DAPHNE, Ala. — It’s time to break out the beaded jewelry, decorative masks and Moon Pies as  Daphne’s 2010 Mardi Gras season kicks off at 6:45 p.m. Friday night with Apollo’s Mystic Ladies parading down Main Street.

The parade assembles, begins and ends at the Daphne Civic Center. The 3.5-mile route travels down scenic 98. The rain date is set for the same time Feb. 11.

The AML parade is followed by The Loyal Order of the Fire Truck on Feb. 11, Mystic Order of Persephone on Feb. 12 and Shadow Barons on Feb. 13.

All parades are set to begin at 6:45 p.m. on Main Street in Olde Towne Daphne.

In celebration of the Apollo Mystic Ladies’ 10th anniversary, this year’s theme will be “Cheers to Another 10 Years,” an order spokesperson said. Mardi Gras maskers, as part of tradition, do not reveal their identities.

“The order invites the community to come out and join in the nostalgia and revelry of this special night,” the spokesperson said. “To commemorate our 10th year, all riders will be wearing silver costumes accented with their individual float colors.”

“Big Bertha” will lead the parade, followed by Daphne High’s Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

“The beautiful Queen Daphne X will greet her faithful subjects in her horse-drawn carriage,” the spokesperson said.

University of South Alabama coach Joey Jones will serve as grand marshal.

The parade will comprise seven floats: McGuire’s Bagpipers; marching bands from Spanish Fort and Daphne high schools; three truck bands; Fuze Belly Dancers; Shriners; the Humane Society; 93 BLX; Jack 104; 97.5 WABB; Spanish Fort Marine Corps Recruiters; and Coastal Cruisers.

Last year, the AML parade was delayed six days as its original parade date was clouded with inclement weather.

Apollo’s Mystic Ladies was founded in March 2000 and is Daphne’s first women’s mystic society, according to its members.

Mardi Gras originated as part of a series of carnival days held in Roman Catholic nations between Twelfth Night, or Epiphany, and Ash Wednesday, according to History.com.

The carnivals serve as precursors to Lent, a 40-day religious period, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter, in which the faithful practice fasting and/or prayer.