Mardi Gras Parades- Texas Style

Each year, Mardi Gras is a blow out celebration marking the beginning of the Lent season. While the traditional Mardi Gras celebration is held in Louisianna, the state of Texas also finds celebration to be quite common. For families with children, traveling around the state of Texas to watch the various Mardi Gras parades is a family tradition. The following is a list of common annual Mardi Gras parades.

In Galveston, Texas, Mardi Gras is an annual celebration, generally scheduled in the month of February. With celebration and activities for the entire family, Mardi Gras in Galveston, Texas, offers parades, Balls and parties as early as January. Running from the town of Kemah, Texas to the Gulf of Mexico, the Galveston Mardi Gras celebration is meant to be an all encompassing event for residents and visitors to the Southeast portion of Texas. Of significant importance is the annual Kickoff Parade, usually held in the noon. Catering to children, this parade includes clowns, costumes and the best high school bands and drill teams in the south Texas area. In the evening of the same day, a more elaborate Mardi Gras parade takes place catering to a more adult crowd. This parade, commonly, includes bands, drill teams, and some of the most beautiful Mardi Gras themed floats. In addition, the parade is usually wrapped up with a fireworks celebration.

In contrast to Galveston, Texas, there is an another Mardi Gras parade with a similar theme and approach but equally different in style. Located in Port Arthur, Texas, the Courir Parade is based on the Cajun theme of the Mardi Gras events and is open to the public. With large numbers of public participants, often including children, the Port Arthur Mardi Gras parade generally ends in carnival grounds where a festival begins and awards are given to those with the most unique and elaborate constumes.