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First Mardi Gras parade set to roll
Preparation will be the key for parade-goers this year, as the two big Mardi Gras parades begin and end in Shreveport.
Unlike previous years where the parades spanned both Shreveport and Bossier City, this year’s parades start at 4:30 p.m. at Clyde Fant Parkway and Lake Street downtown. The first one is this Saturday. The second is on Feb. 9.
The parade will proceed in the southbound lanes on Clyde Fant, crossing under the Shreveport-Barksdale bridge. The route will then turn right onto Shreveport Barksdale Highway and then left on East Kings Highway. It ends at Reily Lane.
Residents can make the event more enjoyable by making a game plan for the parade before they leave home. They should know where they can and can’t park, where they can and can’t drink alcohol and what roads they will be able to access to get to the parade route.
The city has placed this information on its web site at www.ci.shreveport.la.us. They just need to click on the Mardi Gras icon at the bottom of the screen and look for the dancing gators.
Here are some things residents need to know:
Parking:
* Parking on East Kings Highway is reserved parking for permit holders only. However, handicapped parking is available in Shreveport at East Kings Highway Park, also known as the Duck Pond.
* NO parking is allowed before 7 a.m. on parade day.
* On Shreveport-Barksdale and Clyde Fant Parkway, park behind the white lines only. Citizens cannot park where areas are clearly roped off and marked.
* No parking is allowed on Captain Shreve.
* No parking is allowed on the residential streets from Anniston to Patton. Parking will be allowed on both sides of Ockley. This is very important, since it’s different from last year. The streets must remain clear for emergency vehicles.
* Handicap parking is at the duck pond and at the Veteran’s Memorial lot on Clyde Fant. Residents must have a handicap parking tag or plate to gain access.
Street Closures:
* At 8 a.m., Crockett Street from Commerce to Clyde Fant will close, and Clyde Fant from Milam to Lake Street will be closed. Residents can gain access to Sci-Port until 3:30 p.m.
* At 3:30 p.m. the following streets will close:
East Kings at Preston
East Kings at Youree
Shreveport-Barksdale (including the Shreveport-Barksdale bridge).
East Preston and 70th Street. No traffic will be allowed on Clyde
Fant after 3:30 p.m.
Preston will be closed to through traffic where it intersects with
East Kings Highway, Captain Shreve, Knight Street &ClydeFant.
Emergency assistance and command:
* More than 200 law enforcement officers from local agencies that include Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office and Wade Correctional Center will be working the parade. Officers will be in patrol cars, on foot, on bicycles, on horses and on motorcycles.
* Shreveport’s Command Center will be located in the old Holmes car lot on Shreveport-Barksdale. All city departments, as well as krewes, will be represented there.
* Shreveport Police will have command busses at both Stoner Park and in Shreve City.
* Shreveport Fire Department will have EMS crews stationed throughout the parade route.
No Throw Areas:
* The railroad underpass just north of Veteran’s Memorial.
* Stoner Avenue bridge.
* The turn from Clyde Fant onto Shreveport-Barksdale.
* The turn from Shreveport-Barksdale onto East Kings.
* Past the ending banner on Kings and anytime thereafter.
Parade rules:
* No alcohol will be allowed on Clyde Fant from the railroad trestle just north of Memorial Park to Stoner Avenue. This area has been designated the Alcohol-Free Family Zone.
* No glass bottles or containers will be allowed on the parade route.
* No one may cross parade barricades during the parade.
* No animals will be allowed within 200 yards of the parade route, unless the animals are in secured yards of residents living along the parade route.
* Dangerous objects and "silly string" in pressurized containers is prohibited.
* No one may throw something at a parade float.
* Flags or banners will not be allowed within 50 feet of the parade route on the day of the parade.
* As always, police will not tolerate any underage drinking or possession of alcohol.
* No public nudity or exposure will be tolerated.
* No float drivers may drink any alcohol or throw beads. They will be required to take an intoxilyzer test.
* All floats in the parade must have skirts or have escorts walking alongside the floats.
Safety Tips:
* Don’t leave children unattended. Make plans to meet up at a particular location in case children are separated from guardians during the parade.
* Do not fight or struggle over beads. Thousands of beads are thrown, so be polite and respectful for others trying to catch them.
* Keep a safe distance from the floats.
* Keep valuables at home, and make sure cars are securely locked.
* Don’t take purses or wallets to parades. Keep money and other items in front pants pocket.
* Clean up after yourself. City workers will clean the parade route, but doing your part will help a lot.