The city of West Monroe unveils a weekend of Mardi Gras festivities ahead of the two Mardi Gras Parades that will arrive in West Monroe on Saturday, February 7. The Krewe de Riviere Parade will begin at 3 p.m., and the Krewe of Janus parade will follow at 6 p.m. The parades will travel down Natchitoches Street in West Monroe, veer left onto Trenton Street in downtown West Monroe, then turn right onto Stella/Mill, making their way over the Lea Joyner Bridge into Monroe. Beforehand, West Monroe will host many Mardi Gras themed festivities throughout the day. The schedule for the weekend events is as follows.
Saturday, Feb. 7
- 9 a.m. – Jester Jog Color 5K
- 10 a.m. – PAWS Pet Parade registration on the grassy lot on the corner of Wood & Commerce Streets
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Food trucks open in Alley Park
- Noon – PAWS Pet Parade rolls, beginning at the corner of Commerce & Wood Streets onto Trenton Street in downtown West Monroe
- 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. – Live music from the Hot Grits Band in Alley Park
- 3 p.m. – Krewe de Riviere Parade
- 6 p.m. – Krewe of Janus Parade
Be aware of street closures taking effect Saturday, as the two parades are rolling through the city. The closed streets are as follows.
- 7 a.m. – Trenton Street (Pine Street to Wood Street) and Natchitoches Street (east of Cotton Street)
- 7 a.m. – Commerce Street from Pine to Wood Street
- 11 a.m. – Natchitoches Street from Stella/Mill to N. 8th Street
- 1 p.m. – Natchitoches Street (N. 8th Street to Trenton Street)
- 2 p.m. – Trenton Street (Bridge Street to Pine Street)
- 3 p.m. – Louisville Bridge
The parades are regarded as a “no drone zone.” Ensure that you abide by this and do not fly drones over the parades’ route. All closures will take effect some time after the Krewe of Janus Parade crosses the Lea Joyner Bridge.