02/11/2026
🚧 MARDI GRAS PARADE ROUTE TRAFFIC & PARKING UPDATE – RYAN STREET 🎭
As Mardi Gras approaches, the City of Lake Charles wants to help motorists, residents, and businesses plan ahead for traffic and parking changes along the Ryan Street parade route.
⚠️ BARRICADE STAGING BEGINS
🗓 Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Friday, Feb. 13
Beginning tomorrow morning, Public Works crews and law enforcement will begin staging barricades along the Ryan Street parade route before locking them into place Thursday and Friday mornings.
🚗 Motorists should:
Use extreme caution
Expect slow-moving traffic
Watch for workers and equipment in the roadway
🚫 NO PARKING ON RYAN STREET
Starting Thursday, Feb. 12 at 8 a.m.
On-street parking will be closed from Pryce Street to Clarence Street
Parking will remain closed through Tuesday, Feb. 17 following the Krewe of Krewes Parade
“No Parking” signs will be posted
🚨 Reminder: Ordinance 16489 prohibits parking on parade routes during special events.
Vehicles in violation may be towed or impounded, and owners may be cited or fined.
🚧 TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS
Friday, Feb. 13 – Tuesday, Feb. 17
Barricades will be placed from Clarence Street south to Sale Road
Ryan Street will be limited to one lane in each direction in most areas
Expect heavy pedestrian traffic and delays
⛔ Ryan Street will be fully closed approximately 30 minutes before each parade
🏪 Businesses will remain accessible when parades are not rolling
🎉 PARADE SCHEDULE & ROUTES
All parades travel south on Ryan Street to Sale Road unless noted.
Friday, Feb. 13
Merchants’ Parade, 7 pm
Sunday, Feb. 15
Children’s Parade, 3:30 pm
Tuesday, Feb. 17 (Mardi Gras Day)
Second Line Stroll Walking Parade – 1 p.m.
Jeeps on Parade – 2 p.m.
Motor Gras – 3 p.m.
Krewe of Krewes Parade – 5 p.m.
📍 Bord du Lac Drive will be closed during parade lineups and parades.
🚓 ROAD CLOSURES – TUESDAY, FEB. 17
Ryan Street between Pine Street and Sallier Street will close one hour before the Second Line Stroll
This section will remain closed until after the Krewe of Krewes Parade
Ryan Street from Pine Street to Sale Road will remain closed approximately two hours after parades for cleanup
👮 SAFETY & EVENT SUPPORT
Law enforcement will be stationed throughout the route
Multiple command centers will be in place
Officers will assist with traffic, crowd control, and parade-goer safety
🧹 CLEANUP & AMENITIES
Cardboard trash receptacles available (while supplies last) at City Hall, 326 Pujo St.
Trash receptacles will be removed Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 7 a.m.
Port-a-Cans located at city-owned properties including:
Lake Charles Event Center
Lock Park
🛍️ VENDOR REMINDERS
Proper occupational permits are required
Vendors are not allowed from the Event Center to Clarence Street
Vendors must relocate once parades begin (timing varies by location)
🚗 PLEASE PLAN AHEAD, BE PATIENT, AND DRIVE SAFELY
Law enforcement will assist with traffic flow and egress from the parade route.
📲 Full parade schedules and event details: mardigrasswla.com
