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Mardi Gras

Celebrate safely with these tips.

Tips for Baby's First Mardi Gras 

  • Check the weather before going to the route at weatherwise.nola.gov
    • Change items in your bag to include extra layers, a rain jacket/umbrella, or more sunscreen/water.
  • Bring a chair, stroller, or wagon.
    • Make sure to have a safe place to protect your child from flying throws and large crowds.
  • Find parade trackers, restrooms, first aid stations, lost child stations, and more at routewise.nola.gov
  • Stay home if your baby is sick.
    • Parades aren't fun when you're not feeling well. Protect your child and others by staying home until they feel better.
  • Please be courteous to fellow parade goers and follow these regulations along the route, which are governed by City code.

Travel safely

  • DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.
  • Plan ahead for heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Be patient and build extra time into travel.
  • Slow down and don't drive distracted, streets are crowded with fellow parade goers.
  • Stop for people in the crosswalks and do not block crosswalks.
  • Keep bike lanes clear, don't drive or park in bike lanes
  • When passing a person bicycling, use care and provide at least 3 feet of space.
  • Check for approaching bicycle riders before opening your door.

Keep track of your group

  • Plan a meeting spot in case your group gets separated.
  • Take a "safety selfie" of your group at the beginning of the day. That way if you can't find someone, you have a photo of what they're wearing.
  • If you can't find your child, tell the nearest public safety official. There are also lost children stations along the route.

Enjoy parades safely

  • Stay behind barricades, out of the street, and listen to public safety officials.
  • Don’t cross the street between floats.
  • Don't go after beads or other throws that land near passing floats.
  • Enjoy the parade from the sidelines. Don't walk with or touch members of marching bands, dance, or walking groups.
  • “Throwbacks” -- throwing beads or other items back at riders on floats -- are not allowed. Any person who violates this provision shall be fined $250 per violation.
  • Stay clear of sanitation crews and their heavy equipment after parades.

Be aware of your surroundings 

  • Keep track of your personal belongings.
  • If you see something suspicious, say something to a public safety official.

Mardi Gras Sexual Assault Tips & Resources

To report a violent crime in New Orleans, call 9-1-1. 

For direct access to a crime victim service provider, contact the New Orleans Family Justice Center (NOFJC):

  • 504-866-9554 (24-hr hotline)
  • 504-592-4005 (Office hours)
  • 701 Loyola Ave #201, New Orleans, LA 70113
  • www.nofjc.org

Operation Mardi Gras will be a central hub operated by the Greater New Orleans victim service providers and partners at the New Orleans Family Justice Center located at 701 Loyola Ave. The hub will be a place for any victim or survivor of a violent crime during the busiest Carnival weekends to meet directly with a service provider and get access to immediate support and resources available to them through the individual agencies.

Any person who becomes a victim of a crime can call 9-1-1- to report the crime to police. They are then encouraged to call or visit the Operation Mardi Gras central hub to gain immediate support. Victims or survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, homicide (immediate family member), human trafficking, shooting or carjacking are encouraged to reach out for support. Providers can be reached directly by calling (504) 592-4005 or a 24-hour helpline at (504) 866-9554. 

Any crime committed against you is never your fault! While you can't always prevent crime, taking proactive steps can help you stay safe during Mardi Gras celebrations.

  • Travel in groups to and from the parade route.
  • Make a plan to meet up if you become separated.
  • Have a ride app downloaded with your information entered before the parade in the event you need a ride back home.
  • Let someone know where you are at all times! Share your location with someone you trust will check in on you. 
  • Only drink beverages that you prepare or that you watch a bartender prepare in front of you. 
    • Don't leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from anyone. 
  • Be aware of your surroundings. If something feels like it is unsafe, follow your instincts.
  • Stay in well-lit areas. 
  • Report suspicious activity to a public safety official or first responder.

