Wars, storms and financial troubles couldn’t keep a party town down

When the late George P. Mitchell decided to throw a party — the biggest and best party his hometown of Galveston had ever seen — he meant business.

Known as Mardi Gras, that same party 31 years later not only is still going strong, but is the third-largest such celebration in the nation. And the business it has generated — not to mention hometown pride and prestige — has grown by leaps and bounds.

For many who participate, it’s a 12-day stretch of parties, parades and revelry. But the Texas coast’s major commercial interests also hail it as a major financial engine. Amid the screaming of “Throw me something, mister!” — the traditional parade-side plea for a shower of colorful beads or other trinkets — there’s a serious side.

“It’s a party, for sure — a big party — but it also generates good will, civic pride and international prestige, not to mention providing an opportunity for major economic growth,” said Galveston native Dancie Ware, who was Mitchell’s public relations consultant. Ware has been on board with Galveston’s modern Mardi Gras since before its 1985 re-introduction.

“Mr. Mitchell loved to have fun, but he also recognized back in the early 1980s that this was a way to give the island’s struggling downtown area the boost it needed to become once again a vital part of Texas culture and commerce.”

Mardi Gras wasn’t new to Galveston. As a young boy, Mitchell had enjoyed Galveston’s earlier celebrations, before World War II intervened and put more serious matters before the nation. Mitchell, who went on to become a highly successful oilman and developer, remembered attending parades with his brothers and how much fun he had as just another kid on the street, never dreaming that one day, he would be the one spearheading the event, Ware said.

Whether to revitalize Galveston’s Mardi Gras was a big decision for Mitchell. But as a former wildcatter, he was accustomed to taking chances and rolling the dice. Not only was Mitchell resourceful, but he knew the town, knew the people and knew that if anyone could pull it off and get all the pieces in place, it would be Ware.

Careful research revealed just how integral Mardi Gras had been to Galveston in its early days. There’s some evidence that a celebration of “Fat Tuesday” had been organized by Galveston founder Michel Menard in the 1840s, and a documented celebration took place in 1867. That event included a dramatic presentation from Shakespeare’s “Henry IV” and an opulent masked ball in Turner Hall at the corner of Sealy and 21st streets.

In 1871, two competing krewes were at the forefront of the celebrations, and both the Knights of Momus and the Knights of Myth were hosts of parades and balls. By 1872, the competition was such that one regional newspaper exclaimed that year’s upcoming Mardi Gras “promised to eclipse anything ever attempted on Texas soil.” Texas Gov. Edmund J. Davis made his way to the event in 1873. But by 1880, mounting financial pressures had forced the discontinuation of street parades.

In 1900, a death knell to all celebrations on the island was delivered by The Great Storm, a hurricane that killed between 6,000 to 12,000 people. But by 1910, the city and the Port of Galveston had recovered sufficiently to once again host Fat Tuesday festivities. The Mystic Merry Makers gave its first dance in 1914, and in 1918 introduced His Majesty King Frivolous along with his queen and court. By this time, however, World War I was occupying the global picture, and all celebrations soon were scaled down. Next came a period of financial troubles that forced Mardi Gras proponents to rely on civic groups to keep the party going. With the outbreak of World War II, Galveston Island began operating under “blackout” conditions because of concern over possible enemy attack, and Mardi Gras was abandoned, except in private gatherings.

It’s hard to keep a party town down, however, and by the late 1940s — with the restoration of world peace — a group of Galveston residents once again turned their thoughts to Mardi Gras.

In addition to private celebrations, the exclusive Galveston Artillery Club began organizing balls, and a Treasure Ball for young people was established as a benefit project for local Catholic schools.

The 1980s brought with them a renewed awareness of Galveston’s historic importance. Concerned about the deteriorating state of the rare 19th-century architecture in his hometown, Mitchell — by this time among the richest entrepreneurs in Texas — launched an all-out effort to pull The Strand downtown area back from the brink of ruin. Building by building, he and his wife, Cynthia, began a rescue effort fueled by love and a lot of their own personal cash. Little by little, historic structures were renovated, with the most impressive project being the transformation of the 1879 Leon & H. Blum Building into an upscale, luxury hotel.

