Umbrella Brigade Registration
14th Annual Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade
February 21, 2025 – 8:30PM
Welcome, we are pleased you will be joining us for our 14th Annual celebrated event! Register your group by filling out and submitting the form below.
This Guinness World Record Breaking Event is FUN for all ages! Perks of participation include:
- FREE Entry with a DECORATED Umbrella on Friday, February 21st from 5 PM – 8:30 PM. Entry available through all of the gates.
- Pre-Party by the Salute to Texas Stage at 21st & Mechanic.
- Option to WIN Balcony Party Tickets for the rest of the evening. Display the Judging Number that will be emailed to you to indicate that you want to compete as the BEST of one of the following categories: Ocean Theme, Blast from the Past, Wildest Umbrella, Cartoon Theme, and Traditional Mardi Gras Theme.
PLEASE “CLICK FOR PARADE DETAILS” TO VIEW ALL INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PARADE PARTICIPATION.
Dedicated to Mary Pregler
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!
Parade Entrance: On Friday, February 21, 2024 from 5pm-8:30pm, participants may enter through ANY gate in the Entertainment District for free with a DECORATED umbrella. Please note: free entrance with a decorated umbrella will not be granted after 8:30pm.
Pre-Party: On the corner of 21st & Mechanic, you’re welcome to enjoy the Umbrella Brigade Pre-Party! There will be music playing at the Salute to Texas Stage and a bar nearby. Take pictures and tag @mardigrasgalveston while there. The pre-party will be from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Parade Route: Please see the map below for the route. The parade will begin at 8:30pm. It will take approximately 45-60 minutes for the parade to finish. Once completed, you are free to enjoy the rest of your evening!
Route:
(Optional) Parade Competition: WIN Balcony Party Tickets for the rest of the evening! Everyone registered will receive a Judging Number via email. Please check your spam. Judges will recognize groups by their assigned number. They will decide who is the BEST in the 5 categories and grant the winners King’s Court Balcony Party Tickets (2021 Strand). *Must be 21+ to enter Balcony Party.* Categories include: Largest Group, Best Ocean Theme, Hot Topics, Best Blast from the Past, and Wildest Umbrella. You will need to have at least ONE umbrella display your assigned judging number on top of the umbrella in order to be considered. Numbers must be at least 8.5in. x 11in., the size of a piece of letter paper. NUMBERS MUST BE LARGE AND VISIBLE. Judges will be at the Headquarters Balcony Party at 2228 Strand (23 & Strand).
We ask that all participants finish the parade route and join us for the Hokey Pokey under the Mardi Gras Arch located at 24th & Mechanic!
Check back in the Fall of 2024 for 2025 Registrations.
Enter the Mardi Gras! Galveston 2025 14th Annual Official Umbrella Decorating Contest.
The winning umbrella will lead the Funky Uptown Umbrella Brigade Processional Friday, February 21, 2025. They will also be featured in the Bryan Museum’s temporary Mardi Gras Exhibit.
2024 Day-Of Competition Winners
Best Blast From The Past
Bob Ross & The Bobettes
Largest Group
Naked Iguana Brewery
Hot Topics
Pardi Gras Legends
Best Ocean Theme
Palisade Palms Poseidon Crew
Picture taken by David James
Wildest Umbrella
Gleauxbe Trotters