A man with many colorful beads on his head.

RESOLVE, BUT RELAX | Galveston welcomes 2024 with early Mardi Gras 


By Forest Riggs

With Christmas just days behind, December 31 at midnight was quite the celebration. From one end of the island to the other, church bells rang, fireworks exploded in the dark night sky, horns blew and an occasional series of gunshot blasts were heard coming from sparsely populated areas. New Year’s Eve is always a fun time to “get a little crazy†and Galvestonians do this very well.  

Inside the gaily decorated Victorian houses, champagne corks popped, streamers and noisemakers mingled with laughter and sweet kisses were exchanged as the clock hands struck midnight. Some watched the ball drop on television as other gathered in bars and clubs to ring in the new year. It is fair to say that 2024 was heartily welcomed and with a bang. Likely, several bangs. 

With the passing of 2023, it is time for new beginnings, a blank canvas and new resolutions. The past year was not so bad, however there is always room for improvement.  

Traditionally NYE is a time for making wishes and setting goals (resolutions). The trick to keeping the resolution is to make one that is impossible. Many folks plan to stop drinking or eating sugar or even to join a gym and make some life or health changes. It is sometimes difficult to keep the resolutions but with some perseverance and desire, it can be done.  

The new year is an excellent time to make positive changes. Clear out the old and bring in the new. This can be in the form of getting rid of negativity, volunteering or making a pledge to help others and make a difference. These things are easier to make happen than maybe the stopping of eating candy or smoking and drinking too much. It is all about personal choice and deciding what is best for you in the new year. We really only get one fresh start a year, so make it a good one. 

It seems that we just cleared Thanksgiving and Christmas off the plate, then New Years and coming quickly around the corner is Mardi Gras. Yes, Mardi Gras 2024 is very early this year, beginning on February 2 and running through Fat Tuesday, February 13. This year, Lent and Valentines Day fall on the same day. Wonder what most folks will be “giving up?â€Â 

Mardi Gras on the island is the “high holy†of seasons and festivities celebrated annually in Galveston. This is the time when parties and parades dominate everyone’s schedule — residents and visitors alike. If you have never experienced a Galveston Mardi Gras, you just might want to start planning now. It is crowded, it is fun and it is a must on many bucket lists. 

So, back to 2024 and the new year. What is to be expected.? I always look at numerology to reveal what the new year might hold. The Universal Year Number for 2024 is 8. This is a very powerful year number and will bring about many changes. The “8†year is the year of Karmic debt repayments, both good and bad. It is a year to set things straight and to receive a well-deserved boost in confidence. It is a year to prosper financially, to expand, take chances and enable strengths.  

All things considered (numerically), 2024 should be a very good and productive year for everyone. Combine the number 8 year predictions and your own personal resolutions for the new year, and you should have a splendid and Happy New Year.  

Make the best of it.  

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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