This year it’s different, organizers say. It’s more than merely a big party.

Mardi Gras, a quarter-century old in Port Arthur, comes as a welcome respite from fighting the wearisome effects of Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey. This year’s celebration is a big relief; as a community, Greater Port Arthur has reached this calendar milestone together. That itself is worth acknowledging.

Starting on Thursday, if only for a long weekend, Greater Port Arthur people can leave behind the lingering issues of flood insurance and FEMA aid. They can watch parades from the seawall, and forget about drywall.

Laura Childress of Mardi Gras Southeast Texas says not everyone is back for this year’s celebration. Some vendors took a year off. Some lost their vending units.

Some supporters had to forgo Mardi Gras 2018. Their homes demand attention; that’s got to take first priority.

But lots of people have returned to plan Mardi Gras, fund Mardi Gras, volunteer for Mardi Gras or just plain play. All of those functions are important to making a celebratory event worthwhile.

“Initially we had to ask ourselves, would our city be ready?” Childress said in an interview with the Port Arthur News. “Would we have services … water, sewer, public safety?”

Assured that the city would be prepared, Mardi Gras organizers moved forward. They found that not everyone would return, at least for this year, but their hearts remained with the organization and its work. They found a surprising number of supporters were willing to pony up support. They found that other people not only wanted Mardi Gras, they needed it. Now.

Those who aren’t here in body will be here in spirit, Childress suggested. “The changes are not a result of Mardi Gras itself,” Childress said. “They are strictly storm related.”

So here it comes, with the Festival Area opening at 5 p.m. Thursday and Longneck Road and Boogie Kings taking the stage at 6 and 8 p.m., respectively.

Here come the parades, starting with the Golf Cart and ATV parade and Valero Krewe of Krewes Parade, at 7 p.m. Friday.

Events and attractions continue Friday from 6-midnight, last through the longest day, Saturday, when the Festival Area will be open from noon to 1 a.m. and into Sunday, noon to 8 p.m.

Attractions include a Kidzone, arts and crafts, mechanical bull, and “state fair quality rides.” Beat that.

There will be activities and street entertainment, food vendors and souvenirs.

It may not be the biggest Mardi Gras, but it may be the most important — the year when Mardi Gras lifted this community by its lapels and said, “Be happy.”

We can do that.

Throw us something, Mister; we’ve caught everything else thrown our way!