Galveston prepares for thousands at Mardi Gras

Galveston Mardi Gras 2015 Schedule & Info

The beads will be flying this February as Mardi Gras returns to Galveston.

Check out the details on all of this year's events. Galveston Mardi Gras 2015 Schedule & Info

The beads will be flying this February as Mardi Gras returns to Galveston.

Check out the details on all of this year's events. Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close Galveston prepares for thousands at Mardi Gras 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

When Houstonians and Galvestonians head out to The Strand and the Seawall this weekend to "laissez les bons temps rouler," there will be a few more rules in place to make sure the party isn't spoiled.

Officials are expecting more than 300,000 revelers to converge on the island for the 104th celebration of Mardi Gras in Galveston.

On the county level, this weekend and the next have been designated as no-refusal weekends, according to the Galveston County Sheriff's Office. Each no-refusal period starts on Friday and ends Sunday evening.

In Texas, anyone driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher is considered legally impaired. That means cabs, designated drivers and hotels would probably be key in staying clear of DWI debacles.

"We want everyone to be able to enjoy the festivities in safety, and that means law enforcement will be working extra hard to keep drunk drivers off the road," Galveston County Criminal District Attorney Jack Roady said.

The Galveston Police Department will also be sending out extra patrols to nab suspected drunken drivers.

Sgt. Joshua Schirard with that department says that aside from the drunken driving offenses, it's always a mixed bag.

"Historically we have seen some disorderly conduct charges, mostly for fighting, a few for public nudity, which are mostly males, and then an increase in narcotic offenses," said Schirard.

City of Galveston spokeswoman Kala McCain said Thursday that the city is definitely excited for another Mardi Gras season, which pumps millions of dollars into the island's economy. The other big party the island hosts is the annual Lone Star Rally, which sees thousands of bikers hit the city for close to a week of live music and parties each fall.

McCain reminds partiers that city ordinance prohibits the use of glass beverage containers on the Seawall and in the Strand area. It's been heavily enforced during the festivities.

Open fires also are prohibited.

Galveston city leaders will allow limited overnight paid parking starting at 5 a.m. Friday along Seawall Boulevard during the first weekend of Mardi Gras, but not the second weekend. Vehicles and trailers must be properly registered.

All vehicles and trailers must be removed no later than 6 p.m. on Sunday evening. After that, ticketing and towing will begin.

"We're expecting thousands of people, from residents to visiting revelers," McCain said. "You can also expect the usual police presence downtown."

Even though she will be working, she will still make time to enjoy the festivities.

"I love the parades myself. We have such a neat variety of parades," says McCain. "The Philadelphia Mummers are also coming back this year, and they are just phenomenal."