Mardi Gras revelers take over Galveston

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- Mardi Gras may fall on Fat Tuesday this year, but the celebration is already in full swing in Galveston.

This weekend's festivities are just the beginning as more than 300,000 people are expected at the 105th annual event.

This will be the first year in which Texas's open carry gun law is in effect, and Galveston Police say they will be checking licenses.

This year, festival goers will enjoy 22 parades and lots of entertainment.

More than 30 concerts featuring bands like Collective Soul and Cory Morrow will also be staged during the celebration.

Parades are free on the Seawall, but if you want to hang out in the entertainment district, it'll cost you $18 a day.

According to one partygoer, "What happens in Mardi Gras stays in Mardi Gras."

We're not yet sure we want to know what that means.