Calcasieu Parish moves family-friendly Mardi Gras zone to green space downtown; event March 4

Calcasieu Parish officials announced Feb. 20 that the parish’s family-friendly Mardi Gras zone will move to a green space between the Police Jury Building and the old historic courthouse lawn on Ryan Street for Mardi Gras Day, scheduled March 4, 2025. The event will be free and open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The move is intended to create more room for families and activities along the parade route, parish staff said. "This year marks the seventeenth anniversary of the zone, but the big announcement is removing the zone. ... Our new spot will be the green space between the Police Jury Building and the old historic courthouse lawn right outside," Morgan Marino, program supervisor, told the Police Jury.

Anthony Selveston, director of juvenile justice services, introduced the presentation and thanked Marino for organizing the event. Organizers said they will use adjacent streets (Gill and Kirby) for some rides and that inflatables and jump houses will be placed against the building with the green space used for family seating and activities. Planned attractions include a Putt and Green course, laser tag, a children’s train, Kona Ice and Bayou Games trucks.

Organizers said the site was walked and measured with expectations it will accommodate families and lawn chairs along the parade route. "We always need somebody to help us wrap hot dogs," Selveston said, noting volunteers are welcome. Tom Hayford of the communications and media department was thanked for producing public-service announcements and videos promoting the event.

Juror Turner Smith asked whether there is an age limit for the children's area. Marino said there is none and that teenagers are welcome; she noted teens often help run activities and that her 16-year-old daughter sometimes DJs at the event. Questions about where food will be prepared were answered: organizers said food will be cooked "under the tree."