Event Information for Band Members

Click the event name for information on staging time and location, uniform of the day, maps, etc.

Events that have already passed or for which we do not yet have staging info are not listed here.
See the Performances page for a full list of events.

 

Date Event
Feb 26 - Mar 2, 2025
(cruise extension to Mar 9)

Galveston Mardi Gras TRAVEL INFO

Mar 1 & Mar 2, 2025

Galveston Mardi Gras PARADE INFO

Mar 4, 2025

Portland Mardi Gras

  Long-Term Travel Plans
Click event names to jump to info for that event.

General Info:

  • If you need MUSIC for an event, email the TBGO Librarian (currently Dan Dees) as soon as possible so that he can have parts ready for you. You can reach him as librarian@thebeatgoesonmb.org.
  • If you can't find info on this page that was announced in email, try refreshing the page in your browser (Ctrl-R or Ctrl-Shift-R).
  • If you want to print part of the information on this page but not the whole page, try selecting the stuff you want to print, then choose Print, then check "Selection" in the area that says Print Range or Page Range.
  • Events that have already passed or for which we do not yet have staging info are not listed here.   For the complete list of the year's events, see the Performances page.

Galveston Mardi Gras

February 26 - March 2, 2025; optional cruise extension to March 9, 2025

Note: If the navigation header at top is in your way, click the up-arrow at top right to slide it out of your way.

It's "Island Time for the TBGO Marching Band!!!" Galveston, TX is located just about one hour southeast of Houston Hobby Airport, the closest airport to Galveston. This year will mark the 114th celebration of the 3rd largest Mardi Gras celebration in the U.S., right after NOLA and St Louis, MO. This year they are expecting nearly 450,000 people to attend the Galveston event. There will be over 20 different parades from February 21 – March 4, 2025. There's dazzling pageantry from the beach to The Strand (the heart of Old Town Downtown Galveston) as the Island's Krewes prepare to throw more than 3 million beads and other trinkets to throngs of revelers.

TBGO will perform in 2 of the more than 20 parades that will strut their stuff during the two-week celebration. February 28 at 7:30 pm is the Krewe Babalu Parade, looping twice around the Entertainment District (about 1.6 miles total). Krewe Babalu is the "every man's Mardi Gras Krewe" founded in 1995 by Guy Taylor with the purpose of promoting Mardi Gras festivities on Galveston Island and promoting civic and social activities within the organization and the city of Galveston. Following the parade we will hold an all comers (everybody) pizza party with sodas and ice cream at our band hotel, paid for by the TBGO band fund.

At 6 pm on March 1 it's the spectacular Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade . Crowds grow large as Galveston's oldest Krewe parades down 25th Street and around the Entertainment District (about 2.2 miles). The Grand Night Parade features a magnificent fleet of colorful floats, marching bands from all over the state, dignitaries, and more!

What Else Does Galveston Offer?

The tour package also features a half-day sightseeing tour with carriage ride in the historic district, as well as a guided tour of 28,000 square-foot Moody Mansion, restored to its 1895 splendor.

And save some time for a beach visit!!! You can soak up the sun on on 32 miles of sandy shoreline. The island is a fantastic destination for seekers of sun and surf to especially enjoy either Stewart and or East Beach. Generally temperatures for end of February early March in the 70's.

In addition to this, there is just so much history that has taken place at Galveston with various historic neighborhoods, old-style trolleys, Victoria-era homes and the historic downtown area known as The Strand. Check out the Naval Museum, Railroad Museum, or Baywatch Dolphin Tour. Or heck -- just chill out at La King's Confectionery with ice cream parlor and candy shop dating back to the 1920s.

Still Not Enough? Add a Cruise!

If you'd like to extend your trip, there is an optional 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise via Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. More detail on the cruise below.

If we have enough people to form a viable band, we will explore the possibility of a performance aboard the cruise ship but there's no guarantee that additional performances will happen.

