It's that time of year again, and Texas is gearing up for Mardi Gras with a slew of events across the state that boast gumbo cook-offs, live music, and festive parades with a Lone Star twist. From a Cowboy-themed celebration in Bandera to pub runs in San Antonio, Texans are ready to let the good times roll, Mardi Gras style.
Cowboy hats meet Mardi Gras beads in Bandera, as Fox San Antonio reports. The Cowboy Mardi Gras from February 1 to 3 will kick things off with Cajun food and Zydeco music for all to enjoy, and the event is family-friendly, complete with arts and crafts, and yes, a gumbo cook-off. Meanwhile, revelers in San Antonio can latch onto a pub run and grab wristbands for zero cover charges at local bars on February 2, followed by the Bud Light Mardi Gras River Parade & Festival packed with food trucks and live entertainment on February 10.
Switching over to Galveston, the state's oldest and biggest Mardi Gras fest is set to enchant with an array of parades and performances, according to Texas Monthly. The celebration will span from February 10 through 21, with live shows by country star Chris Janson and the Austin duo Ghostland Observatory, and, for those feeling especially festive, balcony passes are available to catch beads from above the crowds.
But it's not just about the human revelers. In McKinney, Fido gets to join the fun with the Krewe of Barkus on February 19, a parade that this year honors four-legged superheroes and commemorates the local legend of Benji, the heroic mutt. And for something a little different, Yachty Gras in Kemah on February 11 puts a maritime spin on the party, as parade-goers watch a flotilla of decorated boats from the Kemah Boardwalk toss beads to the crowd, in preparation for the event's 25th anniversary in 2025.
Not to be outdone, Beaumont is preparing for its grand Mardi Gras spectacle set for February 16 through 19, promising a wealth of music from local zydeco bands to Houston rap legends Slim Thug and Lil’ Keke. The city is decking out its streets for the occasion, and festivities will include parades tailored not just to humans but to golf carts and ATVs as well, because in Texas, even the vehicles party hard.
