No Parade, No Problem for Mardi Gras 2021

It's hard to live in, and love, Galveston and not have a little extra soft spot in your heart for Mardi Gras. The annual event is a fantastic balance of big fun for everyone while still offering some unique community focused enjoyment. Although we support the decision not to host the traditional event this year, you can't stop some saintly ideas from descending when it comes to Mardi Gras revelry.

It's in that spirit that Galveston's Krewe of Saints extends an invitation to fellow krewes, residents and revelers to put on your finest Mardi Gras ephermeral decorations as part of the 2021 House Floats Galveston.

Participants are tasked with decorating their yards, porches, homes, and storefronts in their Mardi Gras best for public display to passersby from Friday, February 5 through Fat Tuesday, February 16.

A map of participating stops will be made available on Monday, February 1, at kreweofsaints.org. If you're interested in decorating, you can visit that site to submit your address for the listing.

For a little festive lagniappe, deocrators are encouraged to be by their creations on Saturday, February 13, from 5-7pm to toss out beads, present their work, and interact with viewers in a socially distance manner.

For those just wanting to view the work, hop on your bike, jump in the car, or plan a stroll through town to view all the hard work. The concept, helmed locally by Krewe of Saints' Party director Megan Carpenter, is part of a larger effort created by New Orleans' Krewe of House Floats (KoHF).

KoHF is founded under the belief that if people cannot safely gather together on the parade route in 2021, then houses and locations can bring the spirit of the parades home to celebrate in a pandemic-safe manner that supports friends, neighbors, local culture-bearers, and locally owned buisnesses. Galveston's krewe is an offical subkrewe of the organization as an Expat Krewe. Visit www.kreweofsaints.org for locations and details.

Galentine's Day: How A Beloved Fake Holiday Became a Beloved Tradition

The tradition started as a celebration of Leslie Knope’s lady friends in a 2010 episode of the popular TV show ‘Parks and Recreation.’ But the pseudo-holiday has caught on over the years as a way to celebrate that most common and yet most unremarked-upon of things: female friendship. 

In a month that’s so focused on romantic love, those who don’t have someone to cuddle with on the 14th might feel a little forlorn at the constant reminders of their singlehood. That’s where this most joyful holiday comes into play. 

Whether you’re gleefully single, happily coupled or somewhere in between, taking a day to recognize the importance of friendship can only help strengthen some of the most important relationships in your lives. 

Brunch is traditional, in the sense that a holiday started by a fictional character can have traditions, because Leslie loved breakfast food (and Champagne) almost as much as she loved her besties. But this year especially, some of you might have to get a little creative. 

If you are not up for larger gathering in public places consider a rom-com movie night via video chat and DIY mani-pedis, a friends-only socially distanced outing, or even making desserts together from afar. If you’ve never watched a sappy movie from your respective couches with your best buds on the phone, you’ve got to try it. Just don’t forget the sugary snacks and those special beverages. 

You can also send out Galentine’s Day cards, share a Galentine’s Day quote, or buy your friend a cute Galentine’s Day gift. The only rule is that you spend your time celebrating each other, no significant others allowed.