Roy Hall (Prudential Gary Greene) and Michelle Hatmaker (HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate) celebrating Mardi Gras Galveston 2009!
Last night, Galveston came out in true Mardi Gras style with another fun-filled weekend of festivities and merriment. I was a little "unsure" of exactly what this weekend would bring. Mardi Gras is always a "hit" in our town. The question was what kind of "hit" would it be this year??? Would we see happy, energized crowds of people ready to celebrate our success and survival...or, would the event show lack of attendance bringing yet another loss to our community. As most locals know, Galvestonians can be a a little on the rowdy, scrappy side when tough times call for tough measures. But, they can also be a dedicated, profoundly generous and fun bunch, as well. This weekend they were true to form...in both ways!
Our little group of revelers gathered at Jan's house on 25th Street..directly on the Parade Route. The party was a diverse mix of local Realtors, mortgage people, bankers, and other business owners...as well as visitors that just love being in Galveston. The talk was lively and fun, but always returned to "How did you make out?" "How's your business?" "Are you open yet" The BIG question..."Did your insurance come through for you?" And it was always followed up with..."Let me know if you need anything...or if I can help!" Conversations were bittersweet mixed components of Hurricane Ike pain....and hope in Galveston's future opportunities for growth and change. Mardi Gras was a welcome relief...a little return to "normalcy"...or at least the beginning of what will be Galveston's "new normal."
A rather unique mix of party-goers gathered outside the gated area of Jan's lawn, bead-laden and dressed in Mardi Gras boas and hats, with blinking trinkets and noisy fog horns. Most everyone was in a cheerful and talkative mood...ready to reach for the beads that would rain on the crowds once the parade arrived. I happened to be inside foraging for a little nourishment when the parade actually started. So I missed the first float or two, but I could hear the cheers and shouts of those gathered on the street...and I thought back to last year's events. I couldn't help but wonder, "What will THIS one be like?" After stuffing myself with a few wings, and a little brie, I headed outside to join my friends...my community. For a moment, I had completely forgotten how many, if not all the original Mardi Gras floats had suffered severe damage in Ike. But as the parade progressed, I could hear others talking about how the Krewes had pulled together...rebuilding floats, sharing floats, "recreating" from the remnants that were left. I saw new sponsor names on each of the over sized "bead mobiles", stood in amazement at the ingenuity and creativity of some of the new additions to the string of moving monsters, and recognized many of the happy faces cubbied in the sanctuary of these bead-generating contraptions. The bands, the dancers, the crowds...all celebrating...celebrating more than just Mardi Gras...celebrating our return to "normal."
As the parade passed, and the evening progressed, I thought back to last year...again. Such a different time, such a different event. But, the common thread of community still interwoven among those of us that call Galveston "home." We're a little dented and different, this time around. That's okay...we're reshapen into something new...the beginning of something even more special than before.
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