Friday, January 28, 2005

Order of Polka Dots

On Thursday the Order of Polka Dots, Mobile's oldest parading women's organization, rolled got ready to roll. I went to the Mobile Civic Center to get a sneak peak. Most parading organizations that hold their balls here not only rent the main arena for their tableaux and dancing but rent hospitality room the go around the circular halls outside of the main arena. Members of the organizations are assigned rooms and they work almost as small societies within the organization. Each room is responsible for raising their own money to supply decorations, food and a bar in their room for the night of the ball. This room was hard at work Thursday morning putting up their decorations.








At the same time crews were working in the main arena to ready it for the grand ball. Liquor was delivered to each bar in locked cages waiting to quench the thirst of thousand in the upcoming evening.





At 4:00 Thursday evening the halls began to fill with costumed ladies waiting for their signal to head to the floats.



The Order of Polka Dots rolled on time. The parade was beautiful. The Budweiser Clydesdales lead the parade along with Big Bertha who made her second appearance on the season. With the theme 'Wicked Women' the floats and maskers thrilled the crowds. My favorite float was Jezabel. The ladies, contrary to the Mobile Register's reports threw lots of wonderful prizes from the floats to the waiting crowds.

Read the Article from the Mobile Register
Lizzie Borden takes ax for whacks
Friday, January 28, 2005
By EDDIE CURRAN
Staff Reporter


Read the Article from NBC 15
Thousands view Polka Dot parade
Last Update: 1/28/2005 9:24:59 AM
Posted By: Ron Reams












The beautiful gypsy queen emblem descended her chariot and led the maskers back into the auditorium to begin the ball. She danced around the floor to the tune 'Rainbow Round my Shoulder' with the crowd cheering. Queen Elizabeth led the bored members to the stage which was decorated with a curved staircase and large candelabras. Her train was a raspberry color and was one of the most stunning I have seen. This was the third appearance of this train which had been worn by two prior Polka Dot queens. The grand march began and the 'Wicked Women' dance out to bow to their leader. The ball that followed was packed with happy guests and everyone seemed to have a grand time. As I walked throughout the main arena close to the end of the ball the dance floor was still filled with people. The Polka Dots sure do know how to throw a party.

Read the Article from the Mobile Register
Oh, those Float 3 girls
Saturday, January 29, 2005
By THE MASKED OBSERVER
貰05, Mobile Register








Monday, January 24, 2005

Parades, Float Barns and Balls again

Saturday night I went to the Don Donas ball at the ABBA Shrine. The stage was set with musical notes and records to showcase the theme 'Looney Tunes'. The theme was referring to silly songs not cartoons. The emblem couple opened the ball with their promenade. The tableaux began with the Village People doing YMCA. Next was Camp Grenada, the men were dressed like kids and they were dancing around like ballerinas. Nest the grim reaper appeared along with a witch and assorted monsters and Michael Jackson led the bunch in a dance routine to 'Thriller'. They were the best skit of the evening. The next group had ladies dressed as little red riding hood and the men dressed at the big bad wolf. One man was dressed up like grandma and they danced to 'Chain of Fools'. Then came men dressed as Arabs and ladies as harem girls. One man was riding in a gold glitter camel and they paraded around to 'Ahab the Arab'. Finally Old McDonald and his wife appeared in front of a barn. Lots of chickens showed up with protest signs reading eat more beef and other sayings. They joined the farmer and his wife in the 'Chicken Dance' and then danced off the stage to 'Shake a Tail Feather'. The Don Donas always end their tableaux with a mini parade into the crowd to throw beads and coins and then the grand march begins. Finally the queen and king are presented.

After leaving that ball I headed downtown to the Pierettes ball. I was not able to see the tableaux because both dances started at the same time. I stayed at that ball until the end and had a great time.

On Sunday I got up and headed down to the Order of Inca's open house at the float barn. The floats were wonderful. Next year will be the Inca's 50th and they are planning to rebuild their emblem float.

























I stayed at the Inca open house for about an hour and then headed over to TP Crockmier's for Laurie's Boa birthday party. Everyone that was invited had to wear a boa of their choice. I chose a hot pink boa. After that I went back downtown to the Mystic Striper's open house. I always attend the Striper's open house because it is a lot of fun and I am a past queen.