Galveston College readies for Mardi Gras! Galveston

Mardi Gras! Galveston is more than just king cakes and beads. It is a season of traditions that is celebrated each year and a time that the community comes together in formal, fun ways.

The island’s 111th Mardi Gras celebration begins Friday, Feb. 18, and continues until March 1, or Fat Tuesday. Both weekends are packed with parades, parties and revelry.

The 10-day event is expected to draw more than 300,000 attendees for masked balls, balcony parties, parades and concerts. With COVID-19 cases at high rates, parades and celebrations will need to look very different this year in order to be safe.

Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Mardi Gras Parade
On Saturday, Feb. 19, Galveston College students, faculty and staff will participate in the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Mardi Gras parade, which begins at 12 p.m. and runs from 57th and Seawall to the Strand Historic District.

Lineup is at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church parking lot at 822 23rd Street in Galveston. Click here to view the parade route. COVID precautions will be followed.

Door Decorating Contest
In the spirit of the festivities, Galveston College will have a faculty and staff Mardi Gras door decorating contest. The theme of the contest, “Galveston College Just Wants to Have Fun,” is based on the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius’ 2022 parade theme “The Krewe Just Wants to Have Fun.”

Doors will be judged based on the following criteria:

Best use of theme
Creativity
Incorporation of Galveston College values and spirit
Overall appearance

Please use an acceptable wall-safe adhesive material to affix decorations to surfaces. Decorations may not obstruct or prevent easy access to an office. No candles, live trees or animals may be used in decorating.

Doors/desks/suites should be decorated by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11. Winners will be announced the week of Feb. 14.

One departmental door, one individual door, one individual desk and one office suite will be selected. The judges reserve the right to award runners-up and honorable mentions.

More About Mardi Gras! Galveston 2022
This island-style Mardi Gras has plenty of personality. There’s the classic revelry found in the heart of Galveston’s historic downtown district, where the bulk of festivities takes place, and also family-friendly events and parades along the Seawall.

To view the concert schedule, confirm parade routes and times, purchase tickets for ticketed events and venues, or to become a vendor, please visit the official Mardi Gras! Galveston website at http://www.mardigrasgalveston.com/.

For more information on Galveston College’s participation in Mardi Gras activities, contact Student Life Coordinator Randy Graves at [email protected]. For more information about the faculty and staff door decorating contest, contact Carol Langston at [email protected].

Above: Galveston College alumnus and former Student Government Association President David Gage throws beads to parade-goers during the 2020 Mystic Krewe of Aquarius Mardi Gras parade in Galveston. Galveston College students, faculty and staff will participate in this year’s parade on Saturday, Feb. 19. The 2021 parade was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns.