Posted on: January 24, 2012
Galveston Invites Guests to Mardi Gras
Galveston’s Mardi Gras celebration to include plenty of entertainment and family fun
From Feb. 10-21, Texas will celebrate its largest Mardi Gras celebration yet, Mardi Gras! Galveston, with bead-throwing, 24 parades, 26 concerts, 19 balcony parties, five masked balls and more. Held from 1867 to 1941 and revived in 1985, Galveston’s Mardi Gras event is the largest of its kind in Texas and the third largest in the nation.
Hot Chelle Rae — the American Music Award’s Sprint New Artist of the Year — will headline the celebration, performing in front of thousands of fans and Mardi Gras attendees on Saturday, Feb. 11. The concert will be held at 10 p.m. at Saengerfest Park.
Other events include 24 parades, such as the “A Salute to George Mitchell Parade,” and an attempt to hold onto the world record title for the largest umbrella dance in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Sunday, Feb. 12 will transform the event into Family Gras! for a variety of kid-friendly events such as parades and other live entertainment. For adults seeking the elegant side of Mardi Gras, the event will also feature five masked balls with black-tie attire, lavish buffets, live performances, dancing and parade viewing.
Last year’s Mardi Gras event saw not only an increase in attendance but also a 50 percent drop in police calls, making it one of the largest and safest Mardi Gras celebrations on record. This year’s event will be even bigger, with more than 300,000 expected guests.