Knights of Momus leaders Mike Doherty and Kenneth Shelton to be honored with George Mitchell Mardi Gras Award

Galveston, TX, (November 6, 2025) — Mardi Gras! Galveston is delighted to announce the distinguished recipients of the prestigious George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award: Mike Doherty and Kenneth Shelton. These two lifelong residents of Galveston Island will be honored at an awards ceremony on Friday, February 21, 5:30 PM, as part of the kick-off to Mardi Gras festivities.

 

Event Highlights:

5:00 PM: Party Gras! Procession

5:30 PM: George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Presentation

7:00 PM: George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Honoree Parade

 

“Mike and Kenneth have always been enthusiastic supporters of Galveston, serving on business and civic boards that have also helped others grow our island,” said Mike Dean, Mardi Gras! Galveston organizer. “They participated in the early creation of Mardi Gras! Galveston over forty years ago and have played key roles in its continuation and successful growth.”

Mike Doherty, a lifetime Galvestonian, has been active in Mardi Gras! Galveston since its revival in 1984. He was one of the seven founders of the Krewe of the Knights of Momus in 1985 and has served ever since as a Board member and Executive Committee member, serving as chairman in rotation.  He was Board President in 1990 and has held a number of positions with the Krewe over the years, including being crowned King Frivolous LXXXIX in 2004.

“Dancie Ware and Weez Doherty, a native New Orleanian, began discussions on New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations and traveled to New Orleans where Weez’s dad, who was involved in New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewes, suggested they visit with legendary float builder, Blaine Kearn establishing the first float relationship for Momus,” said Doherty.

When discussions began with the Mitchells, who encouraged restarting the Island’s oldest Mardi Gras Krewe, the 1871 Knights of Momus, Mike Doherty was one of the seven founders. A special moment for the Dohertys was when their daughter, Rebekah Lee, was Queen in 1999 and their son, Mick, will present his daughter, Abby Doherty, as a Duchess in 2025.

“I am proud of my involvement in the reorganization of Momus in 1985 which continues the amazing work the Mitchell’s and Dancie Ware did to revive Mardi Gras on the Island.  With all the other krewes what a difference it has made in Galveston!  No longer does Galveston have a sleepy February winter,” added Doherty.

Ken Shelton, a 6^th generation BOI, thought of rekindling the city of Galveston’s celebration of Mardi Gras for years, reminiscent of the one he recalled when his mother, Frances Moore Shelton, was queen in 1940. He felt it was important for the spirit of the city. Galveston began its organized celebrations in 1867, and soon organizations like the Knights of Momus were formed to further the event. Ken wanted to revive this city-wide celebration, and in the early 1980s, he hosted a street dance on a block along The Strand with a coterie of friends, family, and like-minded Mardi Gras supporters. He organized a trolley parade complete with bead throwing and a dinner dance in a historic building in downtown Galveston.

When the Mitchells planned the opening of The Tremont House with a masked ball and a multi-float grand night parade, Ken joined Mike Doherty, Jim Ware, Doug McLeod, V.J. Tramonte, John H. Spencer, Bill Cherry and Dancie Ware to orchestrate a revival of the Krewe of the Knights of Momus Mardi Gras. Ken was elected the first President of the revived Krewe of Momus and was honored with the title of King Frivolous LXX in 1985. Ken’s wife, Julie Towler Shelton, was also intimately involved in contributing a special creative dimension, as were most of his family in that and later generations. Today, still insisting on fine champagne, Ken Shelton lives by the saying “Laissez les bon temps rouler.”

“Mardi Gras is in Galveston’s DNA, and, after the first event that we did in ’82, it took off on its own with people of all kinds wanting to help and participate. It is that broad swath of participants that make Mardi Gras work.  Walking home after the Momus parade one senses the excitement in the air and the fellowship and convivial sharing that is evident in all the parties that take place throughout the city. It is similar to the giving and sharing that one sees here during a hurricane or the recovery from one.” said Shelton.

Join us in celebrating the remarkable achievements of Mike Doherty and Kenneth Shelton at the George P. Mitchell Mardi Gras Award Presentation on Friday, February 21, 5:30 PM. The event promises to be a highlight of this year’s Mardi Gras! Galveston celebration, with a Party Gras! Procession, the award presentation, and an Honoree Parade. For further details and event updates, please visit www.mardigrasgalveston.com.