frolic in the ground fountain, step inside Space 301 or enjoy brunch outdoors at Spot of Tea. From 7:30 AM until 11 AM through July 28th.

www.ncsmobile.org