By: Jayne Duignan
In the pitch-black ballroom, people stood crowded in a roped-off section, with the only source of light shining on Abigail Griffin and her father as they made their entrance.
With all eyes on her, Griffin gracefully waved to people in her ivory silk gloves that matched her floor-length gown. One hand held onto her father while the other hand held onto a jeweled scepter, symbolizing her status in society.
As she let go of her father’s hand, nothing stood in the way between her and the stage. She began her slow walk, being careful to balance the yellow, purple, white and green ornamented crown that she designed herself.
The spotlight glistened off her train, which was carefully laid out to display the handsewn gold stitching monogrammed with her initials “AGC.” No one could realize from her effortless walk that she had been preparing for this moment all of her life.
Leading up to Mardi Gras weekend, Griffin fulfilled her numerous obligations as Queen.
“I had events and parties such as the Queen’s Reception, which is the transition from the last queen handing over the reign to me, Open House where anyone gets to come and see the floats for that year, and a fishing rodeo our organization sponsors in Dauphin Island,” Griffin said.
Growing up in Mobile, Alabama, celebrating Mardi Gras was always a part of Griffin’s life. Whether it was her parents, grandparents, or aunts and uncles, Griffin could expect with each year that her family members would be involved in Mardi Gras organizations.
“Every year when Mardi Gras rolls around, it’s like any other major holiday for us who are from Mobile,” Griffin said. “Since I can remember, I have memories of making signs for family members riding (in the parade), standing up on the barricades, and going to RV city where everyone brings their campers to tailgate.”
Since 1988, Griffin’s father has been a member of the Mystic Stripers Society. In 2020, her father submitted a nomination on behalf of his daughter to be considered as Queen of the Mystic Stripers Society, a social organization created to celebrate Mardi Gras in Mobile. Societies hold parades and balls during the Mardi Gras celebration.
Griffin and her father each wrote letters to the officers of the society detailing their interest in becoming King and Queen, where their selection would be considered based on their involvement in the society throughout the years.
On a random day in May of 2020, Griffin and her family were posing for a family photoshoot when they heard a knock at the door. To Griffin’s surprise, it was three men dressed in suits, and one of them was holding a letter.
The men were officers from the society, formally presenting Griffin with a letter announcing she would be Queen of the Mystic Stripers Society.
“I was not expecting it when they surprised me,” Griffin said. “This opportunity was something I had always thought and dreamed about because I have grown up seeing other women be Queens of organizations and always wanted to do the same one day.”
Griffin was originally announced Queen of the Mystic Stripers in May of 2020. Due to the pandemic, Mardi Gras was canceled for only the second time in history.
Griffin’s reign was pushed back to 2022, giving her more time to prepare. There was a long road ahead from Griffin’s reign being announced to the weekend of the Mardi Gras Ball on Feb. 24, 2022.
Preparation included designing a theme for the favors, such as cups and koozies, that would be thrown from their parade float. Griffin and her father decided on gold, ivory, white and black as their theme.
Griffin’s ball attire, including her ivory dress with gold detailing, as well as her train and collar, were all made from scratch. Dynasty Collection in Mobile aided Griffin in creating her crown, making it unique from anything else seen at Mardi Gras that weekend.
Griffin shared these moments with her family and friends, who were there every step of the way.
“I loved watching Abigail all weekend,” Katharine Green, Griffin’s friend, said. “She looked so great and did an amazing job. I’ve personally never been to any sort of Mardi Gras experience or event before, but I was amazed by everything I saw and got to be a part of.”
Another one of Griffin’s friends, Karcyn McKee, was able to be there and support her.
“My favorite memory was by far the parade,” McKee said. “My group of friends was waiting for Abigail’s float to come around the corner, and when it finally did, she told everyone on the float to throw as much as they could at us!”
Griffin joined in the celebration of Mardi Gras in Mobile, which dates back to 1703, when the French brought the celebration to the city.
In Mobile, Mardi Gras parades begin three weeks before the start of Lent, but some Mardi Gras Balls can start as early as December.
During the parades, barricades make way for the vibrant handmade parade floats, blocking off the lively spectators lining the streets waiting to celebrate. Crowds gather to watch the floats and marching bands pass by, hoping to catch beads, Moon Pies, cups, coins, and more.
“The people are loud and energetic. It’s like a huge street party where everyone comes together to have a good time,” Griffin said.
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