The Mardi Gras parade season begins locally on Saturday with the Krewe of Sobek, but comes downtown on Monday with the Krewe of Harambee/MLK Day Parade. The popular Harambee Parade always draws a crowd so come early to stake out a great viewing spot. The forecast right now is a good one, but a bit chilly- sunshine and a high of 53 degrees.
The day begins for Harambee with the Hopes and Dreams Scholarship Breakfast on Monday morning from 8-10 am at the Petroleum Club downtown. Tickets to the breakfast are $20. The parade begins at 1 pm and rolls until roughly 3 pm. Be warned that downtown streets will begin closing at noon and will be closed until the parade route is cleaned. 
The parade will stage near Municipal Auditorium and officially starts as it crosses Common Street to Milam Street. It will roll east on Milam to Edwards Street, where it will cross over to Texas Street and then head west on Texas Street toward the First United Methodist Church. Reviewing stands are generally set up at the courthouse square at 500 Texas St. On the map we have indicated routes (in blue) that will get you into downtown even after streets have been closed.
Enjoy your day and Laissez les bon temps rouler!
