Galveston's 2017 Mardi Gras is celebrated with a parade, smiles

PHOTOS: Galveston Mardi Gras 2017 People pose for a photo at Mardi Gras! Galveston parade Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in Galveston. PHOTOS: Galveston Mardi Gras 2017 People pose for a photo at Mardi Gras! Galveston parade Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in Galveston. Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle Photo: Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 87 Caption Close Galveston's 2017 Mardi Gras is celebrated with a parade, smiles 1 / 87 Back to Gallery

It's the middle of February and Mardi Gras season has officially kicked off in the South.

While New Orleans is known for being the hub of the festivities, Galveston has observed the celebration for over 100 years - 106 years to be exact.

FROM THE PAST: Take a look at Mardi Gras through the years

The season was officially kicked off on Friday, February 17, but the official opening parade marched down the Strand District on Sunday, February 19. "Fiesta Gras de Carnival" is a new concept of Texas' version of Mardi Gras that was introduced this year.

Hundreds of Texans and visitors flooded the Strand District in Galveston to kick off the season with the parade. As floats, bands and beads filled the streets, the smiles on everyone's faces did as well. From the young to the old, multitudes of people smiled during the festivities. Click through the gallery above to see the seenseters of Mardi Gras 2017 in Galveston.

For more information about the festivities to follow in the bay area, visit MardiGrasGalveston.com. They'll have events, parades and concerts going every week throughout February.

AUTHENTIC CELEBRATION: Mardi Gras is coming, time for a King Cake