Mardi Gras has started on Galveston Island. It was a beautiful, sunshine-y Saturday for a Parade.
First celebrated in 1867, the Galveston Mardi Gras tradition has a long and storied history.
During World War II, when the men folk were off at war, the Texas Gulf Coast Mardi Gras revelry slowed down and all but faded away.
But the tradition never truly died out. It was kept alive through private parties and discreet, at home, celebrations.
In 1985 Galveston native son George P. Mitchell revived the tradition and breathed life back into Mardi Gras in Galveston.
Galveston’s Mardi Gras celebration welcomes over 250,000 revelers annually.