On Thursday, the New Orleans City Council gave the green light to a number of new Mardi Gras regulations designed to reduce some of the most unpleasant behaviors often associated with Carnival.
The “Krewe of Chad,” who are known for their practice of setting up tents and tarps to reserve their spot along the neutral ground of the Uptown parade route, are easily recognizable.
According to council members, the issue has escalated in recent years. People are now connecting ladders together, bringing generators to power their electronics, and even constructing makeshift toilets. These actions leave the city with the responsibility of disposing of the waste.
Council members have pointed out that during official parade windows, streetcar tracks are often blocked by crowds, making it difficult for emergency responders to navigate through. Additionally, these crowds can create obstacles during crises.
Next year, parade-goers will no longer be allowed to have tents, tarps, couches, portable toilets, scaffolding, and viewing platforms on parade routes. In addition, the use of generators, charcoal and gas grills will also be prohibited due to their potential fire hazards.
According to Council Member Lesli Harris, the rules are put in place to ensure that everyone can partake in Mardi Gras festivities, and not just limited to a specific group.
According to Council Vice President JP Morrell, the council has decided to completely ban tents instead of limiting certain types. This decision was made to avoid any disagreements or misunderstandings regarding which tents are permissible.
According to him, the tents with platforms have transformed into mini Taj Mahals, where families sit and watch the people around them as they celebrate Mardi Gras. However, he believes this is no longer an acceptable option.
According to Morrell, ladders can still be used during parades, but they must be positioned at least six feet away from the curb. It is important to note that fastening ladders together to create walls that obstruct parade routes is now prohibited by city law. Morrell humorously referred to these walls as “Great Walls of ladders.”
According to Morrell, the council is collaborating with Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration to ensure that trash trucks conduct a thorough cleaning of the route prior to the official parade window. In case of any unattended items, they would be disposed of in the dump. However, he added that the council would need to allocate funds for this purpose.
Morrell warned that simply going out with a spray can, laying tarps, and building an early Taj Mahal does not guarantee that your creation will not end up in the dump.
As part of the latest regulations, horses participating in parades will now have to fulfill additional requirements. These include receiving more vaccinations and wearing a hip tag for identification purposes. Moreover, the use of confetti canons during parades has been strictly prohibited to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.
Harris recommended that the Cantrell administration commence educating the public about the upcoming changes in order to reduce conflicts between parade attendees and city officials who will be enforcing the new regulations. Both Harris and Morrell proposed the placement of signs along the parade route to clearly outline the rules.
The city’s council members emphasized the significance of effectively enforcing the newly implemented laws. Additionally, Morrell pointed out that the city could consider withholding funding until the crucial contracts for parade workers are filled.
As the 2025 Carnival season approaches and New Orleans prepares to host the Super Bowl, changes are underway.
The Krewe of ALLA has announced its new parade date.
Ahead of Carnival 2025, the committee has suggested a ban on several items including tents, generators, portable toilets, and confetti cannons.
The council members are determined to learn from the mistakes made during previous Carnivals and ensure that they are not repeated.