Tour #1 and Tour #2

There are two tours available for the Galveston Mardi Gras trip:

Tour #1 is a 4-night trip to Galveston, TX to perform in two Mardi Gras parades. It does NOT include the optional cruise add-on. Tour #1 departs PDX on February 26, 2025 and returns on March 2, 2025.

For Tour #1 you will need:

  • Galveston Land Package #1 OR make your own land arrangements.
  • Galveston Group Air #1 OR make your own air travel arrangements. Please note that Galveston Group Air #1 is available ONLY to those who reserve Galveston Land Package #1.

Tour #2 is a 4-night trip to Glaveston, TX to perform in two Mardi Gras parades (same as Tour #1) PLUS the optional 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Harmony of the Seas. Tour #2 departs PDX on February 26, 2025 and returns on March , 2025.

For Tour #2 you will need:

  • Galveston Land Package #2 OR make your own land arrangements;
  • Galveston Group Air #2 OR make your own air travel arrangements; Please note that Galveston Group Air #2 is available ONLY to those who reserve Galveston Land Package #2.
  • Cruise Cabin Selection for RCCL Western Caribbean Cruise.

Brief Tour Itinerary
Date What's Up?
February 26

Depart Portland for Houston-Hobby Airport

Private motor coach transfer from Houston-Hobby Airport to the Home2Suites by Hilton Galveston Beach. With normal traffic this takes 1-hour and with rush hour traffic can be at least 90-minutes.

Check-in with dinner on your own. Plenty of restaurants nearby.

February 27

A fun morning as we take in the historic sights of Galveston with a carriage ride of historic neighborhoods, plus private guided tour of the Moody Mansion. We will split our group into two motor coaches for these visits. Once we have completed our touring our motor coaches will transfer us back to our hotel. Those that wish to enjoy more of The Strand (downtown historic area) can return on their own via taxi or Uber.

The rest of this day is free for you to enjoy.

February 28

Free day to shop, beach time, or explore more of Galveston. We will need to depart by motor coach from our hotel by 545 pm as we march in the "Krewe Babalu Parade" @ 730 pm from downtown Galveston. Following the parade we return to our hotel and enjoy a TBGO band pizza party for everyone with sodas and ice cream.

March 1

Another free day to explore the area as we need to be ready for hotel transfer by 400 pm for the "Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade @ 600 pm. This will be the longer parade. We motor coach transfer back to our hotel from the end of the parade

March 2

Tour #1 participants will transfer to the Houston-Hobby Airport by 1100 am.

Tour #2 participants will transfer to the Galveston Pier by 1130 am for the 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise aboard the "Harmony of the Seas." Ship departs at 400 pm. Follow cruise itinerary March 2-9.

March 9
(Tour #2)

Arrive at the Port of Galveston at 700 am. Private motor coach transfer to the Houston-Hobby Airport.

Tour Options and Tour Package Restrictions

TBGO travel packages are offered as a streamlined way for Band Associates to participate in the band trips. The land and air packages are available separately. For example, you may reserve the Galveston Land Package and skip the air options if you prefer to make your own air arrangements. However, the Group Air packages are available ONLY with purchase of the corresponding Land Package.

The Galveston Land Packages are offered as "all or nothing"; i.e., we will not subset or otherwise modify the land portions of the package. Note that the planned sightseeing events will not be offered for sale and cannot be reserved separately.

As always, you may elect to forgo the packages and make your own travel arrangements. Please be aware that if you choose to make your own land arrangements you are responsible for your own ground transportation, including transportation to and from performances. (The signup survey includes options to purchase round-trip transportation between the band hotel and the parades at the same cost that is included in the Land Packages; see below for details.)

Non-performer family and guests are welcome to join the trip. Pricing for non-performers is the same as for TBGO band associates. However, non-performers are not eligible to receive discounts or subsidies for travel offered to band associates.

Tour Components

Details of each trip component follow. You can jump directly to a specific section by clicking the links below.

