Neither rain nor sleet nor snow will cancel a Mardi Gras parade, but the possibility of thunderstorms and lightning may do just that.
That’s the hard decision Shreveport mayor Tom Arceneaux will make tomorrow (Thurs.) after consultation with SPAR director Shelly Ragle and the National Weather Service.
Mayor Tom made this announcement this morning on the Mike and McCarty 710 KEEL radio show. The mayor said public safety is his primary concern. He stated that moving the parade start to an earlier time would be considered along with postponing the parade for a week.
The mayor emphasized that the logistics of the parade, which include law enforcement along with public works and other city agencies, necessitated a decision tomorrow.
No doubt Mayor Tom will be criticized for pulling the parade plug if Saturday’s weather suddenly becomes as pleasant as this last Saturday, or if Saturday just brings rain and no lightning.
A postponement of the Gemini parade will mean it will be held after the beginning of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, which is a week from today (Feb.18).
The Mardi Gras parades in Shreveport Bossier were revived in 1984 after the local festivities declined in the 1920s. The first few years of the Gemini parade floats from the Monroe Mardi Gras parades were borrowed after their parades. Thus there is precedence for having a local Mardi Gras parade after Ash Wednesday.
Mayor Tom’s job is not all fun and games, and this decision on Saturday’s parade is an example. Hopefully the weather gods will change Saturday’s forecast, but don’t hold your breathe.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.