After two weeks of parades,Mardi Gras 2023 comes to a conclusion today as half a dozen krewesh*t the streets in Terrebonne and Lafourche.
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's a schedule: Gheens, 11 a.m., Gheens; Neptune, noon, Golden Meadow; Houmas, 1 p.m., followed by Kajuns, Houma; Ghana, 1 p.m., Thibodaux; Choupic, 1 p.m., Choupic; Bonne Terre, 4:30 p.m., Montegut.
Where will paradesroll?
West Houma route: Starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.
Thibodaux route for Ghana: Starts on Iris Street at MLK Park. Turns left on Rock Street and right onto St. Charles Street. It heads left on Menard Street, right on Canal Boulevard, left onto second street and merges into La. 1. It rolls left onto Jackson Street then U-turns at Canal Boulevard. The parade turns right onto Gerald T. Peltier Drive, ending at MLK Park.
Party with the Krewe of Houmas
For a second year, the Krewe of Houmas will roll its 19 floats down Barrow Street for a public Extravaganaza this evening in the Barry Bonvillain Civic Center.
The parade will end with a toast to this year's King Houmas, Tony Herques. The party includes a performance by the Atlanta-based band Party on the Moon, playing rock, R&B and country hits.
Tickets, $75 apiece for adults only at tiny.cc/Houmas2023 or eventbrite.com, also include an open buffet and bar.
What's the weather forecast?
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79 degrees. Southwest wind 10-15 mph. No rain in the forecast.
Track the parades
Click:Houma Parade Tracker
Click:Thibodaux Parade Tracker
Mardi Gras history
Sometimes called the “the greatest free show on Earth,” Terrebonne and Lafourchecombined boast the nation's biggest Carnival celebration outside Greater New Orleans. Some 30 local parades usually roll starting two weekends leading to Fat Tuesday.
The local tradition has roots well into the 1800s, when masked balls were common. Parades are mentioned in Houma and Thibodaux newspapers before the 1920s. In 1946, a group of Houma men planned the first parade of the Krewe of Houmas, which rolled on Fat Tuesday 1947. In the years since, a succession of krewes joined the celebration.
In 1955, the Krewe of Chronos of Thibodaux launched its first modern parade with a nod to that city's very firstparade, reportedly in 1914, though that date has not been firmly established.
More:Here's how Mardi Gras got started in Houma and Thibodaux
More:Where did Mardi Gras start in the U.S.? New Orleans and Mobile both take credit
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.
Plan your fun:Here's a 2023 Mardi Gras parade schedule for Houma, Thibodaux and surrounding areas
King cakes are here:8 spots in Terrebonne and Lafourche to get a taste of Mardi Gras
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 andMain 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.
Want beads?
To fill up your grocery bags withthrows:
- Bring a small,preferably cutekid to the parade.Krewe memberslove to throw awesome toys, sparklybeads and loads ofcandy to children.If you do not bringa child, stand as faraway as possiblefrom anyone withchildren. You willcatch nothing.
- Make creativesigns or targets,buckets and hoopsso riders noticeyou — and takeaim. When all elsefails, shout thetrusted phrase “Throw me something mister.”
- Wear somethingridiculous. A purplewig, ugly sunglasses, costumes— anything that gets younoticed.
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.
—Courier and Daily Comet Executive Editor Keith Magill can be reached at 857-2201 or keith.magill@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @CourierEditor.
