Here is a random selection of images form Mardi Gras Galveston 2012 including some from the Knights of Momus Grand Night parade from Saturday night.


Jay and Lori Carnes pose outside the Dancing Queen and Dancing Queen 2 before the start of the Momus Grand Night Parade Saturday.


V.J. Tramonte, left, with Steve Mataro abord one of the Knights of Momus floats.


Capt. Jack Sparrow in front of a pirate themed float at the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade Saturday.


Landry's owner and CEO Tilman Fertitta prepares to shoot an introduction for the TV broadcast of the Momus Parade on Saturday. Landry's pays for the rebroadcast of the parade each year.


Kim Padgett, left, and Nina Greenberg hand out with some furry friends from Landry's Rain Forest Cafe before the start of the Momus parade.


Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski and his wife Rebecca at the Landry's post parade party at Pier 21.


Galveston City Councilman Steve Greenberg and his wife Nina at the Landry's post parade party at Pier 21.


Ch. 13 sports anchor Bob Allen and Heather McMahan at the Landry's post parade party at Pier 21.

It's the 101st celebration of Mardi Gras! Galveston. You can follow us starting at noon Sunday as we check in on the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade and the Mardi Gras Children’s Parade.

We'll be using Cover It Live to collect our Tweets, photos and other reports into an ongoing stream from the festival, but won't be accepting comments in chat. We do want to hear from you, however! Post your comments below in the blog.

And please send us your Mardi Gras photographs and videos. We will publish the best in the newspaper and online. Mail your images to: yourphotos@galvnews.com or on Twitter use the hash tag @MGG2012 or on Facebook tag @Galveston County Daily News.

It's the 101st celebration of Mardi Gras! Galveston. You can follow us starting at 7 p.m. as we check in on the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade, with our first ever live chat from the parade route. Also, follow what's happening at the Motown-themed Tremont Ball in downtown.

We'll be using Cover It Live to collect our Tweets, photos and other reports into an ongoing stream from the festival, but won't be accepting comments in chat. We do want to hear from you, however! Post your comments below in the blog.

And please send us your Mardi Gras photographs and videos. We will publish the best in the newspaper and online. Mail your images to: yourphotos@galvnews.com or on Twitter use the hash tag @MGG2012 or on Facebook tag @Galveston County Daily News.

One of my favorite events of Mardi Gras is the San Luis costume contest. For 29 years, Mardi Gras revelers have put on their finest Mardi Gras wear and compete for cash and prizes.

The contest returned this year and despite an earlier downpour that likely cut into the participation and the audience, there was a tough competition. Two float teams from the Krewe of Gambrinus entered. They were competing with some island residents who paid tribute to Galveston’s past.

Channel 13 anchor Tom Koch, Channel 13 investigative reporter Wayne Dolcefino and I were the judges. Scott Sparks of radio station 107.5 The Eagle was our emcee and funny as ever.

I dare you to call him while he is on the air this week and get him to tell you the Tilmanville joke.

It was a tough decision. We had one group dressed as giant bugs and exterminators, another group dressed as giant Toucans. The third group dressed as characters and parts of the old Balinese Room, complete with a Frank Sinatra and a dead ringer for Marilyn Monroe portrayed by Galveston Chamber of Commerce President Gina Spagnola.

Only a few points separated first from third, but the Memories of the Balinese Room won the $250 cash grand price. The birds took 1st place and $175 while the bugs took home $100 for second place.


The grand champions


This flock of dancing toucans from the Krewe of Gambrinus took first runner up.

One of the highlights of the night during the San Luis Salute was the introduction of retired NASA shuttle commander Mark Kelly of League City and his wife former Arizona U.S. Rep. Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords.

Giffords, as you may recall, was battling for her life just a year ago after a gunman opened fire during a congressional event in Tucson. What a difference a year can make.

I first met Gabby and Mark at the San Luis Salute soon after they were married. I often remarked how big a smile Gabby had.

