The City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

City of Lake Charles Announces

Activities for Mardi Gras Holiday

On Tuesday, February 12, the City of Lake Charles will observe the Mardi Gras Holiday.Several events, including the Krewe of Krewes' Parade, will be held in the City.The following is an overview of activities planned for the day:

• Motorcycles, Hot Rods and Classics Parade - Noon
• 12-5 p.m. -- Sister City Street Party, 300 block of Pujo Street,Live Music
• Krewe of Krewes' Parade - 5 p.m.

Both parades will begin on West Mill St. at Lakeshore Dr. and continue south on Ryan St. to Sale Rd.

In conjunction with the Mardi Gras 2013 parade route, street parking will not be allowed on Ryan St. between Mill and Broad from 8 a.m. Friday, February 8, through Tuesday, February 12 and the conclusion of the Krewe of Krewes' Parade.The on street parking areas will be barricaded.

Ordinance 16489 prohibits street parking during a special event or a parade route in accordance with a designated special event traffic plan. Signs will be posted identifying these "no parking" areas.An unoccupied vehicle in violation may be removed or impounded and the owner and/or operator subject to a citation and fines.

City Public Works crews will place traffic barricades along the parade route Tuesday morning beginning at approximately 6:30 a.m.Traffic along Ryan St. will be restricted to one lane each way up to about one hour before the parades, until around 4:30 p.m. when the road will be closed.

Motorists should expect long lines of slow moving traffic and heavy pedestrian traffic along Ryan St.

Businesses will remain open and access to their locations will be available throughout the day and up to approximately 30 minutes before a parade.

Local law enforcement agencies will be on hand to control traffic and crowd issues and to assist parade goers.

Street vendors must have the proper occupational permits to serve the public, which must be obtained from the Occupational Licenses Office.Vendors will not be allowed along the parade route from the Civic Center to Clarence.Law enforcement agencies will check for appropriate permits.Vendors must relocate off the parade route once the parade begins.

Cardboard trash receptacles with plastic liners distributed at the City's February 6 public meeting to property owners along the parade route should be placed within the public right of way along the Ryan street route during the Mardi Gras parades.City solid waste will remove the receptacles the following day.

Port-a-Cans will be placed at the Civic Center, Lock Park, and downtown near the 300 block of Pujo St.

Immediately following the Krewe of Krewes' Parade, Ryan St., between Mill St. and Sale Rd., will be temporarily closed to all traffic so that City Public Works crews can remove barricades, pick up litter and sweep the streets.Law enforcement officers will divert traffic from this section of Ryan St., which is expected to remain closed for approximately two hours after the parade.

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The City of Lake Charles fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see the City of Lake Charles website- www.cityoflakecharles.comor call the Mayor's Action Line at (337) 491-1346, or contact the appropriate Department Head, or call the Title VI coordinator at (337) 491-1440.