DEVIL’S ADVOCATE - BEST DAMN F.A.Q.’s

Just Answers - #nofilter - Read them all, they’re here to make sure you book a trip YOU will enjoy… or NOT book a trip YOU will NOT enjoy. We’re rather shoot ourselves in the foot right now, than have unhappy guests later. You’ll need to check a box about this, you may as well read it. Some basic stuff, some not so much.

•YES, the items you will throw during the parade (about 2,000 per person) are included in your tour’s price. (You do NOT want to pay RETAIL Price!)

•MORE IMPORTANTLY, YES, this means you should be prepared to throw about 2,000 small light objects for 2.5 to 3 hours. Stand in your living room and throw 2,000 cotton balls at an invisible basketball hoop, one at a time, and come back here if you enjoyed that. We’ll wait…. Jeopardy music… Alright! Good Job!

• YES, the parade lasts 2.5 to 3 hours, which means you should be able to STAND for 2.5 to 3 hours. The parade will feel like it went by quickly, but your body knows how much time has really passed. No silly tests for this. You know yourself.

•NO, this is not a tour for guests with mobility issues. We have other tours for that, but this is not one.

•NO, this is not a tour for some of the neurodivergent folks: We know it sounds perfect: no crowds.. but other triggers like loud music, screaming people, and standing in one place for 2.5 to 3 hours are just the start of that trigger list.

•YES, Children are …. [Read ALL if this if you plan on bringing a child.]… more than welcome. HOWEVER, they MUST be over 10 years old AND 4’6” tall for seeing and throwing abilities. They must be able to conduct themselves in a grown-up environment - If you don’t take them to fancy restaurants, this is not the tour for them. They WILL be around alcohol, colorful language, and well … Mardi Gras. This is not the “June Cleaver Celebration of Goodness and Grace”. I’m not saying we’re pirates or heathens, but we can’t promise others RRRRn’t (so sorry). We can ask, but pirates and heathens are not known to be forthcoming with truths of that nature. I digress… Kids=Yes, if they act like small grown-ups.

•YES, all soft drinks, juices, and water are included. We’ll take a survey in January before we go shopping. You’ll get what you what.And snacks. Always snacks.

•NO, alcohol is not included in the price. We couldn’t ask non-drinkers to pay for booze and you all have different tastebuds. HOWEVER! Fear not, pirates! In January you will receive a HUGE email and one of the items within will be a link to the best distributor in town. Not only because of variety, but community goodness, and they’ll let us buy in advance to pick up the week before Mardi Gras. You’re welcome to bring your own. We are offering this to those flying into Lafayette. But please remember to drink responsibly for safety & fun’s sake. Don’t be that guy who is remembered for getting removed from the float by the Parade Police.

•YES, We do our best to help those with food allergies & dietary restrictions, HOWEVER if you cannot eat pork, seafood of any kind, garlic, onion, celery, green bell pepper, or white rice: Just know, all of them will make an appearance at every meal.

•YES, All admissions, fees, meals, and gratuities are included in the cost. Taxes are beyond our control, they are not included.

•YES, the Credit Card company charges all both of us fees for the convenience. To avoid the said fees, you can mail us a check. We’ll hold your spot(s) for a days whilst in transit. Doubloons will not be accepted as currency. Cash must be hand-delivered.

•YES - Your MARDI GRAS STARTER KIT will be available the WEEK BEFORE the event. This is in case some of you arrive early. There will be coupons/vouchers that you will be able to use before your tour with us. Let us know during registration if this is your FIRST Mardi Gras. We’ll make sure EVERYBODY knows!

•YES, This parade happens RAIN or SHINE. This parade has only been cancelled once. Ever. We’ll have ponchos, but if you have a favorite raincoat, you’ll want to bring it just in case.

•YES we have a REFUND policy for this event based on charges we will have incurred at certain times. Before November 19th, 2025 there is a 90% refund. Between November 20th, 2025 and December 19th there is a 60% refund. After December 20th there will not be any refunds issued. HOWEVER, should something terrible in your life happen and you can’t make it (and we are sorry this happened) we can roll over your registration to the following Mardi Gras. Your spot will be guaranteed for 2027.

