Mardi Gras: The party in Eunice begins Friday

The Mardi Gras is arriving in Eunice and the party begins in earnest Friday when the music starts at 6 p.m.
The barriers are on the side of 2nd Street, but it will be about 2 p.m. Friday when 2nd Street is closed from U.S. 190 to Park Avenue.
A stage for the bands will go up at 2nd and Walnut streets.
Walnut is to close from the alleys between 2nd and La. 13 and 3rd Street.
On Friday, the first band for the Eunice downtown Mardi Gras celebration is Plaquemine Brulee Band, which will be followed by Wayne Toups.
Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot offered some advice for the Mardi Gras.
Number one, was “Don’t be stupid.”
Fontenot said he realizes people will be drinking alcoholic beverages, but they should also know their limits.
“Have a designated driver if you are going to consume alcoholic beverages,” he said.
Glass bottles are not allowed downtown, he said.
“Pay attention to where you park,” he said. “Don’t block driveways. Don’t park in alleys or in ‘no parking’ spots. And, don’t park in someone’s yard without permission.”
Fontenot added, “Don’t go inside somebody’s house to take a nap. We’ve had that a couple of times. They just went into a house and laid down.”
Fontenot also urged people to not leave valuables in sight in a vehicle and to remember to lock the vehicle.
Skateboards, bicycles and skates are not allowed, he said.
Indecent exposure is not allowed.
“This is a family-friendly Mardi Gras,” he said.
“We hope it goes as well as last year,” Fontenot said. “Last year we had two or three minor arrests toward the end of the Mardi Gras day.”
The days leading up to Mardi Gras are full of activities in Eunice.
Besides the music, the Prairie Culture Center is open all days except Sunday.
The Eunice Depot Museum and The Cajun French Music Association Hall of Fame is open through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.