Hotel

Our hotel for this trip is:
Home2Suites by Hilton Galveston, Texas – 4 Nights with daily hot breakfast
4302 Seawall Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone (409) 667-9001

This hotel is relatively new (opened mid-2022). Rooms here are quite nice as they are a bit larger than most with a small kitchenette area with half-size refrigerator in the room, sink, microwave and dishes. There is a sitting area with sofa and pull curtain for those who wish a quiet area at night to chill. A nice breakfast each morning, plus there is a bar with drinks, sodas, etc. and small bites in the afternoon/night. The beach is literally across the street. Hotel has an outdoor pool, fitness center and business center.

Galveston Land Packages

Hot Off the Press (Nov 17): After working with our suppliers, Tom was able to get improved pricing for our ground transportation. Pricing for both Land Packages is now $100 LOWER!

The standard rooming arrangement for the Galveston Land Packages is a Double room (i.e., two persons in a room). Single supplement is available at additional charge. Triple and Quad rooms are available at a reduced rate. If you elect a Triple or Quad room, you MUST have a VERIFIED rooming list of all persons in the room prior to signup as per standard TBGO rooming policy.

The table below contains the pricing and deposit information by room type for Galveston Land Package #1 and Galveston Land Package #2. The contents of the packages are the same EXCEPT Galveston Land Package #2 also includes motor coach transportation to Galveston Pier to board the cruise ship.

ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

Galveston Land Package #1
Room Type Total Price Price
After EBD
1st Deposit
(At Signup)
2nd Deposit
(Dec 9)
Single (King) $1,588.00
$1,488.00
$1,288.00 $350.00 $250.00
Double (Queen/Queen) $1,135.00
$1,035.00
$835.00 $350.00 $250.00
Double (King) $1,112.00
$1,012.00
$812.00 $350.00 $250.00
Triple (Queen/Queen) $986.00
$886.00
$686.00 $350.00 $250.00
Quad (Queen/Queen) $886.00
$786.00
$586.00 $350.00 $250.00
Final Balance Due January 10

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Galveston Land Package #2
Room Type Total Price Price
After EBD
1st Deposit
(At Signup)
2nd Deposit
(Dec 9)
Single (King) $1,614.00
$1,514.00
$1,314.00 $350.00 $250.00
Double (Queen/Queen) $1,161.00
$1,061.00
$861.00 $350.00 $250.00
Double (King) $1,138.00
$1,038.00
$838.00 $350.00 $250.00
Triple (Queen/Queen) $1,012.00
$912.00
$712.00 $350.00 $250.00
Quad (Queen/Queen) $912.00
$812.00
$612.00 $350.00 $250.00
Final Balance Due January 10

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Optional Parade Transportation

As shown above right, motor coach transportation to and from our performance parades is included if you purchase one of the Land Packages. If you are making your own land arrangements, the signup survey will offer an option to purchase a seat aboard the band buses going to and from our parades at the same price that is baked into the Land Package pricing. Unfortunately, it's not inexpensive.

Our usual cost-saving measure is to use school buses for short-distance transport, but Galveston Island does not have any school buses for charter; the closest would have come deadhead from Houston and that gets expensive. So we are using regular over-the-highway motor coaches we would use on a long trip. Because it's Mardi Gras, our charter coaches have a 6 hour minimum, which again adds to the cost. Festivals aren't cheap (grin!).

Anyway, here's the pricing for optional parade transport. Again, this is already included if you purchase one of the Land Packages.

