Mardi Gras is a season all about revelry, excess, and snatching as many bedazzled high-heels, coconuts, captain’s hats, shrimp boots, and grails from mid-air as one’s arms can carry.
But just because king cake abounds and parade floats are on full display doesn’t mean you can afford to forsake safety.
It’s the biggest free party in the world, after all. And with that comes many safety concerns.
Below are a few things to be aware of this Mardi Gras, including what you can and can not bring to set up camp along parade routes and where you can find first aid and nursing stations.
SEAR-1 Clearance
Following the Bourbon Street terror attack, Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced she had worked it out to secure a SEAR-1 Clearance for Mardi Gras from the federal government.
The elevated clearance means heightened security. So don't be surprised to see bomb-sniffing dogs, security drones and helicopters, security checkpoints in heavily trafficked areas, and bag searches for items larger than 4.5” x 6.5”.
During the busiest times, you’ll also see heightened security personnel from the National Guard, armored vehicles, and potential traffic closures on main roads.
Here’s what you can’t bring to the party
Maybe in previous years, there was a more lax approach to prohibited items. Not this year... trust us. Before you set up know that there are strict bans on these items. Here's the official list as per the City of New Orleans:
- Ladders taller than 6 feet
- Gas/diesel generators
- Unattended coolers
- Open flames (Including BBQ grills)
- Portable toilets
- Scaffolding
- Upholstered furniture like sofas and lounges
- Confetti cannons
- Enclosures of all kinds used to enclose a public area: tents, canopies, shelters, screens, awnings, ropes, spray paint, and any other type of barricade
Related
Also, keep in mind that the French Quarter Enhanced Security Zone (FQESZ) will also have heightened restrictions, including:
- No backpack coolers or ice chests
- All bags larger than 4.5” x 6.5” will be searched before entering FQESZ
- Starting Feb 28th, they'll tow all non-emergency vehicles parked in FQESZ
- Anyone who refuses searches before entering FQESZ will be denied entry
No set up earlier than four hours before parades start
No one can place items along the parade routes and neutral ground prior to four hours before the parade starts. If you do this, expect your items to be removed by the city.
As per the City of New Orleans, "Ladders must be free-standing and may not be fastened together, and must be placed at least six feet back from the curb along with all chairs and other personal effects."
First aid and nursing station locations
Metairie Route:
- Bonnabel and Veterans (Feb 21-23, 27, Mar 3-4)
- Severn and Veterans (Feb 21-23, 27, Mar 3-4)
- Veterans and Causeway viewing stands (Feb 21-23, 27, Mar 3-4)
- Houma Blvd and Veterans (Feb 21-23, 27, Mar 3-4)
- Melody Dr and Veterans (Mardi Gras Day only)
- Cleary and Veterans (Mardi Gras Day only)
- Martin Behrman and Veterans (Mardi Gras Day only)
Kenner Route: (March 1st only)
Chateau Dr and W. Esplanade
Loyola Dr and W. Esplanade
Loyola Dr and Vintage
Vintage and Chateau Dr
Westbank Route (Feb 24-26)
- Lapalco and Westwood Dr
- First Aid Command Center Ames Blvd and Lapalco
- Ames Blvd and August Ave
- Ames Blvd and Westbank Expy
- Westbank Expy and Barataria
Uptown Route (Feb 21-23, Feb 26-Mar 4)
- Louisiana and St Charles
- St Andrew and St Charles
- The Circle at Howard Ave
- Canal St and St Charles
(Nursing Nest locations at every first aid station along this route)
Mid-City Route (Endymion only)
- N. Hennessey and Orleans
- Norman C. Francis and Canal
- The Circle at Howard Ave
- S. Galvez and Canal
(Nursing Nest locations at every first aid station along this route)
General Safety Tips
Secure all valuables...
There are instances of pickpocketing every year at Mardi Gras. The best way to avoid this is to use secure, cross-body bags or fanny packs. Also, avoid carrying large amounts of cash, expensive jewelry, and as few valuable items as possible. Basically, anything you want to keep, do your best to leave it securely at home.
Keep your kids away from the French Quarter
Mardi Gras is very much a family-friendly event, but not the French Quarter. The French Quarter doesn’t only feature more risqué behavior, it’s also just much more chaotic. It’s painfully crowded, it’s extremely noisy, it’s easy to get lost, and it’s not a place to bring a kid…Oh yeah, this goes for everyone, don’t touch the police horses.
Stand back when bands are coming through
We get that you might want to elbow your way through the front to grab throws. Although you still need to make room for the floats, when you see a band coming—stand back! Not only is this a wise and socially considerate action to take, but if you don’t make space the band chaperones will yell at you to stand back and make you feel like a fool... And rightfully so.