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It’s bead and umbrella time!

courtesy their Facebook page! (Vadim Troshkin, Vadim Troshkin)

I’m forecasting literally thousands of umbrellas tonight as Mardi Gras begins! See photo above!!

This afternoon, The George Mitchell Award will honor Rudy and Donna Teichman for their long-standing support of Galveston’s Mardi Gras and original role back in the 1980s using their tug boats to bring over the first floats from New Orleans. A Family Gras procession follows and tonight at 8:30 p.m. the big Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade Parade holds forth! A big congrats to the Teichman family including my friend, Brian Teichman!

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The Teichman Family is being honored tonight for their Galveston Mardi Gras support

If you’ve visited the Strand, you’ve seen Yaga’s Cafe. It’s owner Mike Dean is a big player in Galveston’s Mardi Gras. Inspired by a police officer friend, Dana Williams, Mike first organized The Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade Parade in 2011 as a tribute to those Second Line parades you see in New Orleans after a wedding, like this one of my friends’ Regina and Matt Reynolds just last October:

courtesy Regina Reynolds via Eau Claire photographics

Mike Dean wasn’t satisfied with just a parade, but went for the big prize: the Guinness Book of World Records for an Umbrella Parade which he accomplished in both 2011 and 2012! Last year’s parade brought in 2,000 umbrella-toting celebrants, and they expect they same this year. By the way, if you arrive with a decorated umbrella and participate in the parade, get there before 8:30 p.m. and admission is FREE!

courtesy Mike Dean
courtesy Mike Dean

I must say, it’s always nice to forecast umbrellas on a beautiful sunny day! I’ll be LIVE weathercasting down in Galveston today! Enjoy a safe and sunny Mardi Gras first weekend!

Frank

Email me with ideas, comments and questions!


About the Authors
Frank Billingsley headshot

KPRC 2's chief meteorologist with four decades of experience forecasting Houston's weather.