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








0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home