Lafayette Alcohol Sales to End Early on Mardi Gras Day
Mardi Gras season is a big time here in Louisiana.
It's a time for parades, balls, costumes, masks, music, food, friends, and, of course, alcohol.
And with Mardi Gras marking the beginning of Lent, a period of sacrifice observed by many Christians, it's the last hoorah before the Lenten lockdown.
According to the World Population Review website, religious affiliation in Louisiana's breakdown shows a high percentage of the population that practices Christianity.
Here are the numbers from the website's latest report:
- 84% of the population of Louisiana follows a Christian belief of some sort
- 2% of the population of Louisiana follows a non-Christian belief of some sort
- 13% of the population of Louisiana has no affiliation with any religion
Of course, Mardi Gras is not a holiday that is observed by ONLY Christians, but a very non-scientific view of these numbers might show that a lot of people in Louisiana do look at it as one last hoorah, as mentioned earlier in this story.
With all of that being said, there may be some upset drinkers if officials with the Lafayette Consolidated Government adopt the ordinance come February 1st.
According to a post from Taylor Toole at KATC TV3, the Lafayette City Council and the Lafayette Parish Council have passed an introductory ordinance that will end alcohol sales within the city and parish's jurisdictions earlier on Mardi Gras.
The councils are set to adopt the ordinance at the February 1st meeting.
What does this mean for the City and Parish of Lafayette?
According to the story, more time for city/parish employees to clean up after Mardi Gras "ends"; a reduction of overtime hours for law enforcement details - saving taxpayer dollars; and a smaller window for people to do stupid stuff - which promotes public safety.
In prior years, bars and other establishments that served alcohol within the LCG-controlled jurisdiction were able to carry on with business as usual - a 2 AM closing time.
If (or when) this ordinance passes, the new "last call" will happen at 11:45 PM, signaling a midnight halt to alcohol sales (it's been a while since I've heard a "last call" - is it still 15 minutes prior to closing?).
Could this lead to fewer hangovers on Ash Wednesday and maybe even higher productivity at work that day?