Galveston set for Mardi Gras celebration

Galveston will be welcoming revelers to the island for the 101st Mardi Gras celebration, with events running from Friday, Feb. 10, to Feb. 21.

Festivities will include 26 concerts, 24 parades, 19 balcony parties and five masked balls.

"No Parking" signs will appear downtown alerting the public about upcoming street closures. Beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, 21st through 24th streets will be closed between Harborside and Strand and Strand and Mechanic.

Beginning at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, the area from Harborside to Mechanic, 20th to 25th streets, including 25th Street, and Market to New Strand, will be open to pedestrian traffic only.  Streets will re-open by 11:45 p.m. Feb. 12.

Parades are scheduled to begin at noon Saturday, Feb. 11. Access streets leading to Seawall between 10th and 69th streets will be barricaded from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For the second weekend, 21st through 24th streets will be closed between Harborside and Strand and Strand and Mechanic beginning at 5 p.m. Feb. 16. The area from Harborside to Mechanic between 20th and 25th streets will be open to pedestrian traffic only, beginning at 2 p.m. Feb. 17. Streets will re-open by 11:45 p.m. Feb. 19. Street closures along Seawall will begin at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 18.

Eastbound and westbound traffic will be closed on Seawall Boulevard from 2-10 p.m. Feb. 18. Access streets leading to Seawall will be barricaded in that area. Also, 25th street will be closed from Seawall Boulevard to Market from 3-10 p.m. Feb. 18. Broadway, Avenue O, Avenue P and Harborside will remain open for cross traffic, except during parade events.

To accommodate two parades, eastbound and westbound traffic will be closed on Seawall Boulevard between 25th and 53rd streets from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 19.

Crews will close streets inside the Uptown Entertainment District at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 21 in anticipation of the Fat Tuesday Parade. The area from Harborside to Church and 18th to 26th streets will be closed. Streets will re-open by 11 p.m.

Limited overnight parking along Seawall Boulevard will be allowed during the first weekend of Mardi Gras. Parking will be allowed beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, and all vehicles and trailers must be removed by 6 p.m. Feb. 12. There will be a number of areas along the Seawall designated as no parking zones or restricted access areas.

The police will operate a Mobile Command Station on 22nd Street between Market and Mechanic for the duration of the weekend. Dial 911 in case of an emergency. For nonemergencies, call 409-765-3702.

For more information, visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com.