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Lake Charles 2019 Mardi Gras: Full Schedule, Parades, Parking & Road Closures

Experience the vibrant energy of Mardi Gras in Lake Charles! The festivities peak on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, a city holiday featuring parades and events throughout the weekend. Here's your authoritative guide to all scheduled activities.

2019 Mardi Gras Schedule

Event names link to details and routes where available.

Thursday, February 28

  • Lighted Boat Parade
    7:00 PM
    Civic Center Seawall
  • CANCELED: City of Sulphur Mardi Gras Parade
    6:00 PM (canceled)
    Cypress Street

Friday, March 1

  • Merchants Parade
    7:00 PM
    Ryan Street Route

Saturday, March 2

  • Gumbo Cook-off
    8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    Civic Center Exhibition Hall
  • Krewe of Omega Parade
    2:00 PM
  • Krewe of Barkus Parade
    2:00 PM
    Gill Street (Civic Center Grounds)

Sunday, March 3

  • Taste de la Louisiane
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    Civic Center Contraband Room
  • Zydeco Dance
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
    Civic Center Mezzanine
  • Children's Day
    Noon - 3:00 PM
    Civic Center Exhibition Hall
  • Mardi Gras Madness 5K
    2:30 PM
    Start: Gill St. and Ryan St. → End: Sale Rd.
  • Children's Parade
    3:30 PM
    Ryan Street Route

Monday, March 4

  • Royal Gala
    7:00 PM
    Civic Center Coliseum

Tuesday, March 5

  • Iowa Chicken Run
    10:00 AM
    KC Hall
  • Second Line Stroll Walking Parade
    1:00 PM
    Ryan Street
  • Jeeps on Parade
    2:00 PM
    Ryan Street
  • Motor Gras Parade
    3:00 PM
    Ryan Street
  • Krewe of Krewes Parade
    5:00 PM
    Ryan Street

Key Details: Routes, Parking & Traffic

The Second Line Stroll and Jeeps on Parade start at Pine Street, heading south on Ryan Street to Sallier Street. Motor Gras Parade follows the same route to Sale Road. Bord du Lac Drive will be closed to vehicles during parades.

Parking Regulations

Ordinance 16489 bans street parking along parade routes and special event areas. "No parking" signs will be posted; violators risk towing, citations, and fines. No on-street parking on Ryan Street (Mill to Kirby) from 8:00 AM Friday, March 1, through Tuesday's Krewe of Krewes Parade conclusion. Areas will be barricaded.

Traffic & Road Closures

Public Works sets up barricades along the parade route starting ~5:00 AM Tuesday. Ryan Street south of Sallier will be one lane each way until ~1 hour before parades, fully closing until after Krewe of Krewes (~2:30 PM reopening). Businesses stay open with access until ~30 minutes pre-parade.

Expect heavy pedestrian and slow vehicle traffic on Ryan Street. Law enforcement will manage crowds and traffic. Post-parade, Ryan Street (Pine to Sale) closes temporarily (~2 hours) for cleanup.

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