The Conde Cavaliers paraded through downtown Mobile on Friday evening, the traditional kickoff to Mobile’s parading season, and as the photos in the accompanying gallery show, the bon temps clearly have begun rolling.

Thanks to fortuitous scheduling that put the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Saturday, the Condes’ parade was part of a rare trifecta: It was preceded by a Senior Bowl parade and followed by a free Nelly concert in Mardi Gras Park, presented by the Senior Bowl.

While the Mobile Police Department’s crowd estimate was not immediately available, the slate of events appeared to draw a healthy crowd, at least along the Royal Street corridor, despite temperatures that dropped into the mid-40s by the time of the concert.

Downtown Mobile’s next parades feature the Bayport Parading Society and the Mystic DJ Riders, who roll at 2 p.m. Saturday, and the Pharoahs Mystic Society and Conde Explorers, who roll at 6:30 p.m. Both parades follow Route A. Saturday also brings the Krewe of Salty Paws pet parade at 10 a.m. on Dauphin Island.

After Saturday, Mobile has a bit of a lull until Thursday, when the Order of Polka Dots takes to the streets. From there through Fat Tuesday, the city has parades almost every day. The full schedule is available here.

For continuing coverage, visit www.al.com/mardigras.

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