Optional Parade Transportation
for Those Making Own Land Arrangements
Date Parade Price
Feb 28 Babalu $48.00 $33.00 round-trip per person
Mar 1 Momus $44.00 $29.00 round-trip per person

Included in Galveston Land Package #1:

  • Home2Suites by Hilton Galveston, TX Seawall Blvd – 4 Nights with tax & full cooked breakfast for King or Queen/Queen rooms.
  • Private motor coach one-way transfer from Houston-Hobby Airport to your Galveston hotel,
  • Half-day sightseeing tour with carriage ride in historic district, plus guided tour of the Moody Mansion with round trip motor coach.
  • Private motor coach round trip transfer from hotel to The Strand downtown area for Feb 28 parade and return.
  • Private motor coach round trip transfer from hotel to parade staging area on Mar 1 and return.
  • Private motor coach one-way transfer from hotel to the Houston-Hobby Airport.
  • Applicable taxes & fees in force at time of confirmation. Changes, including per person city taxes, coach permit fees, etc., taking effect after confirmation may result in a supplement added to your final prices.
  • Tips for the driver, escort and local guides.

Included in Galveston Land Package #2:

  • Same features as Galveston Land Package #1 PLUS:
  • One-way private motor coach transfer from the hotel to Galveston Pier on Mar 2 .

Not Included in either Land Package:

  • Travel Protection, please inquire for details

ALL PAYMENTS ARE
NON-REFUNDABLE.

Galveston Group Air: Terms and Restrictions

We have blocked group air travel itineraries on Southwest Airlines that offer significant cost savings over airfares available to the general public. Each Southwest Airlines air group has (25) seats set aside to be filled on a first come first served basis. Southwest Airlines will not increase the fare for air transportation for these seats; however, it is possible a government-imposed tax or fee could raise the price. If this happens then Southwest reserves the right to collect that amount of increased government fees or taxes.

Once the space is filled Tom will request additional group seating (may not be the exact same flights). However, this does not mean it will be the exact same price as new group space will be subject to what is open and the band will be notified of new pricing.

Note that Southwest Airlines group airfares have more restrictions than public tariff airfares:

  • Should you need to cancel, the amount you paid is not transferrable or re-usable for another date within a year as travel is only good for these group dates/flights.
  • Should you not be able to travel on these flights, your ticket is transferrable to someone else for these same flights/dates 4-days prior to departure (at least 72 hours) prior to departure.
  • A non-refundable deposit of $52 per person is required at time of booking. Full group fare ($375 for Group Air #1, $549 for Group Air #2) due by January 6, 2025. ($52 deposit is not applied to balance owed at time of final payment, but will be refunded within 5-10 business days after final payment and ticketing.)
  • If you are a Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Mileage member and provide your Rewards number to Tom at time of deposit or final payment, you will receive reward points on a sliding based upon your existing status with the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards program.
  • Once ticketed you will then be responsible to reserve your own boarding positions. Early Bird Check-In and Express Bag Drop are not available for Group reservations.
  • These Southwest Airlines Group Airfares are only available for those reserving Galveston Land Tour # 1 or Galveston Land Tour # 2.
  • As these airfares are most restrictive for full cancellation, it is highly recommended you consider travel insurance.

Make Your Own Air Arrangements If You Prefer

If you prefer, you can choose to reserve a Land Package and make your own air travel arrangements. This allows you to use a preferred carrier; purchase tickets using mileage program miles; depart at a different time of day; search for other attractive pricing options, etc.

Please be aware that airport and hotel transfers described throughout the itineraries are based upon the Group Airfare flights. If you book your own air travel using other flight times and/or dates, you are responsible for providing your own transportation to and from the hotel.

Galveston Group Air #1

Travelers who book Galveston Group Air #1 (no cruise extension) will have these flights on Southwest Airlines:

Galveston Group Air #1
Date Flight From Depart To Arrive
Feb 26 Southwest 2013 Portland 810 am San Jose 955 am
Feb 26 Southwest 1553 San Jose 1155 am Houston-Hobby 530 pm
Mar 2 Southwest 1728 Houston-Hobby 545 pm Oakland 805 pm
Mar 2 Southwest 3873 Oakland 930 pm Portland 1115 pm
Round trip non-refundable airfare $375.00

Galveston Group Air #2

Travelers who book Galveston Group Air #2 (cruise extension) will have these flights on Southwest Airlines:

Galveston Group Air #2
Date Flight From Depart To Arrive
Feb 26 Southwest 2013 Portland 810 am San Jose 955 am
Feb 26 Southwest 1553 San Jose 1155 am Houston-Hobby 530 pm
Mar 9 Southwest 4363 Houston-Hobby 715 pm Las Vegas 840 pm
Mar 9 Southwest 3722 Las Vegas 1020 pm Portland 1240 am March 10
Round trip non-refundable airfare $549.00

Frequent Flyer Number

If you have a Southwest Airlines frequent flyer number, please provide it during signup (there will be a slot for it).