It was determined the opening of the new hotel — bearing the name of The Tremont House — would provide a perfect opportunity for a citywide Mardi Gras celebration, also spearheaded by the Mitchells. Twenty-five committees were organized to produce that first year’s event, including a grand, mile-long night parade.

Ware sought out experts from New Orleans and persuaded them to contribute their expertise to the Galveston event, and the 1871 Knights of Momus krewe was revived by a new generation of local city leaders.

Finally, when the floats began to roll for the first time in four decades on Feb. 16, 1985, the city sprang to life as if it had been electrified. “The Age of Mythology” was the theme that year, and for many, it seemed as if a myth — the myth of Galveston Mardi Gras — had come to life with a force never before seen on its historic streets. By the time it all was over, some 75,000 revelers had come to the party, filling the streets, cheering, screaming, laughing and even crying with joy.

The success of the event was staggering, and almost immediately, planning began for an even bigger and better celebration the following year. To add more interest, legendary musician Pete Fountain was named parade marshal and a series of seven celebratory “Fantasy Arches” were constructed at key points in the downtown area. The arches proved so intriguing, they were featured in The New York Times, and one remains today in front of The Tremont House.

As the parades — and subsequent years — rolled by, Galveston’s Mardi Gras became an apparent keeper. Each year, a new theme was in the spotlight, and revelers were treated to the sights and sounds of the Caribbean in 1987, Venice in 1988, France in 1989 and Brazil in 1990.

The success of the event was such that it seemed even Mother Nature had difficulty dimming the widespread enthusiasm that had grown up around the island’s Mardi Gras. Despite an ice storm that closed bridges and overpasses leading to the island in 1989 and another major hurricane in 2008, crowds have grown to several hundred thousand attendees in recent years. Additional krewes have been formed, many with family-friendly formats, such as the Mardi Gras Children’s Parade and the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Parade featuring pets.

Before the 12 days of festivities end, and the curtain is brought down on Galveston’s Mardi Gras for 2016, more than 3 million colorful beads will have been thrown and the island will have been host to more than 30 concerts, 22 parades and numerous viewing parties. Mardi Gras this year began Jan. 29 and is through Feb. 9.

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Let the good times roll

Mardi Gras! Galveston, the third largest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, features 22 parades, 30-plus concerts, 20 balcony parties and, of course, millions of beads. Here’s what’s on tap for the second week of the celebration. For a full schedule of Mardi Gras! Galveston activities, visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com.

Parades

Danny Weber Memorial Fire Truck Parade [7 p.m. Feb. 5]

The parade begins on The Strand at 20th Street, proceeds west on The Strand to 25th Street, travels south on 25th Street to Ship’s Mechanic Row, then proceeds east along Ship’s Mechanic Row to 20th Street, north along 20th Street to The Strand.

Krewe Babalu 11th annual “All Krewe Parade” [8 p.m. Feb. 5]

The parade begins on Ship’s Mechanic Row at 25th Street, proceeds east along Ship’s Mechanic Row to 20th Street, north along 20th Street to The Strand and west on The Strand to 25th Street.

Krewe of Maximilian Parade [9:30 p.m. Feb. 5]

The parade begins on The Strand at 20th Street, proceeds west on The Strand to 25th Street, travels south on 25th Street to Ship’s Mechanic Row, then proceeds east along Ship’s Mechanic Row to 20th Street, north along 20th Street to The Strand.

Krewe d’Esprit Rosaire Parade [11 a.m. Feb. 6]

The parade begins at Kempner Park, 27th and Avenue N. From there, it travels south on 27th Street to Seawall Boulevard, west on Seawall Boulevard to 31st Street, north on 31st Street to Avenue N and east along Avenue N. The parade ends at Jack Johnson Park, 27th Street and Avenue M.

