This yearıs Galveston Mardi Gras theme is "The Rainforests of the World." Mardi Gras lasts a total of 12 days and 11 nights. It began Feb. 21 and ends March 4, known as "Fat Tuesday."

This year more than 400,000 party-goers visited the island during the two weekends of Mardi Gras, enjoying live music and parades.

Mardi Gras Galveston is almost over once again for another year. There is one day left for the crowds to enjoy the Galveston Mardi Gras experience.

Fat Tuesday will start off with a pancake breakfast put on by the Z Krewe, one of the private clubs in Galveston. The pancakes will be served to students at Galveston Catholic School.

The main event on Fat Tuesday is The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Annual Fat Tuesday parade. "We End What We Begin," is the title of this yearıs parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The parade includes dozens of floats, local marching bands and costumed entertainers.

One of the numerous places to enjoy the lights and sounds of the floats in the parade other than the streets of the Strand is with the Fat Tuesday Krewe of Gambrinus Gathering. They will be viewing the parade from the balcony of the Dargan and Tobyn Building at the corner of 23rd and the Strand. Tickets for this event are $30 and include food, drinks and live music. For ticket information contact radame@houston.rr.com or www.kreweofgambrinus.org.

The past two weekends in Galveston were filled with Mardi Gras festivities. The balconies and streets were filled with people and excitement, while the air was filled with the smoking aroma of meats sizzling on grills and desserts baking in ovens. Of course, no party would be complete without the free-flowing draft beer and cocktails served at almost every corner and business up and down the Strand.

More than 50 bands performed at this years Mardi Gras including The Hunger, Spin Doctors, Pushmonkey, Cory Morrow, Roger Creager, Vallejo and Three Dog Night. The variety of bands showed the cultural diversity of this yearıs event.

Feb. 23, was dedicated as Family Day. The 17th Annual Mardi Gras Ball for Special People provided an opportunity for kids with disabilities to enjoy the festivities in a safe environment.

"Like any festival, sometimes the crowds get out of hand, but for the most part itıs an event that can be enjoyed by the whole family," said Eric Hernandez, a Mardi Gras partyer since 1993.

Most nights of Mardi Gras, however, are for adults. The crowds began to get a bit risqué as men and women flaunted their bodies for beads.

"Itıs absolutely amazing what some people will do for a pair of beads," said partyer Ryan Early.

Many people collect and trade these beads, which sometimes led to extravagant behavior. Beads could also be bought from numerous vendors on the Strand. The plastic beads on a string were not cheap; party-goers were expected to bring some cash if they planned on buying them.

Beads were not the only things that tested the limits of party-goers pocket books. Food and drinks were purchased from one of the many vendors on the Strand. While the price range of food varied from booth to booth, drinks were purchased with tickets bought for $1 a piece in sheets of tens. Cold beers were $4 tickets, frozen margaritas and hurricanes were $5.

The history of Mardi Gras Galveston spans back to 1867. Every year after that, the festival became larger and grew more extravagant.

In 1900, Galveston Island suffered what is now known as the "Great Storm." Mardi Gras activities on the island came to a halt after the storm and did not resume until 1910.

The festivities would not grow again until after World War II. Mardi Gras was once again celebrated in its true fashion in 1985. In 1985, Galveston native George Mitchell brought Mardi Gras back to the Island and made it the celebration it is today.

Top of Page | Front Page