JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Members of the Krewe of Excalibur showed out in support of changes to the Metairie parade route.
Captain, Missy Hildreth, said in recent years the route was moved to accommodate Family Gras and construction. It worked in some years but not others, Hildreth said.
“Shortening the route upset our riders and having a longer and more complete route will help us attract more members to ride in the krewe," Hildreth said.
On Wednesday, the Jefferson Parish council voted to revert to the traditional route. Parades will roll from Houma and Veterans and travel east, making a turn at Severn and Bonnabel before ending at Martin Behrman.
Krewes will stage floats on Houma, but on Fat Tuesday, they will stage on Veterans.
The route goes through the heart of District 5, which is represented by Councilman Hans Liljeberg.
“We got an extraordinary amount of complaints from people lining up on Bonnabel," Liljeberg said.
Liljeberg said they met over the last several months with JP administration, JPSO, residents, and krewes about the changes.
“The krewes really came forward, and I can say unanimously wanted the route to change back," Liljeberg said.
The council approved another new rule that now mirrors New Orleans; all riders are required to wear safety harness devices.
“We have always had harnesses for our riders so that doesn’t affect us at all," Hildreth said.
Earlier this year, a rider fell from the upper level of a float during the Argus parade.
“The previous ordinance arguably required it, but there was a requirement that they weren’t required in some circumstances, I wanted to clear that up and make sure we had a good valid ordinance on the books," Liljeberg said.
The council also updated permit requirements after some krewes failed to pay float builders and parades were cancelled.
Accountability for animal waste on the parade route was also included in the ordinance. If left behind, groups could be fined or expelled from participating.
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