Lake Charles Mardi Gras festivities begin Friday

Published 2:25 pm Thursday, February 16, 2023

Bord du Lac Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic during all parades.

Signs are posted, identifying “no parking” areas.

An unoccupied vehicle in violation may be removed or impounded and the owner and/or operator subject to a citation and fines. Street parking will not be allowed on Ryan Street, between Pryce and Clarence Streets, from 8 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, through Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the conclusion of the Krewe of Krewes Parade.

The on-street parking areas will be barricaded.

Events Saturday include the Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-Off at the Lake Charles Civic Center Amphitheater from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Children’s Mardi Gras Stroll, 11 a.m. start. Walking parade specifically for children ages 3-12. Children are encouraged to decorate their Mardi Gras umbrellas and prepare to show off their Mardi Gras spirit. Registration and line-up will begin at 10:15 a.m. at Lake Charles-Boston’s Cougar Stadium Parking Lot (1175 1st Ave.) and will depart the staging area at 11 a.m. There is no fee to enter.

Young revelers will parade down 1st Avenue, strutting to the tunes of the Second Line Stroll. Participants will parade approximately four blocks from 4th Avenue to 8th Avenue, before returning back to the staging area.

Live parade marching beats will be provided by several local high school marching bands and the community is invited to come out and see the show.

This is a walking parade only, with no throws, and for the safety of all of our participants, no motorized vehicles, bikes, strollers, skateboards or pets are allowed.

Krewe of Barkus Parade, 1-1:30 p.m. starting at the corner of Ryan and Broad and ending at Cumulus Broadcasting, 425 Broad Street. For more information contact Cumulus Broadcasting.

Krewe of Omega Parade, 2 p.m. starting on Northside of Civic Center to Broad Street heading east to Enterprise Blvd., left on Enterprise to Mill Street, left on Mill Street back to Civic Center.