RULES & REGS From the Mardi Gras Parade Association: RIDER’S EDITION

INDEPENDENT PARADE RULES & REGULATIONS

Revised 11/15/22

  1. Any organization participating in the parade must abide by the insurance requirements from the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association.

  2. GSWLMGA and Uniformed Police Officers have final word on decisions at lineup.

  3. Each participating group must complete an official parade registration application form and supply copies of vehicle registration, proof of insurance, signed acceptance of rules form, and applicable entry fee.

  4. A limited number of floats are permitted in the GSWLAMGA Independent Parade.

  5. Entry fees are non-refundable.

  6. The vehicle must be titled, registered, and insured.

  7. Each unit must keep within the flow of the parade. Units must stay within 30 ft of each other.

  8. All entries must conform to standards. Non-conforming displays (at the sole discretion of the parade officials of GSWLAMGA or police officials) will be expelled from the parade. Parades are designed with a fun and family-friendly Mardi Gras in mind. Accordingly, all float units, vehicles pulling floats, decorations, costumes, signage, music, language, throws, etc., must not be profane, defamatory, or abusive. A parade official shall have the ABSOLUTE right to direct that any offending item be removed. The official shall also have the ABSOLUTE right to deny any float entry into the parade or to pull the float from the parade at any time, should the official determine that the float unit or its riders are in violation of this rule. Parade officials are the sole interpreters and enforcers of this rule.

  9. Vehicles or floats can be no wider than fourteen (14) feet, higher than 13 ½ feet, no longer than forty (40) feet (trailer), and must have a minimum of 6 feet, 6 inches (6'6") from ground to top of sidewall of the throwing area.

  10. Pulling vehicle must not have wheels that stick out past the body of the vehicle.

  11. No projections off the body of the float (i.e., open doors, wings) will be permitted.

  12. The bottom of all floats must be skirted or masked to the ground.

  13. Each vehicle pulling the float agrees to the posting of GSWLAMGA/co-sponsor magnetic signs on their vehicle floats, designating it as an official member of the parade.

  14. Any throws other than beads or doubloons must be approved by the parade officials prior to the day of the parade (i.e., no condoms, coconuts, squids, animals, religious items, or items of graphic or sexual nature). The official shall also have the ABSOLUTE right to deny any throw from being included in the parade.

  15. Float riders must behave in a socially acceptable manner. A float rider must not use obscene, profane, abusive, racist, or derogatory language, gestures, clothing, etc. Float riders must remain properly attired during the duration of the parade. Any participant riding in the parade (float or pulling vehicle) in violation of this rule is subject to being removed from the parade. The official shall have the ABSOLUTE right to deny any rider entry into (or ejection from) the parade at any time.

  16. Marching groups must be organized with a clear, designated leader and presented in good taste. Only marching group will be Krewe of Couche Couche.

  17. In order to keep with the true family-friendly Mardi Gras tradition of Lafayette, appropriate attire must be worn at all times before, during, and after the parade ends. Anyone in violation of this rule is subject to removal from the parade.

  18. To keep music from interfering with other floats, we ask that speakers be placed at the front of the float and directed back toward the riders or mounted on the sides facing out toward the crowds.

  19. No smoke machines, confetti launchers, or any type of mechanical or kinetic device can be used to launch objects from the float.

  20. Throwing of “Jello” shots or any other alcoholic-based items are strictly forbidden from being thrown from the floats.

  21. No glass containers are allowed on the float.

  22. Vehicles are not to stop along the parade route unless directed to by an official.

  23. All floats that are carrying a generator must carry an inspected and approved fire extinguisher (minimum 2.5 lbs ABC fire extinguisher). If your float is a double-decker, you must carry an additional fire extinguisher on the top deck as well. Float captains are the designated firefighters on board.

  24. Generators must be properly ventilated.

  25. No fueling of the generators is allowed to take place along the parade route, and no fuel is to be stored on the float.

  26. No open vehicles (convertibles). Only floats are allowed in the parade.

  27. No one is allowed to ride on top of any vehicle of any kind (hood, roof, or bed of any vehicle).

  28. Drivers are not allowed to throw from windows. Driver's window must be rolled up.

  29. The driver/operator of a vehicle shall not consume any form of intoxicant before or during the parade.

  30. No alcoholic beverages of any kind will be allowed or permitted in the driver or passenger compartment of any vehicle in the parade. Lafayette City Police and Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Parade Officials will strictly enforce this rule.

