Galveston Mardi Gras

A few weeks back, I attended the Galveston Mardi Gras celebration for two Saturdays. I had a great time each day. What follows are some pics from those 2 days in Galveston.

It was cold on the first Saturday that I went to Galveston for Mardi Gras. I snapped a pic of CoCo and I before I left Houston.

When I arrived in Galveston, I parked in my usual garage and had no troubles.

I picked up my Media Passes with no troubles also. I’d like to thank Mary Beth for them. She works with http://www.VisitGalveston.com

I always like to get an early morning shot down the street where all of the action will occur throughout the day.

I ran into a friend that I met at last year’s Mardi Gras celebration.

Mark is always so nice to me.

He made me laugh when he told me that I look like a movie star. I had one kid ask me if I was a Black Panther. I told him, White Lion.

I love going to Mardi Gras to see all of the different outfits that people wear.

There was a Fun Run on this first Saturday and a lot of people showed up for it.

Many in the Fun Run had matching outfits on and all looked great.

Mardi Gras began on March 3, 1699. French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near what is now New Orleans. They dubbed their landing spot as Point du Mardi Gras and had a small celebration.

The French name Mardi Gras means Fat Tuesday, from the custom of using all the fats in the home before Lent in preparation for fasting and abstinence.

I met some great people who were all having a fun time.

I snapped a pic of them and their pooch. I think his name was Slider. It took me 3 tries to get him looking at the camera.

This was a fun group.

This booth was at last year’s celebration.

I met Jorge and took a few pics for him.

If ZZ Top had a song, “Sharp dressed Mardi Gras Man.”

These two guys were having a good time.

I ran into them and their group later on and got a group shot for them.

The stage had bands playing all day long.

Live music is always good for an event.

I stopped by my favorite food booth.

Amanda offered me something to eat and it was delicious. I love fried shrimp.

Naji owns and operates a food booth at all of the Galveston events. I see him at Mardi Gras and also Dickens on the Strand. He is a great guy and a good friend.

There were several other food booths to choose from and all of the food looked great.

This mobile stand is at a lot of events also.

They offered several things to choose from.

And had a fun staff.

This guy was funny.

Joshua had another good food booth.

Attendees were catching beads from the balcony.

These ladies had a prime seating spot for the parade.

All good parades start with the military.

There were many great floats.

Lots of effort goes into making a beautiful float.

Pirates!!

Loved it.

The Aggies showed up.

Mardi Gras colors are Purple, Green and Gold. Purple – Justice. Green – Faith. Gold – Power.

“Let the Good Times roll.”

This float would work for St. Patrick’s Day also.

Mardi Gras is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

Loved this group.

Pirates!!

Mardi Gras marks the end of carnival season.

Da Krewe du Roux.

Another fun group.

The Fleur de Lis means life, enlightenment and excellence, and has an interesting history.

A pic that I liked as a former motorcyclist.

The parade included decorated golf carts also.

The balcony had the best views.

Mardi Gras is also known as Pancake Day.

The best name for a tanning salon that I’ve ever heard of.

The parade drew a large crowd.

Everyone was enjoying the sights and catching beads.

There were also Jeeps in the parade. You’ll see some of those later in this post.

After the parade, the streets filled up with people again.

Everyone was having a great time.

The food booths became very busy after the parade.

That concludes the pics from that first Saturday. There are many more in the galleries on my site. The link will be at the end.

The next Saturday, my garage was closed so I parked on the street. It was cheaper than the garage.

The early morning shot.

I usually go by the Tremont House for coffee when I arrive early.

They are located one block from all of the action and provide a great place to relax with a cup of Joe.

Mark was back for the next weekend from Austin.

I never tried any of the food from this booth.

But it all looked good.

A different staff but also fun.

A couple of Call of Booty members repping the Pirates.

A cat in a hat.

Jorge was back also.

A funny pic.

Cute girls serving cold beer is always nice.

Lilly Bontemp fits right in with Laissez Bon Temps Rouler. “Let the Good Times roll.”

Sharp dressed men.

Naji and his crew.

Amanda served me some freshly cooked beef with onions and cheese. So good.

All of the food booths had great food and friendly staffs.

Tits or Tips. He didn’t want to see my tits so I got a free pic, lol.

Beads, beads and more beads.

A fun couple.

With big beads, you need a big hat.

The crowd started gathering for the parade.

I got up to the street late.

Every spot on the rails were taken.

Mardi Gras had a good police presence.

This was going to be my view for the parade.

Then, I asked a nice officer if I could shoot from the street because I was with the Media. He said, “Sure” and this is my view from then on. Many thanx to him.