The Lafayette Police Department is working on the final preparations for the 2014 Mardi Gras parade season to help ensure everyone has a safe Mardi Gras.

The first parade for Lafayette will happen this Saturday night, February 22, at 6:30 p.m.

Lafayette Police says they will close all streets on and around the parade route one hour before the parade begins.

While the first parade is not until Saturday evening, the Lafayette Consolidated will start putting out the parade barricades along the route this Thursday, February 20.  They will be in place until after the parade on Saturday.  After that, the barricades will be put back in place on Thursday, February 27.

The same procedure will also happen for these other parade dates:

  • Friday, February 28, 2014, at 6:30 pm
  • Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm
  • Monday, March 3, 2014, at 6:00 pm

On Mardi Gras Day, Tuesday, March 4 there will be three parades that will be scheduled at 10:00am, 1:00pm and 2:00pm.  All streets in and around the parade route will be closed until the completion of the final parade of the day.

The intersection of University Ave and Johnston St, along with the intersection of St. Mary Blvd and Johnston St. will remain open as crossover intersections until the parade is only several blocks from the location.  The intersection of South College Road and Johnston Street will be restricted to travel south on College Road and west on Johnston Street during all parades.

Mardi Gras Parade Route, Lafayette Government
Mardi Gras Parade Route, Lafayette Government
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The parade route will be the traditional one again this year. Parades will start at Pontiac Point, where Jefferson, Surrey and Simcoe Streets meet, and end at Cajun Field except for the children’s parade.

The Children’s Parade, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 12:30 pm.  This parade begins at Lafayette Street and West Vermilion Street and ends at Cajun Field.

For people who live on the parade route, if there is an issue, and you need assitance, you can contact the Lafayette Police Department at (337)291-8630.

There will several command posts for the Lafayette Police Department along the parade route:

  • Fire Station #1 at Vermilion Street and Lee Street
  • Fire Station #5 at Johnston St. and St. Julien Street
  • Lafayette Police Command Bus at Johnston St and S. College Road
  • The 911 Bus will be located at Cajun Field (Not for the 2/22/14 Parade)

Police remind residents that you should remind your children that if they become separated from you, they should go to any police officer along the parade route, or they can go to one of the command posts for help. Parents are also asked to secure a note inside the child's clothes with their name, address and the telephone number of someone to contact in case they are separated.  Police ask that the number be of someone who will be home, not with the parent or child.

Anyone needing medical help should know that Acadian Ambulance Service will have ambulance units stationed along the parade route. Anyone needing help can ask a police officer or go to a command center to get help.

Police say no parking will be allowed on the streets or sidewalks along the parade routes.

Handicap Viewing can be found at:

  • The 500 block of Jefferson Boulevard (Between South Orange and South Sterling Streets)
  • Vermilion and Lee Street
  • St. Julien and Johnston Street, in front of the command post.

There are also many things and items that are not allowed at the parades or along the parade route:

  • Any product that is manufactured for the purpose of being thrown against a hard surface or stepped on to make a popping noise: such as, snaps, pops, and cracker balls
  • Silly string
  • Animals
  • Roller blading
  • Whips
  • Glass containers
  • No flashing (exposing oneself)
  • No throwing items back at float riders
  • Entering the barricaded areas during the parades is not allowed and strictly enforced

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