"Mr. Mardi Gras"

Clifford Thomas, Jr. is known for his fancy footwork and an abundance of energy fit for the young at heart!

Thomas, who doesn't mind if you call him "Mr. Mardi Gras", is one of Mobile's Mardi Gras' legends. His love for the carnival season started very early.

"I remember when I was a little child my mother used to take me to the Mardi Gras," says Thomas. "I always was excited about it and I'm still excited about it."

Thomas began marching in the parades as a teenager. In 1958 he became the first drum major at Blount High School, and 68 years young he hasn't stopped marching.

"I look at faces of little children and senior citizens," says Thomas. "I see the smiles and joy on their face."

Thomas expects to log more than 30 miles marching in parades this year, and that doesn't count all of his visits to schools and retirement homes!