Gulf Shores, AL. — (GSN) — The City of Gulf Shores has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to preserving its cherished 47-year-old Mardi Gras tradition, ensuring that the iconic Fat Tuesday parade remains a cornerstone of the community's cultural calendar.

While recent city discussions and council work sessions explored expanding the local Carnival season—including the addition of new Saturday evening parades organized by groups like the Pleasure Island Revelers—city leadership firmly emphasized that the traditional Tuesday morning parade on Highway 59 is here to stay.

Mayor Robert Craft and city officials addressed community concerns early on, assuring residents that rumors of the Fat Tuesday parade disappearing were unfounded. “We do not want to lose it,” Mayor Craft stated regarding the Tuesday celebration, highlighting its deep roots in the fabric of Gulf Shores.

The decision to keep the Fat Tuesday parade follows strong advocacy from local business owners, long-time residents, and parade krewes who emphasized the event's vital role in supporting local tourism, downtown businesses, and the annual "snowbird" community. Stakeholders noted that the daytime parade provides an invaluable economic boost and a joyful, family-friendly atmosphere that has defined the coastal city for decades.

As the city shifts toward a model where local krewes and community organizations take a leading role in organizing and managing the event, the municipal government continues to provide robust logistical support. The city remains fully committed to ensuring the necessary public safety, traffic flow management, and department coordination—spanning police, fire, and public works—so that revelers can safely "let the good times roll" for years to come.

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