BATON ROUGE -
It's the weekend before Mardi Gras, and it's carnival time in Louisiana.
In fact, Mayor-President Kip Holden proclaimed Friday as "Krewe of Southdowns day in the city of Baton Rouge." With a proclamation and a police escort, the Krewe of Southdowns took to the streets in true carnival style! Friday's parade had plenty of meaning for everyone.
It's a night parade that started in 1987, and sets itself apart by rolling through the neighborhoods. The festivities are especially meaningful for the king himself, Dr. William Gladney, who started this parade 25 years ago. "We build our own floats, we don't follow a specific pattern like the other krewes, we're different," said Gladney.
Holden served as the Grand Marshall, but the Southdowns Dancing Girls were ahead of him in the lineup. "I'm the oldest dancing girl and I plan to continue as long as I can walk," said Lee Pearson, 70, Dancing Girl. Just minutes later, it was all over with the cleanup krewe right behind them, and children packing their wagons with sacks full of throws.
Extra State Police Troopers have been deployed all around Louisiana to keep everyone in check. 150 troopers in uniform and plain clothes took to the streets in New Orleans Friday, and will be there until ash Wednesday. The plain clothed troopers will be looking for illegal weapons and drugs.
Expect to see an increased presence of troopers on the roadways.
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