 Each year, more than half a million people gather in the streets of Galveston Island to participate in the largest Mardi Gras celebration in Texas. For 12 days and 11 nights the island is electrified by the sounds of live music, spectacular parades, elaborate masked balls, and flamboyant costumes. This year, Mardi Gras! Galveston happens February 9 thru Fat Tuesday, February 20.
The traditional festival of feasting and merrymaking that precedes the season of Lent has been publicly observed on Galveston Island as early as 1867 (and later revived in 1985) by Galveston-born preservationist and developer George P. Mitchell. This year's celebration marks the 23rd consecutive year of Mardi Gras! Galveston since its 1985 revival. Now coordinated by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees in conjunction with 18 participating Krewes, the success of Mardi Gras! Galveston continues to grow as hundreds of thousands of revelers participate in Texas' largest Mardi Gras celebration.
 The first year that Mardi Gras was celebrated on a grand scale in Galveston was 1871 with the emergence of two rival Mardi Gras societies, or "Krewes", 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 Krewes now number near two dozen and Galveston Mardi Gras officials are very excited about the many things in store, including the addition of a new krewe, called Krewe du Vroom.
According to the Mardi Gras! Committee Chairman, Michael Hightower: "Krewe du Vroom is the first and only motorcycle krewe in the nation so we are very excited about adding this to the parade line-up, but we are also very optimistic about the overall success of Mardi Gras! Galveston 2007 and are planning on hosting one of the best celebrations this island has seen."
 The large number and variety of parades offered during the celebration are making Galveston's Mardi Gras a notable celebration. This year there are 9 parades scheduled and two new parades that might be added to the line-up: the Krewe du Vroom parade and the Galveston County Firefighter’s Fire Truck Parade.
Also of special emotional note is a parade on Feb. 10th, themed, Krewe of Gambrinus “The Spirit of New Orleans” Parade. Since the national disasters of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina many New Orleans natives call Galveston or the Houston area home and this parade is held in their honor. King Gambrinus will throw a parade for 200,000 of his closest friends with more than 650,000 beads to be thrown. This elaborate parade will feature 15 sparkling, theme-decorated floats, 15 marching bands, thousands of beads and specially-minted doubloons. King Gambrinus will also light up the night with a spectacular fireworks display during the parade.
 Another icon of Mardi Gras! Galveston is the Philadelphia Mummers. For more than 23 years the Quaker City String Band Philadelphia Mummers have marched down the streets of Historic Downtown Galveston and amazed Mardi Gras goers with their flamboyant costumes, festive music, and incredible presence. The Mummers are one of the most popular sights of Mardi Gras! Galveston.
If you're not into large crowds gathering on narrow, historic streets, then you might want to pass on this gala celebration. Or skip the parades and attend some of the great balls and other Mardi Gras events. Overall, more than a half million people will converge on Galveston for this very historic and traditional island celebration.
More than 30 bands will captivate spectators on two grand stages located in the heart of the Bud Light Entertainment District.
In addition to live music, the celebration includes several exciting parade processions accompanied by local Krewe members dressed in extravagant costumes, intriguing art exhibits, stimulating sports events, plus an assortment of elaborate masquerade balls to entice the black-tie senses.
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Rio Grande Valley