Family Continues Float Tradition
January 30, 2018
Parade Schedule
January 30, 2018
Carnival Time is here!
The local Mardi Gras parade schedule started over the weekend with a couple parades in the Houma-Thibodaux area.
Of course, the schedule revs up even more the next two weekends before the climax of it all on Mardi Gras Day.
Locals have turned out in droves to the early-season parades and retailers say that Mardi Gras sales are up, which shows what many already knew: Louisianans have Mardi Gras fever.
“We are excited,” said Houma native Kris Rodgers. “My wife and I go to all of the parades. We like to catch and safe. We give our beads to our friends who ride. It’s just a good time. It’s one of those things you just can’t see anywhere else.”
There are some changes to note about local Carnival this year – mostly in northern Lafourche.
In Thibodaux, some parade routes are different and Thibodaux Police Chief Bryan Zeringue wants to make sure that locals are caught up with the transitions so that they can have the optimal parade viewing experience.
Each Thibodaux parade once traveled down Jackson Street, but will now turn at the first intersection at Jackson Street and Canal Boulevard before turning onto Gerald T. Peltier.
Pedestrians will be allowed to gather on the median of Canal, but no vehicles will be allowed to park there.
Like in years past, no vendors will be allowed on city streets or right of ways.
To see complete parade route maps, visit our additional Mardi Gras coverage, which features maps and information about royalty for almost all of the local parades.
In Terrebonne and in south Lafourche, routes are expected to be the same as normal for the entire parade schedule.
Those who attend parades are, as always, urged to exercise caution with any use of alcohol, seeking a designated driver before parade day to ensure safety.
VENDORS SAY LOCALS HAVE MARDI GRAS FEVER
Those in the business of carnival say this year’s Mardi Gras is going to be a hit.
The Times spoke to several vendors this week and they said that sales are going well for parade-related items, which shows that there is legitimate excitement among folks planning to ride.
At Hi-5, store owner James Cabirac said he and his team have approximately doubled their Mardi Gras sales in 2018, compared to in 2017.
Cabirac said he didn’t feel comfortable saying that the upturn was directly related to the recent uptick in the local economy, but was more due to he and his staff dedicating more time and energy toward promoting that the store had Mardi Gras items.
The Times spoke to two other Mardi Gras shops who said their sales are up in 2018, as well. Employees at those stores asked not to be named, because they were not sure if their bosses consented to their speaking with media. Both stores were in Houma.
“We have pretty much all of the things that people will throw besides for the beads themselves,” Cabirac said. “We have a lot of the toys and different things that you’ll see. Both of our stores have done well, but Houma has done significantly better than Cut Off with our Mardi Gras sales.”
Cabirac said several items have been top sellers this year, but the biggest hits are anything flashy or that lights up.
Sales have done so well that the store owner said he is pondering shifting his coverage from seasonal to year-round, considering a “Louisiana-themed” aisle, which would feature Carnival items year-round.
Having such a section would like do well, because those involved in the parades say that Mardi Gras is becoming a year-round affair.
Houma native Renee Adams said she is trying to ride in the future, but knows that she has to stock up early to make that wish a reality.
Adams said she has several friends and neighbors in parades and they’ve been collecting items since last summer to get themselves ready for the parades.
“They’ve searched Facebook. They’ve been on eBay. They tried Amazon and went to New Orleans,” Adams said. “Almost the big fun of it all is the chase – trying to get everything situation and ready.” •
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