A variety of parades, a gumbo cook-off, live music, dancing and costumed royalty are just some of the Mardi Gras events to enjoy in Lake Charles over the next several days.

For those wanting to avoid the events, street parking will be blocked off on Ryan Street, between Mill and Kirby streets, starting at 8 a.m. Friday until the end of the Krewe of Krewes parade Tuesday.

Barricades will be placed at the on-street parking areas. Traffic barricades will be closed at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday along the parade route.

Here is a list of the events through Mardi Gras.

Today, Friday

The Lighted Boat Parade is set for 7 p.m. today at the Lake Charles Civic Center, 900 Lakeshore Drive.

The Merchant’s Parade will be at 7 p.m. Friday in downtown Lake Charles and will feature floats by local business owners and social organizations.

The route begins at the Civic Center, heads south on Ryan Street and ends at the intersection of Ryan Street and Sale Road.

Saturday

More than 60 teams will compete in the World Famous Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off, starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Civic Center Exhibition Hall. Gumbo can be sampled after the judging, which will run 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Awards will be given for chicken and sausage, seafood and wild game gumbos. Teams will compete in amateur and professional divisions. Admission is $5 per person and free for children under 5.

The Krewe of Omega Parade will be at 2 p.m. The krewe has been active for nearly 50 years and is the only one that has its own parade. The route begins on the north side of the Civic Center to Broad Street, heads east to Enterprise Boulevard, then turns onto Mill Street and returns to the Civic Center.

The Krewe of Barkus Parade will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center. Dogs will be showcased in various costumes, and the best costume will receive the Mystical Dog award.

A zydeco dance takes place 3-5 p.m. at the Civic Center amphitheater.

The fourth annual Dough-Nation fundraiser will be 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Botsky’s Premium Hotdogs, 104 W. Pujo St. Money raised helps the Leadership Center for Youth, a division of Family and Youth. King cakes will be sold for $25 each.

Sunday

The Mardi Gras Zydeco Dance will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Civic Center second-floor mezzanine. The free event will feature live zydeco bands and will take place during the Taste de la Louisiane event.

The Mardi Gras Children’s Day will be noon-3 p.m. at the Civic Center. The family-friendly event gives children the chance to use hands-on exhibits for performing arts, technology and science, along with arts and crafts. Children can also learn about Mardi Gras traditions and history and can take a photo with a costume display sponsored by the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu.

The Children’s Parade is 3:30 p.m., with the route

starting at Bord du Lac Drive, crossing over to Lakeshore Drive onto West Mill Street, then turning onto Ryan Street, heading south to Sale Road.

The Mardi Gras Madness 5k is 2:30 p.m. at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and Gill Street. Once the race ends, runners will be treated to boudin, King cake, live music and beverages. Entry fees for the race are $25 per person.

Monday

The first Lundi Gras Day Party is 4-7 p.m. at Blue Martini inside Golden Nugget Casino, 2550 Golden Nugget Blvd. The event, hosted by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, will feature entertainment from the New Natives Brass Band and DJ TySki, along with unique live art by artist Heather Boston. Mardi Gras cocktail attire and masks are required. Tickets are $75.

The Mardi Gras Royal Gala begins at 7 p.m. at the Civic Center coliseum and features royalty from more than 60 krewes dressed up in lavish costumes. Advance tickets are $6 and are available at Gordon’s Drug Store, Party Time Store, Medearis’ Costumes, The Mardi Gras Lady and the Civic Center box office. Door tickets are $7, and admission is free for children 5 and under.

Tuesday

The Second Line Stroll begins at 1 p.m. at Mill Street, then heads south on Ryan Street to Sallier Street. The walking parade features area organizations in costume dancing to tune of Mardi Gras songs. One hour before the parade, Ryan Street, between Mill and Sallier streets, will be closed until after the Krewe of Krewes Parade.

Jeeps on Parade begins at 2 p.m. and will feature jeeps rolling down downtown Ryan Street. Seven Slots Society is helping organize the event. The route is the same as the Second Line Stroll.

The Sister City Street Party is 2 p.m. at Luna Bar and Grill. Live music will continue after the Krewe of Krewes parade.

The Motor Gras Parade is 3 p.m. in the downtown district and will feature classic cars, hot rods and motorcycles. The route begins at Mill Street and heads south on Ryan Street to Sale Road.

The final Mardi Gras event, the Krewe of Krewes Parade, begins at 5 p.m. and will feature more than 100 decorated krewe floats. The parade route will begin at the north end of Bord du Lac Drive, then will cross over Lakeshore Drive onto West Mill Street. It will then turn onto Ryan Street and continue south to Sale Road. Bord du Lac Drive will be closed to all traffic during the parades.

Traffic info                       

Certain areas along Ryan Street south of Sallier Street will be reduced to one lane on Tuesday in both directions roughly one hour before the parades, until around 2:30 p.m. The road will stay closed until after the last parade ends.

Businesses along the parade route will be open and accessible throughout the day approximately 30 minutes before a parade.

The city asks street vendors to get the proper occupational permits to serve the public from the Occupational Licenses Office. Vendors are prohibited along the parade route from the Civic Center to Clarence Street.

Vendors located north of 18th Street to Clarence Street must move from the parade route once the parade begins. Those positioned south of 18th Street to Sale Road must move away from the parade route 30 minutes after the parade begins.

During the parades, property owners along the parade route on Ryan Street must place the trash receptacles provided by the city within the public right of way. City solid waste employees will remove them the next day.

Portable toilets will be at the Civic Center and Lock Park.

Once the last parade ends, Ryan Street between Mill Street and Sale Road will be closed for two hours to give public works crews time to remove barricades and clean up the roadways.

 

Online: swlamardigras.com

This year’s Children’s Parade will roll at 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Feb. 11

Kirk Meche

A past participant in the Mystical Krewe of Barkus Parade. The 2018 event will roll at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10

Rick Hickman