What to know as second weekend of Mardi Gras parades begins in Terrebonne, Lafourche

Colin Campo, Houma Courier-Thibodaux Daily Comet

Houma-Thibodaux's Mardi Gras parade season enters its second weekend Friday evening, with Fat Tuesday itself just a few days away.

Terrebonne Parish officials will meet to discuss the weather during some of the parade days, and will make decisions on the parades about 4 p.m. Friday. This story will be updated if anything changes.

Who's rolling?

The Krewe des Couyons and Tee Caillou parades have moved to this weekend because of weather last weekend.

Feb. 9: Aphrodite, 6 p.m. in Houma; Athena, 7 p.m. in Golden Meadow.

Feb. 10: Tee Caillou will roll at 11 a.m. in Chauvin; Apollo, noon in Lockport; Krewe of Mardi Gras, 6 p.m. in east Houma; Bon Temps, 6:30 p.m. in Larose.

Feb. 11: Terreanians, 12:30 p.m. in Houma; Tradition, 1 p.m. in Houma; Cleophas, 12:30 p.m., followed by Chronos at 2 p.m. in Thibodaux; Montegut Children's Parade, 2 p.m. in Montegut; Krewe Des Couyons, 2 p.m. in Golden Meadow; and Nereids, 6 p.m. in Golden Meadow.

Feb. 12: Cleopatra, 6 p.m. in Houma.

Feb. 13: Gheens, 11 a.m. in Gheens; Neptune, noon in Golden Meadow; Houmas, 12:30 p.m., followed by Kajuns in Houma; Ghana, 1 p.m. in Thibodaux; Choupic, 1 p.m. in Choupic; Bonne Terre, 4:30 p.m. in Montegut.

Where will parades roll?

West Houma route: Starts at Southland Mall, heads down Park Avenue and turns right onto Hollywood Road, left onto Main Street and right onto Barrow Street, ending at the Town Hall banquet hall at Bond Street.

East Houma route: Starts at James Road near the Houma-Terrebonne Airport and heads down Grand Caillou Road. The parade turns right onto North Van Avenue and merges onto Howard Avenue. It turns left onto East Main Street and left onto Grand Caillou Road, ending at the East Houma Bingo Hall.

How's the Weather?

According to forecasters with the National Weather Service, the weekend's temperatures through Mardi Gras should stay between the 60s and 75. There is the potential for some nasty weather Sunday, but predictions become less certain when a forecast is four or more days out.

Friday: Light drizzles, with temperatures near 75. No thunder expected.

Saturday: Light drizzles, with temperatures near 77. No thunder expected. Wind gusts will be about 15 mph.

Sunday: Because the forecast is four days out, predictions become more difficult. There's a 15% chance of a severe weather system moving through in the afternoon, with the potential for tornadoes. If the system moves through Terrebonne and Lafourche, gusts will reach 30 mph.

Monday: Temperatures will be about 65, and the day is expected to be windy with 15 mph sustained winds and 25 mph gusts.

Tuesday: After the weather system passes by, Mardi Gras day should be clear skies with temperatures in the 60s.

Stay safe

Among tips from local police:

  • Stay alert and be ready to duck or cover your head or shield your kids. Overenthusiastic float riders sometimes throw trinkets harder than intended.

  • Leave large purses and bags and expensive jewelry at home.

  • Carry ID, credit cards and cash in front pockets.

  • Watch your children. Before the parade, discuss the importance of staying close to you. In case children do get lost, make sure each knows parents’ full names, address and phone number; tell them to look for police; and make careful notes of what they’re wearing so you can offer a detailed description to police.

  • Don't run into the street or past barricades after floats or throws.

  • Lock your vehicle doors when parking.

  • Use a designated driver if you will be drinking.

Pick the right spot

Best spots in Houma: To catch a parade twice or get home early, stake out a spot along Park Avenue near Southland Mall, the starting point for west-Houma parades.

Family-friendly areas: Near Southland Mall and the intersections of Columbus andMain streets.

Best spots in Thibodaux: To catch a parade twice or get to a second parade: Audubon Avenue along the Nicholls State University campus.

Family-friendly: Neighborhoods along Menard Street, Audubon Avenue and Jackson Street.

Take the right stuff

Things to pack: Snacks and drinks, maybe a sandwich. Unless you want to stand for two or three hours, bring a folding chair. Dress for the weather; wear sunscreen and sunglasses to the day parades. Bring a bag to collect throws.

Leave at home: Pets, glass bottles, firecrackers, silly string and other similar gags are illegal at parades.

Want beads?

To fill up your grocery bags with throws:

  • Bring a small, preferably cute kid to the parade. Krewe members love to throw awesome toys, sparkly beads and loads of candy to children. If you do not bring a child, stand as far away as possible from anyone with children. You will catch nothing.

  • Make creative signs or targets, buckets and hoops so riders notice you — and take aim. When all else fails, shout the trusted phrase “Throw me something mister.”

  • Wear something ridiculous. A purple wig, ugly sunglasses, costumes — anything that gets you noticed.

What to do with unwanted beads and trinkets after the parade

Donate to local organizations such as The Haven, Terrebonne and Lafourche ARC and Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. TARC has a wagon behind most Houma parades to collect beads for recycling.

This article originally appeared on The Courier: Mardi Gras parades in Terrebonne, Lafourche tips, weather forecast

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