  31. The driver must stay with his/her vehicle at all times before the parade, at lineup, and during the parade.

  32. Absolutely no animals of any type will be allowed in the parade.

  33. No 18-wheelers will be permitted.

  34. ABSOLUTELY NO throwing of beads (or any type of throw) while the parade is stopped.

  35. All windows on vehicles must stay up. This includes the float and vehicle pulling the float.

  36. Driver of the “pulling vehicle” and “contact person/float captain” of the float must attend the parade meeting.

  37. No float will be allowed to stop and disembark riders prior to reaching the Cajun Dome (end).

  38. All floats must remain in the parade until the designated ending point.

  39. All float drivers are required to attend and complete any pre-parade certifications and/or courses required by law enforcement, including Lafayette Police Department Driver Training and Orientation. If the driver took this class last year and has previously driven in the parade, then they do not need to take it this year.

  40. ALL UNITS WILL BE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION BEFORE PARADE DAY AND UPON LINEUP FOR THE PARADE. Any unit or group violating any of these rules will be expelled from the parade and will forfeit their registration fee.

  41. Registration fee and all required paperwork shall be completed and provided to the Independent Parade Chairman at least 10 calendar days before Mardi Gras Day. Late entries may be assessed a late fee and/or allowed entry solely at the discretion of the Parade Chairman.

Mardi Gras Day

All vehicles, floats, and groups should begin checking in at 11:30 am at the corner of Pinhook and Surrey Street. Vehicles and floats MUST ENTER FROM PINHOOK. Any group or vehicle not in place by 1:00pm will not be allowed to participate in the parade. No exceptions. Be at the corner of Pinhook and Surrey to begin lineup of participants. An inspection will be conducted of all drivers' compartments for any alcoholic beverages, participant vehicle/float for proper guidelines, decorations, sizes, and pulling vehicle. A sign must be posted on the pulling vehicle designating it as an official member of the parade. As the Lafayette Mardi Gras Association Parade's last float leaves Surrey St. (about 1:30), then the Independent Parade will start.

Uniformed Police Officers will be there for our assistance.

Floats are to line up on the right side of Surrey Street. When the right side of Surrey is full to Louisiana Avenue, floats will then begin lining up on the left side of Surrey. When the Parade commences, the right side will go first and the left side will follow. Floats arriving early and parking in lots or streets on or off of Surrey Street (i.e. LA Motors parking lot or adjacent gravel lot) WILL NOT be allowed entry in the lineup. We line up the floats in the order that they arrive.

INDEPENDENT PARADE ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I, the undersigned Float Captain and representative of the undersigned organization (if any), have read, understand, and agree to all rules and regulations. I also understand that GSWLAMGA Media, Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association (“GSWMA”) and all subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, and agents are in no way responsible or liable for any damages (whether physical, emotional or otherwise, and whether to persons or property) arising out of or relating to participation of the undersigned and its invitees in the Independent Parade by me or any invitees.

I understand and agree, as a representative of the below mentioned organization and all of the other participants taking part in the Independent Parade under the below mentioned organization entry (including any and all minors by definition under the laws of the State of Louisiana) to participate in the Independent Parade at his/her own risk and each accept full responsibility for any and all damages, emotional, physical or otherwise that may occur as a result of participation in the Independent Parade. We acknowledge that each float, its drivers, and riders are responsible for their own safety and that GSWMA is not responsible for inspecting vehicles or floats or ensuring the safety of any vehicles, floats or riders. By signing below I/we certify that my float and the vehicle pulling my float are insured and that such policy is in force and effect and covers participation by me and my riders. I/we further acknowledge that GSWMA is an organization which presents Mardi Gras parades and that GSWMA and its members and directors are entitled to immunity as contemplated by La. R.S. 9: 9:2796 or any other applicable immunities related to Mardi Gras.

I understand that my registration may not be complete and my float may not be allowed in the parade unless and until I timely provide any and all required paperwork to the Independent Parade Chairman.

I HAVE REVIEWED AND UNDERSTAND ALL OF THE RULES AND REQUIREMENTS AND AGREE TO SAME.