In a recent interview, Jay Carnes revealed that he is struggling with an addiction that he finds difficult to overcome. There are parades happening. For over three decades, Carnes, the proprietor of Carnes Funeral Home in Texas City, has been an active participant in Mardi Gras parades. His name has become closely associated with these iconic elements of the pre-Lenten celebration.
For a funeral director, engaging in an unusual hobby may seem out of the ordinary, considering their profession’s solemn nature. Carnes admitted to struggling with a highly addictive behavior. “In a surprising turn of events, it seems that a small amount of something can indeed be good, but an increased quantity is believed to be even better.”
In 2004, Galveston ISD initiated the chain of events by auctioning off a school bus. According to Carnes, he purchased it for $300. Carnes stated that he had set up all the sound and lights, and he attended Mardi Gras. The speaker referred to their creation as the Dancing Queen, which turned out to be quite popular.
In the past, parade floats lacked sound systems. Carnes, who has a background in the DJ industry, installed a sound system in his bus and played lively, well-known songs, such as “Dancing Queen” by Abba, a popular Swedish pop group.
Over the course of two decades, Carnes has seen his fleet of parade vehicles expand. His passion for these vehicles has even inspired others, leading to the creation of the “Carnes Parade Krewe.” This dedicated group now operates a total of eight floats, which are a combination of modified trucks and buses.
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According to Carnes, the krewe takes part in approximately 70 parades annually, with Mardi Gras being the highlight of their calendar. Carnes expressed his delight. “When we traverse the streets, we accompany our journey with uplifting music. The sight of people bouncing, singing, and dancing along with us brings immense joy.”
As Mardi Gras parades take place, individuals aboard floats enthusiastically toss beads into the crowd, upholding the cherished tradition of the celebration. The krewe and floats are set to take part in approximately 20 Mardi Gras parades. They are making sure they have enough beads to distribute, especially for the upcoming Galveston parades starting in early February, according to Carnes.
Carnes stated that he goes through approximately 1,000 bags of beads every year. “With approximately 365 strands of beads in each bag, one can’t help but ponder the ultimate destination of all that plastic.” According to Carnes, funeral homes typically do not sponsor parade floats. However, floats serve as effective platforms for advertising.
“I recall that a father of a soldier who passed away in Iraq noticed our floats and expressed gratitude for our support of the community, so they decided to utilize the funeral home,” Carnes recounted. “It has brought to our attention that the majority of individuals in the community value and acknowledge our contributions.”
