Bring out the entire family for a day full of fun and festive parades at Family Gras!

Sun., Feb. 15th at 12:00 p.m.
Shriners Children’s Texas & Sunshine Kids Parade  

100’s of Sunshine Kids and Shiners children, along with their families, enjoy lunch & throw beads off of a balcony on Strand Street. They will also kick off their parade at 12:00 p.m. throwing beads, candy & more!

Presented by Shriners Hospital for Children & Sunshine Kids

Parade Route:

Begins Santa Fe Place, loops twice around Strand/Mechanic.

Sun., Feb. 15th at 1:30 p.m.
Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade 

Presented by Galveston Island Humane Society

The revelers aren’t the only ones who love Mardi Gras. Families and their pets are happy to have a way to be involved in the Mardi Gras Galveston festivities, The Galveston Island Humane Society created the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade 27 years ago, and this crowd-pleasing event has been going strong ever since! You will see many pet types from dogs and cats, to horses, bunnies, ferrets, lizards, and more.

Leading the parade each year is the “Elite Pet” and their family. This title was earned at our annual, Paws Gala, which is held each September. Last year, we had two winners, Georgia and Dolly, supported by their mom, Lindsey Serrette.

The Krewe also features our Cat’s Eye View Balcony Party which allows guests to view the Barkus & Meoux Parade along with the two equally wonderful family friendly parades, one before and one after Barkus & Meoux.

The Parade and Viewing Party are not only fun activities for people of all ages, but also raises critical funds to support animal care, enrichment, and our community advocacy programs.

For more information or to sponsor or register your pet, visit our website: https://www.galvestonhumane.org/ 

View Parade Route

Sun., Feb. 15th at 3:00 p.m.
Firefighters Children’s Parade

Local firefighters and first responders host a parade dedicated to the families and children of Galveston with decorated floats and costumed kids. In 2005 the Galveston Firefighters stepped forward to “Save the Children’s Parade” by assuming the role of parade coordinator. The Firefighters felt that since the parades are the main attraction to Mardi Gras, and because the Children’s Parade was the only Mardi Gras activity geared toward children, it was important to keep the tradition alive.

Parade Route:

The parade will begin at 25th Street and Santa Fe Place and head south on 25th Street. The parade will turn at 25th and Postoffice, proceed east down Postoffice Street, turn north on 19th Street, turn west on Strand Street, and conclude at 25th and Strand.