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Mardi Gras in the French Quarter Mardi Gras has always been in the French Quarter, but over the decades, it has changed a bit. Years ago parades starting on St. Charles Avenue would wind their way to Canal Street, then, after a distance on Canal Street, would double back and head into the French Quarter, by way of Royal Street. The parade would exit the French Quarter on Orleans Street. Some years ago, for fire and safety considerations, parades were no longer allowed the practice of moving through the French Quarter. It doesn't require a parade to bring vehicular traffic to a dead stop - the sea of humanity is quite enough to impede emergency vehicles. Bourbon Street has, for as long as I can remember, been blocked off and turned into a pedestrian mall on Mardi Gras Day. With the growing popularity of Mardi Gras since the 1950's, and the increased numbers of people wanting to celebrate in the French Quarter, the City had to institute tighter controls. From the Friday night before Mardi Gras, until the end of Mardi Gras Day, the French Quarter is closed to vehicular traffic, with only a few exceptions. On that Friday evening, barricades are placed at all streets leading into the French Quarter (all French Quarter streets are one-way). The police officer will allow vehicles to pass if you are a resident, hotel guest, have a permit, and can show that you have made off street parking arrangements. If you will be a guest of friends, family or hotel, and will be making parking arrangements, you may obtain a vehicle pass from the New Orleans Police Department, at the 8th District station on Royal Street. On street parking will be prohibited for about half of the French Quarter (see maps) during this time, and vehicles will be towed. Even vehicles legally parked on French Quarter streets are subject to damage and vandalism from crowds of people celebrating a little too much. How do you get around? Shoe leather. Wear comfortable shoes. In the French Quarter, a car is useless all year long. Bicycles are commonplace during normal times, but do little good if crowds are too thick to permit walking. The same goes for skates and skateboards.  Where is all of the action? Well, as you might guess, it will be on Bourbon Street, from Canal Street to St. Phillip Street, along Royal and Charters Street from Canal Street to St. Ann Street, and along Decatur Street from Canal Street to the French Market (and all intersecting streets. It is one big party, and while drinking on the street is permitted, drinking from glass containers has long been prohibited. Also, don't drink so much as to loose control - the police have a low tolerance for fighting. What about flashing and nudity? In recent years, there has been the widespread belief "that anything goes at Mardi Gras". It simply isn't true. Yes, there is occasional nudity and flashing, but many of these individuals spend the rest of Mardi Gras in jail. The police are out in force, and their numbers are supplemented by a detachment of State Police, and undercover officers. What about public restrooms? There isn't much in the way of public rest rooms, and you will have to patronize a business, or take your chances with portable facilities, where you can find them. If you opt for an alley or doorway, remember that the jails have such facilities, and if you are caught, a police officer will make them available to you. These cautions aside, you will find in the French Quarter the greatest concentration of happy partygoers, and unusual, weird and outrageous costumes that exist anywhere in the world. There is plenty to see, plenty to eat, and plenty to drink. If you are not breaking any laws, you can have a really great time, without fear of the police, who enjoy Mardi Gras just as much as anyone else. Have a great time, and be safe. Lagniappe
Copyright © 1999-2009, Stanley Beck |