Optional Cruise Extension

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines – Harmony of the Seas.
Ship registry: Nassau, Bahamas.
Western Caribbean Cruise – 7 Nights.

Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis-class cruise ship built by STX France. She is the fourth largest passenger ship in the world. Harmony of the Seas is considered a mega ship, just like its sister ships with RCCL. This ship can carry 5,479 guests and is divided into seven neighborhoods, including Central Park and Boardwalk, like her Oasis-class sisters. Harmony of the Seas has a number of water-based attractions, including a large dry slide complex, known as The Ultimate Abyss, two surf simulators, and 3 water slides and 3 swimming pools. There's also mini golf, The Solarium, hot tubs and just so much more. She also has 2 dining venues, a 1400-seat theatre and 11,252 works of art. As you can tell, the ship with its size and all the fun activities and attractions is truly a destination in its own right.

Brief Cruise Overview
Date Where Arrive Depart Notes
March 2 Galveston   400 pm  
March 3 At Sea      
March 4 At Sea      
March 5 Roatan, Honduras 800 am 500 pm great swimming here, dolphins and wonderful snorkeling
March 6 Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico 800 am 500 pm shopping, Mayan ruins, beaches, lagoon boating, turtles, kayaking
March 7 Cozumel, Mexico 700 am 400 pm known for it's coral reefs, Paradise Beach Club, shopping and catamaran excursions
March 8 At Sea      
March 9 Galveston 700 am    

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Cabin Selection and Pricing

Four cabin classes are shown below. There are many more categories, but this will provide you with a good cross-section of good availability of cabin types. An "Other" selection will be available during signup if you would prefer another specific class.

3rd and 4th person in a cabin and Single cabins, just let Tom know and he will get the pricing for you. Just a helpful note here when it comes to 3 or 4 in a cabin, they can be hard to come by as many families want these kind of cabins, plus having 3 and definitely 4 in a cabin is not comfortable for adults. Keep in mind cruise ship cabins are much smaller than a hotel room.

Cruise fares are non-refundable, best to have travel insurance coverage.

Sample Cabin Classes and Pricing
(Including Port Tax and Gratuities)
Cabin Class Category Price Per Person (Double)
Inside (no window) Category 2V $1091.76
Outside Balcony (partial obstruction 50%) Category 4N $1208.31
Outside Balcony Category 4D $1805.76
Grand Suite Suites $4529.76
Deposit at time of booking is $250.00 per person.
Balance due by Dec 1.

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Additional Mardi Gras Parade Info

As noted earlier, there are over 20 parades taking place during the two week celebration. If you want to check out some of the other parades, here's some info you may find useful.

There is a gate fee for ages above 12 for attendees to enter the Mardi Gras in the downtown Stand entertainment area where the majority of parades, headline concerts, balcony parties and vendors, booths and other festivities are held. You can go online to Mardi Gras Galveston to learn about other parades and obtain tickets. Remember we are there for the 2nd weekend. A single day ticket usually runs about $15 and weekend 2-day for $26. Be sure to look at the parade you wish to see other than the two parades we perform in to see if you need a ticket or not as some day time parades may not require a ticket. For example the Feb 28 parade requires a ticket by 500 pm (we are in this parade so we won't need a ticket.) The March 1 parade ticket entry time begins at 1100 am. Again, we are in this night parade, but if you choose to go early to watch other parades that day you may need to purchase a ticket.

