Alexandria Parade a Success

The good times rolled right through Central Louisiana over the weekend as thousands crowded the streets to catch beads, cups and candy.

Now, the day after, organizers and participants are calling Mardi Gras weekend a success.

News Channel Five's Brooke Buford was out at the Alexandria parade, she has a recap of how it went down. 

"Louisiana is the party place to be!" shouted a man in the crowd, as he caught his beads Sunday.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, Alexandria proved that to be true.

"This is the best spot. We live here. We hit this spot every year and Mardi Gras is awesome," said a group of other parade-goers.

This group was especially happy to have this spot, after the day before, it really did rain on their parade.

On Saturday, heavy rain washed away the children's parade. But on Sunday clear skies allowed the Krewe parade to continue, bringing out the crowds, crowds the Alexandria Police Department says, were well-behaved during the festivities.

"The crowd was very cooperative. We didn't have any reports of any disturbances," said Sgt. Bruce Fairbanks with APD. "We did not make any arrests. There were a couple verbal warnings issued for crossing the barricades, but it went very smoothly. Everybody had a great time."

That included the Krewe parade, which participants say Alexandria's parades can keep up with the best of them.

"Alexandria throws a great Mardi Gras," said Katie Vanderlick of the Krewe of Boogaloo. "Friday night, the Taste of Mardi Gras. Saturday, unfortunately the children's parade was canceled but those were circumstances out of our control. Saturday night that had a reception. And, Sunday was the parade. So we really do have a great Mardi Gras, a carnival season in Alexandria."

A season that's already on the minds of many for next year. Because in Alexandria, the good times roll...right into next year.