Early Days
By 1875 the Carnival Association successfully lobbied Alabama State Legislature to declare Fat Tuesday a legal holiday. The Carnival Association continued its work and by 1898 had established itself as the leading force behind coordinating activities throughout the carnival season. These activities included things like band concerts, fireworks, costume contests, boat races and the inclusion of visiting naval ships. A Queen was added to the royalty in 1893, and in 1899 MCA officially adopted the name of their King as King Felix, III, which still stands today.