A colorful word that is spelled out in fabric.

BLOWING AND GOING | Galveston welcomes ‘boring’ March 


By Forest Riggs 

After two weeks of festive partying and rocking to the rhythm of Mardi Gras, Galveston Island is taking a break. Over three million beads were tossed during the 23 parades that traversed the people-lined streets of the east end and downtown. With the passing of Fat Tuesday came the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday, and St. Valentine’s Day. It was easy for some to “give up†alcohol for Lent, as two weeks of heavy drinking and merrymaking took its toll on revelers.  

After Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, and Mardi Gras, March pretty much pales in comparison. March is sort of like the doldrums at sea, things slow down and the trade winds stop blowing. On the Island, things do slow down in March, however, the wind does not stop. In fact, intensifies and brings the chill of an early Spring.  

“March is the month of expectations.†–Emily Dickinson 

Believe it or not, March is fairly interesting month with several major events happening. The name for the month comes from ancient Rome and was originally martius mensis, and was named for Mars, the Roman God of War. In some literature and poems, March is often referred to as the Month of War. In Roman times, battles and wars halted with the onset of winter and resumed in March, which was the first month of the new year.   

Like the other eleven months of the year, March is known for several things. Daylight Savings Time occurs on the twelfth of the month, and we lose an hour of sleep. The earth is shifting on its axis and days start to get longer. Of course, everyone knows and enjoys the 17th — St. Patrick’s Day. Wear the green, eat, drink, and be merry. This is a fun time in Galveston. Most of the bars and clubs will have a celebration including drink specials, green beer, and, of course, corned beef and cabbage with all the trimmings. (In truth, corned beef was not the original meat prepared and served in ol’ Ireland. Ham was the preferred meat, usually boiled. Once in America, the Irish immigrants substituted a cheaper cut of meat, the brisket. Boiled with spices, it became the Irish food tradition on St. Paddy’s Day, served with cabbage and other veggies.) 

The full moon that occurs during March is called the Worm Moon and is so-called due to the fact that after winter, worms seem to appear again and are more readily seen along the ground. 

It was during March when ancient Romans celebrated the new year, made sacrifices to gods, and paid their debts. The Ides of March (March 13th or 15th depending on the full moon) was not a good day for Julius Caesar. In 44 BC, a group led by Cassius Longinus and Marcus Brutus assassinated Caesar during a meeting of the Roman Senate. “Et tu, Brute?†Since that time, folks have often used the phrase, “Beware the Ides of March.â€Â 

Speaking of madness, for sports enthusiasts, March Madness takes place and brings 68 college basketball teams to compete for the best. This is the annual NCAA College Basketball Championship, which is a huge draw to the bars and clubs around the Island. Galvestonians love sports bars and those with multiple big-screen TVs.  

The birthstones for March are aquamarine and bloodstone. The flower is the daffodil, which symbolizes new birth and growth. Zodiac signs include Pisces (the fish) from February 19 through March 20 and Aries (the ram) from March 21 through April 19.  

So even though it is considered a slow month, there are a lot of special things about the month. One does not have to look very hard to find some fun March activities being celebrated in Galveston.  

Recently, while sitting in Lucky Lounge, I asked five friends, “What comes to mind when you think of March?†Their responses came as no surprise: Spring Break, boys, wind, March Madness, and St. Patrick’s Day. I guess that just about sums it up! 

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com, and ForestRiggs.com. 

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