Mardi Gras Celebration Safety

Mardi gras will be here in under a week. While many celebrations will be happening all across the USA, no one can deny that the biggest celebration of the holiday can be found in New Orleans. Every year, an estimated 1 million or more people flood into the city for the “biggest free party on earth”. If you are heading to New Orleans for the first time, you need to be prepared to deal with the large crowds.

The best thing you can do is know the rules and read up on safety tips so that you can enjoy the celebration safely. There are crowd control measures in place but with so many people, you have to be vigilant. We’ve compiled some tips regarding crowds for you below.

~ Keep personal effect such as coolers, blankets, ladders, etc at least six feet away from the curve while watching the parades.

~ Do not take up more space than you need. There are many people there to enjoy the festivities. Blocking traffic and other people from claiming a spot is unfair and unsafe.

~ Arrive early. It is generally recommended you arrive to a parade you want to see four hours early or more if you want a good spot. Some people camp out all day for their spot. Do not try to fight into the crowds right before a parade starts.

~ Respect the police. They are experts at crowd control and are overworked during this time of year. Follow their instructions to stay safe and out of trouble.

~ Do not reach down to pick up beads, doubloons, etc. With all the crowds, excitement, and movement, it can be dangerous. You may be knocked over or stepped on. If something is on the ground that you want, put your foot on it until there is a gap in the floats, then pick it up.

~ Exercise caution around floats. Crowds may swell forwards without notice and this can cause accidents. Keep an eye on the parades and the crowds, especially if you have children with you.

~ Never run into the street. Floats cannot easily stop and it is easy to be injured. Stay off to the sides and enjoy the parades from the curves.

~ Do not bring or display valuables while attending the celebrations. Thieves are numerous in crowds.

~ Unless you know the area, stick with the crowds. New Orleans has many pockets of safe and unsafe areas. Attempting to take alternate routes when you don’t know an area just to avoid crowds can be dangerous.

Exercise caution and common sense during this celebration and you will have a great time with a lot of fun memories. Go, be safe, and have fun!