Apps Before even heading out the door make sure you know your parade route. Download parade trackers to get real-time updates on how your parade is doing.

WWL Mardi Gras Parade Tracker

WDSU Parade Tracker

Do: have a meeting place With one of the busiest events of the year; it’s easy to loose friends, family, significant others.

Do: plan your meals ahead Most restaurants along the parade routes will be working at capacity. Be prepared to make reservations, bring your own food or eat before heading out.

Do: be prepared to be knocked around

Crowds can get rough depending on where you stand. These crowds will consist of adults, children and old people.

Do: watch for kids You’re excited; we’re excited and so are the kids. You’ll want to watch out for them, otherwise you might be answering to some parents.

Do: check the weather It’s still Louisiana. It might be hot or it might be cold. Dress accordingly.

Do: be prepared to walk Parking will be vicious during this time of year. Be prepared to walk from your parking space which might be a number of blocks from the route.

Do: be careful near the floatsThose crowds can get pushy. Be prepared to be pushed around.

Do: practice ladder safety Make sure the ladders are at least six feet from the curb to avoid it from being knocked over.

Do: leave your portable toilets at home

Starting last year; portable toilets have been banned on the neutral ground and other public property.

Don’t: run into the streets Floats cannot stop on a dime and cops will chase you.

Don’t: reach down to pick things up

Unless you want your fingers to get trampled on; your best bet is to put your foot on the item and waiting to pick it up.

Don’t: test the police The police work even longer during this time of season. Respect them and cooperate as they deal with the nitty gritty of Mardi Gras.

Don’t: be late Get to the routes FOUR hours early to claim a good spot. And when you see chairs there; don’t move them, someone else has claimed that spot already.

Don’t: double park Just don’t…

Don’t: block sidewalks Starting last year; there was a ban put in place prohibiting anyone from blocking public right of ways with chairs, ropes etc.

Don’t: litter Keep the city clean and respect the people who own the house that you stand in front of!

Routes: Friday, Feb. 13French Quarter:

- Krewe of Bosom Buddies- 11:30am

Uptown New Orleans: - Krewe of Hermes

- 6:00pm- Krewe d’Etat

- 6:30pm- Krewe of Morpheus

- 7:00pm

Metairie: - Krewe of Centurions

- 7:00pm

Routes: Saturday, Feb. 14 Westbank:

- Krewe of NOMTOC- 10:45am

Uptown New Orleans:- Krewe of Iris

- 11:00am- Krewe of Tucks

- 12:00pm

Mid-City:- Krewe of Endymion

- 4:15pm

Metairie:- Krewe of isis

- 6:30pm

Routes: Sunday, Feb. 15 Uptown New Orleans:

- Krewe of Okeanos- 11:00am

- Krewe of Mid-City- 11:45am

- Krewe of Thoth- 12:00pm

- Krewe of Bacchus- 5:15pm

Metairie: - Corps de Napoleon

- 5:00pm

Routes: Monday, Feb. 16 Uptown New Orleans:

- Krewe of Proteus- 5:15pm

- Krewe of Orpheus- 6:00pm

Routes: Tuesday Feb. 17 Uptown New Orleans:

- Krewe of Zulu- 8:00am

- Krewe of Rex- 10:00am

- Krewe of Elks Orleans- after Krewe of Rex

- Krewe of Crescent City- after Krewe of Elks Orleans

Westbank: - Krewe of Grela

- 10:00am

Routes: Tuesday, Feb. 17, cont. Metairie:

- Krewe of Argus- 10:00am

- Krewe of Elks Jefferson - after Krewe of Argus

- Krewe of Jefferson- after Elks Jefferson

Routes: Westbank

Routes: Metairie

Routes: French Quarter

Routes: Mid-City

Routes: Uptown New Orleans