J.A.S.O.N.

I too have outgrown merely Mardi Gras spectating. That is why I joined a krewe. The balls, building floats, and fund raising is more appealing to me. Standing outside with a cup of beer with the large crowds just isn't my thing anymore. Being involved is much more fulfilling ror me.

LOL so true! I don't think the organizers know just how unpopular the event is outside of the Houston metro. Seriously, I go to school with kids from the Houston area and get responses like "Isn't Galveston's Mardi Gras small"? They're from the Houston area for goodness sake!! Don't even get me started on the Dallas kids. They have NO clue, none! There is not nearly enough publicity either. How about some of those "cheap" late night commercials that show images like this across the entire state or even Oklahoma... Here are some of my suggestions: 1. Shut the Strand down at 2am instead of 12am. 2. Alcohol Zones (I was told by a cop to throw my beer away a street over from the Strand, while walking to a bar) 3. Mix up the entertainment genres - Its mostly rock and some blues 4. Invite some celebs down as Grand Marshals, then plug the hell out of it. 5. Do the Coca Cola can discount thing, like Astroworld and the Texans. Maybe talk to them about a special edition local purple and gold "Mardi Gras Galveston" can

Well, there is the "Munchkin Parade" for the children, but other than that I don't think there is a conscious effort to tame the event at all. There is certainly a lot of "showing of the breasts" and drunkenness going on, on the Strand. What would you suggest TheNiche? Interesting Info AN UNAUTHORIZED HISTORY OF MARDI GRAS ON GALVESTON ISLAND Galveston's first recorded Mardi Gras celebration, in 1867, included a masked ball at Turner Hall (Sealy at 21st St.) and a theatrical performance from Shakespeare's "King Henry IV" featuring Alvan Reed (a justice of the peace weighing in at 350 pounds) as Falstaff. The party moved to the private home of Jackson Wheeler, a whiskey merchant on Mechanic Street later that evening, where it soon turned into a free-for-all orgy with men and women running around naked in full view of shocked passers-by. A constable later wrote that he was powerless to do anything, because many of the prominent men of the city were involved. Henri LaBonne, a Frenchman who allegedly operated a bordello on 3rd street at the time, furnished a bevy of females to the partygoers. By the following afternoon, the party was in full swing, with about 150 citizens on the premises, most of them intoxicated. One of the most influential men in town at the time was Milton Manor Chance, owner of a shipping line. His wife discovered that he was cavorting at the house on Mechanic St., and saddled the horse. When she arrived, she found her drunk husband in a "compromising" situation with one of the 3rd street girls, and clubbed him over the head with a flatiron. Chance was gravely wounded, and nearly died of the injury. He managed to survive, but suffered from severe headaches for many years afterwards. After three days the party broke up - but the damage had been done. The following year another wild party was held, although not as ribald as the original by any means. These parties continued sporadically, in the private domain, for many years. In 1985, Mardi Gras Galveston went public. The Houston Chronicle said this about Mardi Gras in Galveston: "It's not the real thing, but it's still a good party". Ahem…. I guess we could say the same about some of the things that go on in H-Town, but why bother? After all, they're right, it IS a good party. Mardi Gras was allegedly invented by a drunk French cross-dresser in Paris back in 1695 as an excuse to dress up as a female. The custom of throwing beads was started by American settlers who tossed beads from covered wagons to distract warring indian tribes while they made their getaway. The custom of showing breasts in exchange for beads was started by indian squaws at Manhattan Island, New York in the late 1600's. Reportedly, a British trading company exchanged $24 worth of beads and viewed over 6,000 native American breasts, receiving Manhattan Island as a door prize.

Every year the Galveston park board gives an excuse to why attendance was down in that particular year's Mardi Gras parades. In your opinion, what is keeping Galveston's Mardi Gras from becoming the premiere event on the gulf coast? New Orleans was hit pretty hard last year, not to mention we are working with a metro area that is larger. There seems to me to be a disconnect from what people actually want and what is provided. This is going to be my first year joining a crew, and I'd like to know what you guys think. Any suggestions or thoughts on how Galveston could improve its festival?

Mother's side - Polish & Black/Native American Father's side - 100% Louisiana Creole (much of the culture was lost on us Texans however)

I'd recommend these restaurants. Seafood, BBQ, & Mexican... Clary's Seafood Restaurant 8509 Teichman Rd Galveston, TX 77554 (409) 740-0771 Leon's World's Finest in & Out BBQ House 5427 Broadway St # A Galveston, TX 77551 (409) 744-0070 Also, Chico's Paradise has just opened. I've heard good things! The place has a rooftop bar. It's located across the street from Strewart Beach.

Is the same true of Lake Charles and Biloxi?

I wouldn't say a million years lol. Honestly, I'd give it another 10 to 15 years before there is gambling in Texas.

