Lafayette Resident Reminds Others to Not Make This Mistake For Mardi Gras

(Lafayette, Louisiana) - Mardi Gras is in full swing across much of Louisiana, and the last thing you want to do is have this holiday cost you money.

Carnival Season can be a fun time for those who celebrate it in Louisiana, but that excitement also carries risks that can lead to future problems. Often, when you plan to attend a Mardi Gras ball or parade, the excitement can be overwhelming and may keep you from thinking clearly.

We all get caught up in "the moment," but I am here to remind you to slow down and evaluate a few things during this hectic Mardi Gras season. For many, Mardi Gras can be very fast-paced, and if you don't slow down, you can overlook a few simple things.

Mardi Gras Safety Tips

For starters, if you are going to be out in public with your kids, make sure that you are always paying attention to your surroundings, and NEVER let your kids out of sight. Police often say the best thing you can do before arriving at a parade is to put your name and your child's name on a piece of paper and place it in your child's pocket. If you and your child are separated, this gives the police a point of contact.

Also, once you and your party decide where to watch the parades, you should have a designated spot nearby where you can all meet in case the group gets separated amid the excitement.

Now, let's go over how to plan a parade. This applies to any town or city, and anywhere you may be celebrating Mardi Gras.

Parking Reminder for Mardi Gras

A listener called the radio station this week to ask us if we'd remind all of you not to do what she did before a parade in Lafayette. She says they were excited to attend a recent parade and, when they found a parking spot near the route, they took it.

The listener did not take into consideration that she was in a private shopping center parking lot, and the owners have the right to remove any vehicles not shopping at their establishment.

The woman's car was towed, and she told me it cost her $295 to get it back that night. She shared her story with me so I could relay it to you, in hopes that you don't get towed anywhere.

I couldn't imagine what it would feel llike to return to the parking space after the parade only to find that your vehicle was no longer there and had been towed.

While it may be tempting to park close when spots are available, slow down, evaluate the situation, and ensure you are not parking on private property. As wrong as you may think it is, property owners do have the right to have vehicles towed that are parked on their property, and many do without any hesitation. '

Happy Mardi Gras, and remember to be safe, slow down, and have FUN. And don't set yourself up for an unexpected expense this year.

Before we wrap up this reminder, I want to share this with you. The Lafayette Police Department shared this important information on social media, which identifies locations where lost children can be found if they are separated from their parents or guardians during Mardi Gras parades.