5 Tips for a happy Mardi Gras

Top 5 tips for a happy Mardi Gras

Whether you’re new to the celebration a seasoned veteran, here are a few suggestions to help you get the most enjoyment out of Houma-Thibodaux’s Mardi Gras parades:

1. 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. A bag to collect throws.

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

2. 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.

• No Booze:area around Good Earth Transit’s main terminal at Barataria Avenue and Main Street is designated an alcohol-, drugand tobacco-free zone.

Spectators raise their arms in hopes of catching some beads as the Krewe of Kajuns parades through Houma last Mardi Gras. [The Courier and Daily Comet/File]

• Family friendly Areas near Southland Mall and the intersections of Columbus and Main streets.

Best spots in Thibodaux:

• To catch a parade twice or to a second parade:Audubon Avenue along the Nicholls State University campus.

• Family-Friendly time:Neighborhoods along Menard Street, Audubon Avenue and Jackson Street.

3. 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.

4. STAY SAFE

• Stay alert and be ready to duck or cover your head or shield your kids. Over-enthusiastic 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.

• Do not run into the street after floats or throws.

• Lock your vehicle doors when parking.

• Use a designated driver if you will be drinking.

5. What to do with beads and trinkets.

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