Passports - IMPORTANT

A VALID U.S. PASSPORT BOOK is required for travel to Honduras and Mexico. You may NOT use a U.S. Passport Card, birth certificate, or similar documentation -- a Passport is required. If you do not hold a passport or your passport is not up to date, you should acquire one or renew it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE to avoid issues later on. See the TBGO Passport Information page for detailed information on applying for a first passport or renewing an expiring passport.

Remember to KEEP YOUR PASSPORT WITH YOU WHEN YOU BOARD THE CRUISE -- DON'T PACK IT IN YOUR LUGGAGE!!!

IF YOU ARE USING A PASSPORT FROM A COUNTRY OTHER THAN THE U.S.A please let Tom know as soon as possible because you may have different visa requirements.

Early Booking Discount - DATE EXTENDED

An Early Booking Discount (EBD) of $200.00 is available to all TBGO band associates (musicians, auxiliary unit members, and support staff) who have performed regularly with the band. To be eligible for the EBD, you must sign up for the Galveston trip (with or without the cruise option) by 11:59 PM on November 29, 2024. The EBD will be applied at the time of your final trip payment.

The Early Booking Discount is not available to friends and family traveling with the band.

Deciding Whether to Book This Trip

It's important that you be in reasonably good health to handle the demands of this trip. You must be able to get on/off the motor coaches in reasonable fashion and there will be some walking. Those not in good health can cause delays each day on the tour and hold things up for the rest of the tour participants. Should you fall in this category you may need to strongly re-evaluate if a trip as such is for you. Alternatively, you may need to bring along someone with you (family or caregiver) to insure you have someone who can assist you each and every day to avoid becoming a burden to other travelers. Getting through airports is yet another area to consider since it entails getting through security and walking long distances to immigration and flight gates. Being aware of these expectations and your limitations, and then making thoughtful choices will ensure that we can provide a great experience for everyone.

Travel Insurance

TBGO travel packages (like travel packages everywhere) are non-refundable. To protect yourself in case of problems that prevent or interrupt your travel, you may wish to consider purchasing travel insurance.

Many people do not understand the value of travel insurance until certain things happen, such as having to cancel their trip due to illness, injury, or death to themselves or immediate family members. Travel insurance also protects you should you need to change travel plans because a family member develops health issues. Another reason for having travel coverage is that many countries around the world that have socialized medicine don't want to be stuck with medical costs you may have accrued and don't have the means to pay for it. Yet another reason is that Medicare does not cover you outside the USA, including traveling to Canada or Mexico or taking a cruise. Click here for a more in-depth explanation of the benefits of travel insurance, including plan options and example costs.

IMPORTANT: To be sure you are fully covered, especially for pre-existing reasons, you must purchase your travel insurance within 21 days of your travel deposit (best to do it at the time you are making your trip deposit so that way you know you have it handled). You will be offered an opportunity to purchase travel insurance when filling out the Survey Monkey sign-up for the trip.

Let's Go!!! Galveston Trip Signup

Use the link below to sign up for the Galveston trip. This is the Final Signup; it commits you to making the trip. ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE.

You will need to know the following:

  • Choice of Land Package (#1 or #2 or neither), along with what type of room (Single, Double, Triple, Quad). If you choose Triple or Quad be sure you have a verified rooming list per TBGO guidelines.
  • If you are NOT purchasing a Land Package, whether you wish to purchase motor coach transportation to and from our performance parades.
  • Whether you wish to purchase the corresponding Group Air or will make your own air travel arrangements.
  • If you are plan to purchase Group Air: Southwest Airlines frequent flyer number (if any).
  • Passport information if you are taking the cruise: Name EXACTLY as shown on Passport, Passport Number, Date of Birth. If you do not have a passport or your passport is not current, you may supply this information later on.
  • Payment Information - Credit Card info if you wish to pay by credit card, or you can contact Tom directly
  • Whether you want Trip Insurance

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE
GALVESTON TRIP

ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Krewe Babalu Parade

Steps off at 7:30 pm on Feb 28, 2025. Parade makes two loops through the Entertainment District on the route shown; each loop is approx. 0.8 miles for a total length of 1.6 miles.

Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade

Steps off at 6:00 pm on March 1, 2025. Parade starts at the Seawall, then travels down 25th St and through the Entertainment District. Total distance is approx. 2.2 miles.

Uniform for Galveston Parades

DRESS uniform: TBGO polo shirt, black pants/belt, black socks, black shoes. You may substitute appropriate Mardi Gras headgear for the TBGO hat. Purple flashing fedora is encouraged if you have one!

Jackets:   Chances are good that it'll be warm enough so that we won't need jackets; that's my hope since we look best in our uniform shirts. But if it's cool, first choice is a black turtleneck worn beneath the uniform shirt. If that's not enough, you may wear the TBGO lightweight jacket or any non-logo plain black jacket. With any of the above you can add a clear plastic raincoat if it's rainy (optional at your discretion).

Music for Galveston Parades

  1. Dancing in the Street

  2. Fireball

  3. Uptown Funk

  4. Venus


Krewe Babalu Parade


Knights of Momus Parade

Portland Mardi Gras Parade - Tue March 4, 2025

INFORMATION BASED ON PRIOR YEARS AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS WE RECEIVE UPDATES.

Hosted by the Mysti Krewe of Nimbus and billed as "The Last Mardi Gras Parade on the Planet", this is Portland's own Mardi Gras parade. Our eighth appearance at this event.

Meet:   At 6:00 PM along N Humboldt St near Kerby Ave (see staging map). (map and directions) Parade steps off at 7 PM.

Uniform:   DRESS uniform: TBGO polo shirt, black pants/belt, black socks, black shoes. You may substitute appropriate Mardi Gras headgear for the TBGO hat. Purple flashing fedora is encouraged if you have one! Weather may be cool and/or rainy, so you may add the TBGO letterman jacket if you have one. If you don't have a letterman jacket, best look is to add a black turtleneck beneath the uniform shirt for additional warmth and you'll match great. Alternatively, you can wear the TBGO lightweight jacket or any non-logo plain black jacket; we want to keep everyone comfortable. With any of the above you can add a clear plastic raincoat (optional at your discretion).

Loaner Jackets:   We have a few loaner TBGO letterman jackets available for $5 per event. If you want to rent one for this event, contact Janet Tolopka (janet AT tbgo.org) as soon as possible. YOU MUST PICK UP JACKETS IN ADVANCE; WE CANNOT BRING THEM TO THE PARADE ROUTE.

Additional garb and decorations:   This is a NIGHT parade, so memorize or make sure you have a light source for your music. Thermal underwear, hand warmers, foot warmers, and similar accouterments may be quite useful if the weather is cold. If it looks rainy, you may want to consider bringing a clear plastic raincoat. If you choose to wear gloves or ear covering during the parade please wear black. (Any color is fine for stuff you wear only before the parade.) This is a Mardi Gras parade, so you are encouraged to add appropriate decorations in purple, gold, and green. Horn decorating and are encouraged! If you have fairy lights and/or the lighted wristbands from previous parades, here's a great chance to use them again. You may substitute appropriate Mardi Gras headgear for the TBGO hat. Purple flashing fedora is encouraged if you have one!

Parade Tunes:

  1. Dancing in the Street
  2. Fireball
  3. Uptown Funk
  4. Venus

Parking:   Drop-off for large equipment is available at Neil Kelly, but MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMEONE WATCHING ANY GEAR YOU DROP OFF. Because of limited parking in the staging area, the organizers suggest parking along the adjacent streets along the parade route.