Z Krewe 22nd Z Processional [1 p.m. Feb. 6]

The parade begins on Ship’s Mechanic Row at 25th Street, proceeds east along Ship’s Mechanic Row to 20th Street, north along 20th Street to The Strand and west on The Strand to 25th Street.

Houston Chronicle Neauxs Krewe Parade [2:30 p.m. Feb. 6]

The parade begins on The Strand at 20th Street, proceeds west on The Strand to 25th Street, travels south on 25th Street to Ship’s Mechanic Row, then proceeds east along Ship’s Mechanic Row to 20th Street, north along 20th Street to The Strand.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler Parade [4:30 p.m. Feb. 6]

The parade begins on The Strand at 20th Street, proceeds west on The Strand to 25th Street, travels south on 25th Street to Ship’s Mechanic Row, then proceeds east along Ship’s Mechanic Row to 20th Street, north along 20th Street to The Strand.

Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade [6:30 p.m. Feb. 6]

The parade begins on Seawall Boulevard at 23rd Street. It proceeds west to 25th Street travels north on 25th Street to Ship’s Mechanic Row, east on Ship’s Mechanic Row to 21st Street, north on 21st Street to The Strand and west on The Strand to 25th Street.

Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Parade [1 p.m. Feb. 7]

The parade begins at 20th Street and Harborside, south on 20th Street, west on The Strand, turns around at 25th Street and travels east ending at 21st Street and The Strand.

Mardi Gras Children’s Parade [2 p.m. Feb. 7]

The parade begins at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place, travels south on 25th Street, east on Postoffice Street, north on 19th Street, west on The Strand and ends on 25th Street and The Strand.

Krewe of Aquarius Fat Tuesday Parade [6:30 p.m. Feb. 9]

The parade begins on Postoffice and 25th streets travels east on Postoffice Street to 19th Street, north along 19th Street to The Strand, west on The Strand to 25th Street.

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Entertainment

Budweiser Stage, 2300 Strand

[Feb. 5]

5 p.m. Toy Subs

6:45 p.m. Fred Andrews and Honeybrowne

10:30 p.m. Cory Morrow

[Feb. 6]

Noon Al White and The Chaparral Band

2 p.m. Eleventh Hour

4 p.m. O.G.R.E

8:30 p.m. Dimitri’s Rail

11 p.m. Sprung

[Feb. 7]

11:45 a.m. Revis

2:30 p.m. Rapture

Electric Stage, 21st Street and Mechanic

[Feb. 5]

5 p.m. Studio 54 Dance Party

8 p.m. DJ Playboy

10 p.m. DJ Bizonne

[Feb. 6]

Midnight DJ Pistol B

5 p.m. Southbeat Music Pre-Party

8 p.m. DJ NonStopp

9:30 p.m. DJ Erok

11 p.m. DJ T. Gray

[Feb. 7]

Midnight DJ Kyle Berg

Sounds of New Orleans Tent, 22nd street and Strand

Zydeco music, crawfish and a draft beer wall

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Balcony Parties

Electric Mardi Gras Balcony Party

5 p.m. Feb. 5 and noon Feb. 6, 21st Street and The Strand

Krewe Babalu Balcony Party

5 p.m. Feb. 5 and noon Feb. 6, 2228 Strand

Mardi Gras King’s Court Balcony Party

5 p.m. Feb. 5 and noon Feb. 6, Trolley Station, 2021 Strand

Mardi Gras! Headquarters Balcony Party

5 p.m. Feb. 5 and noon Feb. 6, 23rd Street and The Strand

Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Party

3 p.m. Feb. 6, Island ETC, 2317 Mechanic

Mardi Gras Balcony Party

5 p.m. Feb. 6, Fishtales, 2502 Seawall Blvd.

A&M Mardi Gras Parade Viewing Party

6 p.m. Feb. 6, The Tremont House, 2300 Mechanic St.

Galveston Fat Tuesday Party

5:30 p.m. Feb. 9, 2300 Strand