Padre Island Celebrates Mardi Gras with Louisiana Flair

Louisiana natives bring Bourbon Street spirit to the Texas coast

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Louisiana natives living on Padre Island are keeping Mardi Gras traditions alive with a more laid-back approach to Fat Tuesday celebrations. Locals Linda and Larry Garrett, who have attended over 40 Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, are celebrating the holiday by visiting Perrins on the Water, a restaurant co-owned by New Orleans natives Ryan and Michelle Perrin that brings authentic Cajun flavors to the Texas coast.

Why it matters

Mardi Gras celebrations on Padre Island allow Louisiana transplants to preserve their cultural traditions and share the festive spirit with the local community. The event also highlights the growing influence of New Orleans cuisine and culture in the region as more Louisianans make their home on the Texas coast.

The details

Linda Garrett, a Louisiana native now living on Padre Island, says the celebration is less about partying and more about preserving tradition. She dons her traditional Mardi Gras outfit each year, adding a bow to her festive hat. Her husband Larry has become known as the "Gorilla man" during their Bourbon Street celebrations in New Orleans. This year, the Garretts visited Perrins on the Water, a restaurant co-owned by Ryan and Michelle Perrin, both New Orleans natives who wanted to bring a piece of home to the Texas coast.

  • Mardi Gras is celebrated annually on the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar.
  • Barefoot Mardi Gras will be held on February 28, 2026 on Padre Island.

The players

Linda Garrett

A Louisiana native now living on Padre Island who celebrates Mardi Gras by wearing her traditional outfit and preserving the traditions she grew up with.

Larry Garrett

Linda Garrett's husband, who has become known as the "Gorilla man" during their Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans.

Ryan Perrin

Co-owner of Perrins on the Water, a restaurant on Padre Island that brings authentic Cajun flavors to the Texas coast.

Michelle Perrin

Co-owner of Perrins on the Water, along with her husband Ryan, who are both New Orleans natives.

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What they’re saying

“We all need a little fun in our lives. You know we just need some, we need to experience.”

— Linda Garrett (kristv.com)

“I really enjoyed it, especially with the little kids more so than adults. Because they are pure love.”

— Larry Garrett (kristv.com)

“When we moved back here, we just missed a piece of home that wasn't here.”

— Ryan Perrin, Co-owner, Perrins on the Water (kristv.com)

“For generations people have always gathered around food and we wanted to bring that back.”

— Ryan Perrin, Co-owner, Perrins on the Water (kristv.com)

What’s next

Barefoot Mardi Gras will be held on February 28, 2026 on Padre Island, offering another opportunity for Louisiana natives and the local community to celebrate the Mardi Gras tradition.

The takeaway

The Mardi Gras celebrations on Padre Island demonstrate how cultural traditions can be preserved and shared even when transplanted to a new location. The event brings a taste of Louisiana to the Texas coast, fostering a sense of community and allowing Louisiana natives to maintain their cultural identity.