You can also park near the parade end make your way to the staging area. In addition to on-street parking, the organizers have obtained permission for parade participants to park at Boise Eliot Elementary School, 620 N Fremont (map and directions), a block or two from the end of the parade route. Carpooling is encouraged since the lot size is modest. Enter the lot from N Fremont St; see map below. We have access to both parking areas, not just the small lot. You may wish to park here and walk to the staging area or arrange a shuttle to the parade start point. If you arrive early enough, a #4 TriMet bus is scheduled to run every 15 minutes from the vicinity of the school to the staging area (see map). The bus runs west on Fremont then turns north on Mississippi; get off at the Alberta St stop. Be sure to check TriMet schedules since the bus may stop running early because of the parade.

Bathrooms: Portapotties are available in the Neil Kelly parking lot and at parade end.

Food: There are plenty of food opportunities on and near the parade route and staging area. Stay healthy, be mindful of your choices.

Parade Route: Parade heads south on Albina Ave and then Mississippi Ave to end at N Fremont St. Parade is approx 0.8 miles long and ends by around 8 PM.

After-Party:   FYI, Ecliptic Brewing (where the parade ended in previous years) has closed. Other bars and restaurants will probably be open post-parade to continue the fun. Stay healthy, be mindful of your choices.

Long-Term Travel Plans

Major Road Trips

The Board talks with members informally to get travel ideas, and there's no shortage of fun things to do. We've built a long-term travel plan using these criteria:

  • Take account of the "recurring themes" we hear when talking to band associates about travel opportunities.
  • Target events with "cool factor". If we only get to do one a year, it oughta count!
  • Emphasize trips that center around existing events with large, enthusiastic crowds. It's more fun to play for lots of people, and it's a lot easier to draw a crowd when someone else has already done all the work.
  • Have a reasonable belief that it's a trip/event we can successfully execute.
  • Target locations that are likely to have broad appeal to members as "destinations" - there should be fun, exciting touristy things we can do while we are in the area.
  • Try to keep major events 9-15 months apart.
  • Work to keep each trip affordable to the best of our ability.
  • "Start spreading the news" - work on bringing the band to each major area of the country (and beyond).
  • In general, avoid duplicating major trips that we've done previously - we ain't gettin' any younger and there are LOTS of places to go!
  • Look beyond one year to put a multi-year plan in place. We think that a roadmap makes it easier for both the band staff and band associates to plan ahead, and it can also act as a recruiting tool.

Regional Trips and Mini-Trips

Besides our annual "big road trip", we make a conscious effort to broaden our reach in regional events. This will certainly include day trips, but we'd also love to add one or two "mini-trips" each year if the band can support it. In general, we'd try to space mini-trips so that they don't fall right on top of a major trip (i.e., we'll try to create "breathing room" between trips as much as we can.) A mini-trip would typically be closer to home, include a 1-2 night hotel stay, and have lower cost. Examples of mini-trips that we've done include the Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth (WA), Wenatchee Appleblossom Festival, Pendleton Round-Up, Medford Pear Blossom Festival, White Rock (BC) Sea Festival, and Rogers Santa Claus Parade (Vancouver, BC).

Active Travel Plan

In March 2023 the TBGO Board unveiled a new multi-year travel plan at a Zoom meeting, including both regional and major national/international trips through 2028. Here are several options for viewing the plan.

Click the cover slide at right for a video of the Zoom meeting presentation (runs 45:27).
Click the cover slide at right to download a self-running slide show with details of the plan and its trips. It may take a bit for the presentation to download since it's large (114 MB). Launch after it downloads and you can then advance through it using mouse, space bar, enter key, arrow keys, etc.
Click the cover slide at right for a PDF of the presentation. It loses the lovely animations and transitions, but you get all the text.
Click the grid at right for a one-page PDF summary of the plan.

 

Useful Contact Information

Tom Higham Contact Info

Many of you have worked with Tom Higham, who handles TBGO's overnight travel (and personal travel for many of us).

Mailing Address:

Tom Higham
dba Travel by Tom Higham
9580 SW 146th Terrace, Suite #1
Beaverton, OR 97007

www.travelbytomhigham.com

Cell:   (503) 484-8842
Fax:

(503) 336-0868

EMail:

tom-higham@comcast.net

travel@thebeatgoesonmb.org