The Krewe of Gambrinus, is a not-for-profit organization, chartered for the support of tourism and underprivileged children in Galveston, Harris, and surrounding counties.

For Mardi Gras 2010, the Krewe of Gambrinus recognizes the 100^th Anniversary of Del Papa Distributing, and salutes the Del Papa Family and Larry Del Papa, President of the Company. Larry founded the Krewe in 1989 with Budweiser's support, and served as Captain for eight years.

In tribute to Larry and the Del Papa's, our theme for 2010 is "Cheers to our Buds, The Del Papa's"

In 1910 Omero Del Papa, Sr. and his father-in-law, Frank Celli, started a wholesale company called Celli & Del Papa, a business enterprise that would ultimately become today's Del Papa Distributing Company. As the company grew, Del Papa's sons began to enter the family business.

Anheuser-Busch selected Del Papa as a wholesale distributor of its products in 1930. Just three years later, after the repeal of Prohibition, Anheuser-Busch beers were added to the distributorship's product line and the company entered a new relationship with the St. Louis-based brewery that continues to endure after more than six decades.

In the 1950s the company's remarkable growth was marked by expansion. In 1956, during Omero Del Papa, Jr.'s term as president of the business, a Beaumont, Texas distributorship was opened, followed later by distributorships in Victoria, Texas; West Columbia, Texas; El Campo, Texas; Yoakum Texas; and more. These historical events and acquisitions have resulted in the state-of-the-art operation in 17 counties across the Texas Gulf Coast that Del Papa Distributing serves today, directed by Larry Del Papa, the founder's grandson.

Mardi Gras - Galveston Style - Mardi Gras, the traditional festival of feasting and merry-making precedes the season of Lent, observed by Roman Catholics as the historical period of fasting and penitence. Mardi Gras is a French term meaning "Fat Tuesday" a term which arose from the custom of parading a fat ox through the streets on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent. Revelers eat, drink, carouse, and make merry during Mardi Gras, attempting to satiate the desires of the flesh prior to the abstinence observed during the Lenten Season. Mardi Gras is celebrated in many communities around the world-most notably in New Orleans and Rio De Janeiro.

The first recorded Mardi Gras in Galveston was celebrated in 1867. By, 1871, two rival Krewes had emerged: The Knights of Momus and The Knights of Myth; both of which had devised torchlight night parades, masked balls, exquisite costumes, and elaborate invitations. World War II brought about the demise of lavish parades in Galveston due to the shortages of men and materials, however, celebrations continued on in a more private nature. For nearly 40 years Mardi Gras in Galveston remained somewhat dormant until 1985 when native Galvestonian, George P. Mitchell, and his wife Cynthia, revived the citywide celebrations with a spectacular mile-long Grand Parade Night. This night featured nine dazzling floats and hundreds of musicians to the delight of 75,000 spectators.

Since 1985, Mardi Gras has grown dramatically in size and scope. During the two weeks of festivities, 600,000 revelers will enjoy sporting events, masked balls, street-side entertainment and parades hosted by 16 different Krewes.