Keith Magill|The Courier
A second weekend of Mardi Gras parades kicks off tonight, with more than a dozen scheduled roll in Terrebonne and Lafourchethrough Fat Tuesday.
Here are some tips and information, including a complete schedule, to helpensure you have a safe and enjoyable time at the parades.
Who's rolling?
Here are the remaining parades:
Today:Aphrodite, 6 p.m., Houma.
Saturday:Apollo, noon, Lockport; Mardi Gras, 6:30 p.m., east Houma.
Sunday:Terreanians, 12:30 p.m.,Houma;Cleophas, 12:30 p.m., Thibodaux; Chronos, follows Cleophas, Thibodaux; Montegut Children's Parade, 2 p.m., Montegut.
Monday:Cleopatra, 6 p.m., Houma.
Fat Tuesday:Bonne Terre, 11 a.m., Montegut; Gheens, 11 a.m., Gheens; Houmas, 1 p.m., Houma; Kajuns, follows Houmas, Houma; Krewe of Choupic, 1 p.m., Chackbay.
Several parades, however, won't roll, including most from Terrebonne and Lafourche's bayou communities, mainly because of damage from Hurricane Ida.A group of Golden Meadow residents, tohelp fill the void,formed an impromptu parade of homemade floats, tractors and golf carts.The Krewe des Couyonswill roll atnoon Tuesday along the town's traditional parade route: along La. 1 fromaround Armand Street and south to Kelly Drive.
Where will paradesroll?
West Houma route: Starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns left onto Hollywood Road, right onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.
East Houma route: The Krewe of Mardi Gras is the only parade in east Houma.It starts at 6:30 p.m. on Grand Caillou Road at Woodlawn Ranch Road, near Grand Caillou Middle School. It turns right onto Tunnel Boulevard and Howard Avenue, left onto East Main Street and left onto Grand Caillou Road,ending at the East Houma Bingo Hall.
Thibodaux route: Begins atAudubon Avenue andAfton Street on the Nicholls State University campus. Turns left onto Menard Street, right onto Canal Boulevard andleft onto West Second Street. Moves onto La.1 to Jackson Street beforemerging into Canal Boulevard. Makes aU-turn at the first intersection, heading back down Canal. Turns right onto Gerald T. Peltier Drive,left onto Bayou Lane, right onto Menard Street and turning right on Audubon Avenue to finish at Nicholls.
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Track the parades
Use The Courier and Daily Comet's Parade Trackers to follow the floats' progress atbit.ly/HoumaParadeTrackerandbit.ly/ThibodauxParadeTracker.
What's the weather forecast?
The National Weather Service forecasts no rain during any of the parades. Low temperatures at night will range from the mid-40s to 50 degrees, with highs between 67 and 70.
Compete in a costume contest
Houma's Krewe of Tradition encourages residents to join itsannual costume contest. The groupwill assemble at1:30 p.m. Sundayin front of Root2Rise,605 Barrow St.It will leave about half an hour later for a stroll throughHouma’s historic district, endingnear Main Street and Central Avenue.
There, the costume contest will begin about 2:30 p.m.Last year's royal court will selectwinners, including the new king, queen,duke, maid and page. Winners are also selected for those who costume as a group.
Anyone can participate in the foot parade,contest or both. Just wear a costume.
Stay safe
Among tips from local police:
- Stay alert and beready to duck orcover your heador shield your kids.Overenthusiastic float riders sometimes throw trinkets harder thanintended.
- Leave large purses and bags andexpensive jewelryat home.
- Carry ID, creditcards and cash infront pockets.
- Watch your children. Before theparade, discussthe importance ofstaying close to you.In case children do get lost,make sure eachknows parents’ fullnames, address and phone number; tell them tolook for police; andmake careful notesof what they’rewearing so you canoffer a detailed description to police.
- Don't run intothe street or past barricades afterfloats or throws.
- Lock your vehicledoors when parking.
- Use a designateddriver if you will bedrinking.
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Pick the right spot
Best spots inHouma:To catch a parade twice or gethome early, stakeout a spot alongPark Avenue nearSouthland Mall,the starting pointfor west-Houmaparades.
Family friendly areas: Near Southland Mall and theintersections ofColumbus and
Main streets.
Best spots in Thibodaux:To catch a paradetwice or get to asecond parade:Audubon Avenuealong the NichollsState Universitycampus.
Family-friendly:Neighborhoods alongMenard Street,Audubon Avenue andJacksonStreet.
Take the right stuff
Things to pack:Snacks and drinks,maybe a sandwich. Unless youwant to stand fortwo or three hours, bring a foldingchair. Dress for theweather; wear sunscreen andsunglasses to the day parades. Bringabag tocollect throws.
Leave at home:Pets, glass bottles,firecrackers, sillystring and othersimilar gags are illegal at parades.
What to dowith unwanted beads andtrinkets after the parade
Donate to local organizations suchas The Haven,Terrebonne andLafourche ARCandGoodwill andSalvation Armythrift stores. TARChas a wagon behind most Houmaparades to collectbeads for recycling.
Got unwanted Mardi Gras beads?: These groups in Houma, Thibodaux will put them to good use
—Courier and Daily Comet Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith.magill@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.