Nah, just a foggy night, but honestly there isn't much light missing from that photo. Niche, wow man that's some story. Glad to hear everything turned out ok.

You have NO idea. This is misery Rain, what's that? I'm in Denton now and we have had miserable summers for three years now. I actually miss the rain (seriously)! One thing I noticed also is that when I'm back home, there is usually a some sort of ""cool" breeze, or shade tree breeze. That wind in the Metroplex is hot, even at night. Driving in the car at night you can feel the warm air rising from the street, the only relief is inside.

If I remember correctly there was a downtown Houston lighting scheme thread. I also recall you guys took a proactive approach about the lack thereof. How/who did you guys get in contact with to get answers about your downtown's lighting? I believe Galveston could do a lot better job of lighting or highlighting its downtown architecture. Downtown Galveston is uninviting, bland, and rather creepy at night. Nothing gaudy, just something fitting of older architecture... Charleston downtown building http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/8764/dsfdflr0.jpg Downtown Savannah http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/839/sauf0.jpg American National has got the spirit, but that's about it. http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4567/543pxthestrandatnighteu9.jpg http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9181/klov6.jpg

I don't think it's a "validation of the town's sense of self-importance" thingy going on in Galveston. There is a certain arrogance that goes along with being a B.O.I. or Galvestonian. Nah, that couldn't be it. You haven't heard of the "Galvestonian's view of Texas"? I think it's more or less, we would like to enjoy some of the brands and chains as the rest of the metro. While tourists view Galveston as a retreat or escape from the norm, Galveston's non transient residents view is totally different. There is still no electronics store, or shoe store on the island. I know the folks here would sure appreciate a Best Buy or Foot Locker. We'd even keep it on our side of town so the tourist wouldn't have to see it. Before Hastings arrived a couple of years ago, there was no music store on the island. I take that back, one. Colby Cole's (rip). He was open three days a week, for a couple of hours a day.

I'm happy to entertain your gripes TheNiche. As many on this board know, I just love talking about Galveston. I'll let this topic rest... I will say however, it is funny how the responses differ from Galvestonians and this message board. I could say to another Galvestonian, "Hey, we are getting a ____________ (fill in the blank with a national chain)", and the response would be "Cool, I've always wished we had one of those." This has been happening a lot lately. A forumers response to the same question would go something like, "That's unfortunate". It's pretty funny, but true. Gosh, if only I had a video camera to prove it

Those employees aren't the ones who are commuting. The service industry in Galveston is staffed by Galvestonians. The professionals that work at American National and UTMB are the ones who commute. Galveston was bound to develop, but when? And why did it take so long in the first place ( almost 30+years). I think you are in the minority when it comes to enjoying the Galveston of old. You should see the line at the Rainforest Cafe on the weekends, seriously! LOL, just read Editor's discription of this subforum... "Paradise on the sea, or crime-ridden tourist trap? After a hundred years, why can't the city get back on its feet again?" I'd see you're point, except Galveston is seeing more tourist than ever (albeit the gambling years.) Fill the seawall up with national chains, and people will still come. You can't duplicate the island's combination of architecture, beach, history, and character in our metro.

^^ George Mitchell (and his wife) also did a lot to promote historical preservation here on the island in the '60's. George is also very benevolent to the city's poor, and gives to UTMB and TAMUG. We know about George Mitchell, but I don't understand why people can't see that Fertitta has also been good for the island. Tilman simply putting those businesses here was enough. They bring money to our city. His restaurants are always packed from what I can tell. When someone invests as he has, that will and did encourage others to build. That brand new convention center on Blvd was a joint venture between him and the city. Have you forgotten what Galveston used to look like after gambling left, a wasteland. Much of George Mitchell's contributions were downtown. A bunch of mom and pops dotting the seawall couldn't have contributed half as much as Fertitta has. I don't know of his philanthropic contributions, but I sure am glad he had brought jobs and contributed to the industry.

He has made a lot of money in Galveston, so does everyone else who invests in Galveston now. Galveston wasn't on anyone's radar in the '70's-80's. He took a gamble on his hometown and won, and more power to him. Blvd wouldn't look half as good as it does today if it wasn't for Fertitta. There is no denying that. Hill's, never heard of it

He's from Galveston I don't understand what's so bad about Fertitta either. He invested in Galveston at a time when no one else did.

Kudos to Dr. Merrell and Katy ISD. He's a good man, and is certainly deserving.

Highly overrated! The Colonel ride is much better.

I think they blew it too. They had a chance to make the "gateway" to the city something special I wish they had done something similar to this with the lighting. That "Galveston" pillar isn't even illuminated at night.

I took this picture of the rendering on the site two weeks ago...

I hope you are right. This town needed the cruise industry in the worst way. Downtown specifically, has benefited greatly. It would be ashame to see all of this go away after these great strides.

LOL, and don't you mainlanders forget it!