I was among those who got to visit with Gabby at the head table of Paige and Tilman Fertitta Friday night. What a personal thrill and inspiring visit for me.

Wearing a burgundy dress and white shawl and a smile as big a Texas, as she sat at the table before dinner was served. Security was tight — as to be expected — but as I approached she reached out and grabbed my right hand and starting swaying to the music.

I told her she was the best dancer in the ballroom Saturday night. You could tell this was a woman happy to be alive.

I have to admit I got chills, to be seeing her and realizing what a miraculous recovery she had had thus far. I turned to Mark and thanked him for being an example for everyone to model as an astronaut and as a husband.

When Gabby and Mark were introduced a bit later, the couple was given a standing ovation. I know people at our table just a few feet away from where Gabby and Mark sat shed some tears, including me.

It was an inspiring moment that will stick with me forever.


Mark Kelly and Gabriel Giffords steal a kiss during the San Luis Salute Mardi Gras Ball Friday at the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort. Photo by Manny Chan/Creative Photography

It came a downpour this morning, but my weather experts predict that the skies will clear by the time the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade gets going.

So, how about you. Will the weather change you mind about coming down to catch some beads?

It may have been raining outside, but inside the Galveston Island Convention Center at the San Luis Resort Friday night it was all sunny skies and the rhythm of South Beach. The 16th annual San Luis Salute was once again THE Mardi Gras! Galveston Ball to attend. Over the top doesn’t begin to describe the event that is the Salute.

Hosted by Paige and Tilman Fertitta, the Salute contributes $100,000 to University of Texas Medical Branch departments. The sold out event is a party from the get go. As soon as the curtain to the ballroom opens, people hit the dance floor. The main act of the night out of Atlanta was Jessie’s Girl.

Good party band.

As is the tradition, there was a surprise musical guest. This year Belinda Carlisle of Go Go’s fame was our surprise treat. Forgive some personal indulgence here. In high school, I had a huge crush on Belinda Carlisle. As it turns out, so did many other guys in the room, including my tablemates Greg Stackhouse and Blake Tartt III.

Maybe the biggest thrill of the night for me was seeing retired NASA shuttle commander Mark Kelly and his wife retired U.S. Rep. Gabriel Giffords.

Close friends to the Fertittas, Kelly and Giffords have been regular attendees at the Salute. One year ago, Giffords was in an Arizona hospital recovering from gun shot wounds to the head. Kelly attended the Salute in 2011 with one of Gifford’s nurses Tracy Culbert.

Saturday night, dressed in a purple dress and a white shawl, Giffords and Kelly sat the head table with the Fertittas and other dignitaries, which included Kelly’s twin brother Scott, also a NASA astronaut; State Rep. Craig Eiland and his wife Melissa; UTMB president Dr. David Callender and Jim and Dancie Ware.

Read more about Gabby’s return to Mardi Gras.

Below some of the images from the 16th annual San Luis Salute.




One of the best ball gowns of the night was worn by The Daily News' business manager D'Lorah Collier. She said it was one of the most expensive dresses she's ever purchased, but worth every penny.


Kim Padgett takes time to congratulate the 2012 King Frivolous XCVII of the Knighst of Momus Johnny Listowski.


Belinda Carlisle, former lead singer of the 1980's pop group Go Go's, was the surprise musical act at the Salute. Photo by Kim Padgett


Kim Padgett, sporting remarkable jewelry from the Houston Galleria Baccarat store, is all smiles with her good friend Carol Sawyer after dancing to the music of Jessie's Girls at the 2012 San Luis Salute.


As is a tradition of the San Luis Salute, many of the 1,100 attendees join the band on stage for several numbers.


No San Luis Salute is complete for me until I have my picture taken with Vic and Joy Fertitta (Tilman's parents). A lovelier couple you will not find anywhere.

More photographs to come.