Spirit Dancer set out for Pier 21 in Galveston on Friday February 9th. We were met by Karen and Rhese Hoylman. Had dinner at Willie G's at Pier 21 and then on to the "Strand" to collect some beads and see the sights and what sights did we see!

Saturday Rhese and Karen picked us up for breakfast at Sunshine Bakery.

We went to Karen and Rhese's condo in the Galvestonian to plan the rest of the trip.

We then headed for Fishtails restaurant to watch the afternoon parades along the seawall.

Late afternoon, we toured a bit then stopped by the boat for a quick security check. Then back to Fishtails to meet up with the Texas Mariners Cruisers Association for dinner, another parade and more festivities. And of course, back to the strand for a few of the evening's activities

Galveston’s first recorded Mardi Gras celebration, in 1867, included a masked ball at Turner hall (Sealy at 21st St.). The first year that Mardi Gras was celebrated on a grand scale in Galveston was a 1871 with the emergence of two rival Mardi Gas societies, or “Krews” called the Knights of Momus (known only by the initials “K.O.M.”) and the Knights of Myth, both of which devised night parades, masked balls, exquisite costumes and elaborate invitations.

The newly constructed Tremont Opera House, decorated with hundreds of caged canaries “trilling their gladsome voices,” provided a luxurious venue for the staging of tableaux (based on “The Pleasures of the Imagination and the evening ball.

Mardi Gras festivities floundered somewhat during the World War I and II years and after, but in 1985, native Galvestonian George P. Mitchell and his wife, Cynthia, launched the revival of a citywide Mardi Gras celebration. The Mitchells had long dreamed of restoring the island’s splendid tradition, and the grand opening of their elegant Tremont House hotel in the historic Strand District provided the spark to do so.

Carnival Colors: The colors of purple, green and gold are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras. This association began in 1872. Purple is identified with justice, green with faith and gold with power.

Krewes are committees or social clubs that coordinate parade floats, balls and fundraising activities for Carnival and Mardi Gras. The Knights of Momus are considered the oldest Krewe in Galveston’s Mardi Gras. Although disbanded when Mardi Gras was cancelled during World War II, they were revived with Mardi Gras in 1985.

Fat Tuesday arose from the purging of household foods forbidden during the Lenten fast. Among the forbidden items were eggs, milk and fat, so resourceful cooks devised the tradition of preparing last minute meals that depleted their supplies of these items. Made with all three ingredients, pancakes became a popular Mardi Gras meal and are still part of some observances.

Throws: A popular Mardi Gras tradition includes the tossing of inexpensive baubles, beads and trinkets by Krewes to parade watchers. The tradition dates to 1871, when a masker costumed as Santa Claus dispensed gifts to the crowd.  Today, plastic beads and throws made up a large part of the 2 week budget - $83,000 for beads to be precise.