City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

Activities for Mardi Gras 2012

• Motorcycles, Classics and Hot Rods Parade - 1 p.m.
• Krewe of Krewes Parade - 5:30 p.m.
• Due to construction near the corner of Broad and Ryan, the Sister City Celebration this year will only consist of parade viewing.    

The Krewe of Krewes Parade will begin at the Lake Charles Civic Center, travel north on Lakeshore Dr., east on Mill St., and south on Ryan St. to Sale Rd. 

In conjunction with the Mardi Gras 2012 parade route, street parking will not be allowed in the 600 and 700 blocks of Ryan St. beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday, February 17 through Tuesday, February 21 and the conclusion of the Krewe of Krewes Parade.   The on street parking areas will be barricaded. 

City Public Works crews will place traffic barricades along the parade route Tuesday morning beginning at 7 a.m.  Traffic along Ryan St. will be restricted to one lane each way until around 4:30 p.m. when the road will be closed.

Due to the Ryan Streetscape construction on Ryan St., the neutral ground on the east and west side of Ryan St. between Broad and Pujo will be designated as a "No Throw" zone  A chain link fence will surround this work zone area during Mardi Gras.

All lanes will be open on Ryan St. in the Ryan St. at Prien Lake Rd. intersection reconstruction project area by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 17 and remain open through Tuesday, February 21.   DOTD has indicated that work may occur on Monday, February 20, but that it will not interfere with the parades.  The intersection reconstruction project area will be designated a "No Throw" zone. 

Motorists should expect long lines of slow moving traffic and heavy pedestrian traffic along Ryan St.

Businesses will remain open and access to their locations will be available throughout the day and up to 30 minutes before a parade.                                             

Local law enforcement agencies will be on hand to control traffic and crowd issues and to assist parade goers

On February 1, the Lake Charles City Council passed a resolution declaring Lock Park a "Family Friendly Zone" during the 2012 Mardi Gras parade activities.  The resolution prohibits the possession, consumption or sale of alcoholic beverages within Lock Park and also prohibits parking within the grounds of the park during this year's Mardi Gras parades.  "We want to reassure everyone that Lock Park, as well as all the other parks within our City, will continue to provide a family friendly atmosphere during Mardi Gras festivities," said John Cardone, City Administrator.  "We encourage families to visit the parks during Mardi Gras and have an enjoyable and memorable time."

Street vendors must have the proper occupational permits to serve the public, which must be obtained from the Occupational Licenses Office.  Vendors will not be allowed along the parade route from the Civic Center to Clarence.  Law enforcement agencies will check for appropriate permits.  Vendors must relocate off the parade route once the parade begins.

Cardboard trash receptacles with plastic liners, for property owners along the parade route, are available for pickup from the security guard on the first floor of City Hall, 326 Pujo St.  The trash receptacles should be placed within the public right of way along the Ryan St. route during the Mardi Gras parades.  City solid waste will remove the receptacles the following day.

Port-a-Cans will be placed at the Civic Center and at Lock Park.

Immediately following the Krewe of Krewes Parade, Ryan St., between Mill St. and Sale Rd., will be temporarily closed to all traffic so that City Public Works crews can remove barricades, pick up litter and sweep the streets.  Law enforcement officers will divert traffic from this section of Ryan St., which is expected to remain closed for approximately two hours after the parade.                

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The City of Lake Charles fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.   For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see the City of Lake Charles website- www.cityoflakecharles.com  or call the Mayor's Action Line at (337) 491-1346, or contact the appropriate Department Head, or call the Title VI coordinator at (337) 491-1440.