University Medical Center

Services offered: free forensic exams  

Phone: (504)702-3931

2000 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70112

  • Forensic exams are available to any individuals 15 and older of any sex, gender, race, religion, housing status, abilities, or disabilities. Individuals under the age of 15 are stabilized and transferred to Manning Family Children's.
  • Forensic exams include HIV testing, STD prophylaxis, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PeP), emergency contraception, and more. Each part of the exam is voluntary.
  • DNA evidence can be collected up to 5 days after the incident. 

Local sexual assault hotlines

  • Louisiana SA TEXT Line: 225-351-7233
  • Louisiana SA CALL Hotline: 888-372-8995
  • Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response (STAR) Hotline: 855-435-STAR
  • New Orleans Family Justice Center: 504-866-9554

Additional Resources

The City of New Orleans provides these free resources along the route.

First Aid Stations

View locations in Routewise

First aid stations are staffed by the New Orleans Health Department, Emergency Medical Services, the Medical Reserve Corps, NOLA Ready Volunteer Corps, VIGOR volunteers, and the American Red Cross. Stop by if you need medical assistance. 

On parade days, stations are open one hour before the first float of the first parade and until crowds disperse. 

First aid stations will be offered at parades on the following days:

  • February 21-23
  • February 26-March 4

Uptown route first aid stations:

  • Louisiana Ave. and St. Charles Ave.
  • St. Andrew St. and St. Charles Ave.
  • The Circle at Howard Avenue
  • Canal St. and St. Charles Ave.

Mid-City route first aid stations: (Endymion only)

  • N. Hennessey St and Orleans Ave.
  • Norman C. Francis Prkwy. and Canal St.
  • S. Galvez St. and Canal St.
  • The Circle at Howard Avenue

For the first time this year, Mobile Nursing Nests for nursing mothers will be located along the Uptown parade route. See this PDF for more information on Mobile Nursing Nests.

Always call 9-1-1 during a medical emergency or find the nearest first responder on the route.

Sober Safe Spot

Avenues Recovery Sober Safe Spots are back!

Celebrate the joy and culture of Mardi Gras while staying committed to sobriety. The brainchild of Avenues Recovery alumni, Sober Safe Spot is a place to fully join in the revelry of Mardi Gras in a warm and welcoming atmosphere with like- minded members of the recovery community, their families, and friends. 

Located near Napoleon Ave & St Charles Ave, look for the sober safe spot from Feb. 21 through March 4 during ALL parades. Everyone in or supporting recovery is welcome. 

Look for the white flag with the following logo near Napoleon Ave & St Charles Ave.

For more information, visit: https://www.sobersafespot.org/ 

Lost Children Stations

View locations in Routewise

Lost children stations are staffed by the New Orleans Police Department. Because most families are quickly reunited near the area they were separated, tell the nearest public safety official if you can't find your child.

On parade days, stations are open one hour before the first float of the first parade and until crowds disperse. 

NOPD will also distribute free, resuable identification bracelets to families at these locations.  If the child is lost for any reason, law enforcement officers can immediately contact parents with the information on the bracelet.

 

24/7 Sobering Center

Located at 732 North Claiborne Ave and operated by Odyssey House of Louisiana, the Sobering Center is a 25-bed facility open 24/7/365.

The Sobering Center is a public health and safety endeavor to allow intoxicated individuals to voluntarily recover from immediate acute alcohol impairment under the care of trained staff.   Sobering Center staff will monitor individuals at the facility and provide opportunities to those interested in accessing higher levels of care such as medically assisted detox or substance use treatment. 

Transportation to and from the Sobering Center is available by call the Outreach van at 504-439-5941.

Admission Criteria:

  • Conscious and Ambulatory (individual can walk or be assisted in walking through the door)
  • Non-combative
  • 18 Years Old or Older
  • Impaired from Alcohol

If You See Something, Say Something

Public safety is everyone's responsibility. If you see something suspicious, report it to local authorities. 

IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, CALL 9-1-1.

If you see suspicious activity

Report it to law enforcement and describe specifically what you observed, including:

  • Who or what you saw;
  • When you saw it;
  • Where it occurred; and
  • Why it’s suspicious.

To report suspicious activity, call 504-821-2222

If there is an emergency, call 911

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