It's Pensacola Mardi Gras parade weekend! Here's what you need to have the best experience

The Publix Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday is expected to bring up to 80,000 people to downtown Pensacola for a family-friendly afternoon of "bon temps," or good times.

From what time the parade gets rolling, to what roads will be closed, to what the weather will be, here's everything you need to know about the event.

What is the Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade?

The largest and most extravagant parade in Pensacola, the Grand Mardi Gras Parade features most of the Mardi Gras krewes from the area, floats created by many local organizations and companies, and everything from marching bands to Scout groups, according to the parade website. The parade has over 6,000 people who participate in front of tens of thousands of spectators lining downtown Pensacola.

The event is for all ages, and spectators along the parade route are showered with beads, Moon Pies, toys and other goodies. In addition to the traditional viewing areas, organizers also include an alcohol- and tobacco-free children's viewing area.

Related: Pensacola Mardi Gras officially kicks off Saturday. Here's what's on tap for 2024

When and where does the parade start?

The parade takes place on Palafox and Garden streets in downtown Pensacola. Rain or shine, it begins at 2 p.m. and continues until around 6 p.m. Streets are estimated to reopen around 7 p.m.

Prior to the start of the parade at 1:30 p.m., a second line processional of Krewe Royalty led by 2024 King & Queen Priscus, Amy Miller and Norm Cain from Krewe of Anarchy, will start at Government and Palafox streets, where royalty from all Krewes in the parade have the opportunity to second line to the start of the parade at Garden and Spring streets.

The parade will kick off with a flyover by NAS Pensacola-based Training Air Wing Six, led by Captain Douglas White, as the parade turns down Palafox Street.

What is the parade route?

The parade begins at the intersection of Garden and Spring streets, travels east on Garden Street, then turns north onto Palafox Street. At Wright Street, the parade loops back to the south, traveling down Palafox and terminating on Main Street.

What roads will be closed?

Road closures will be in effect in downtown Pensacola on Friday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, Feb. 10, for the annual Krewe of Lafitte Mardi Gras Parade and Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade.

• Friday, Feb. 9: Float staging area closures begin around 4:30 p.m. and parade route closures begin around 5 p.m. Parade begins at 7:30 p.m.

• Saturday, Feb. 10: Float staging area closures begin around 10:30 a.m. and parade route closures begin around 11:30 a.m.

Drivers and pedestrians are reminded to use caution in the area. Heavy parade and float traffic is also expected along Main Street between Reus Street and Jefferson Street.

Where can I watch the parade?

Barricaded viewing areas are set up all around the parade route, and spectators can set up shop anywhere along the way.

The kids viewing zone will be located in the median on Palafox between Garden and Wright Streets where Palafox Market is typically located, according to tourism organization VisitPensacola. Parking and the viewing area are first come, first served. There will be no bleachers in the viewing area.

The accessible viewing area is on the corner of Gregory Street and the west side of Palafox. Accessible parking is available on the corner of Gregory and Palafox, across from the Smart Bank.

Here are a few more tips from VisitPensacola:

• The best place to be? At the beginning of the parade route, where they are super generous with throws and then at the end, where they are trying to get rid of everything that’s left.

• Don’t worry about pushing your way to the barricades to catch throws. Krewes are experts and know how to toss beads and goodies to the less aggressive folk and the “stroller set” in the back.

• Don’t squabble over throws. There is always going to be another string of plastic beads flying toward you.

Where do I park?

Parking spaces will be in high demand on parade day, so spectators should plan to show up early and/or walk a little ways to reach the parade. Parking spaces managed by the city will be denoted by blue signage, while much of the private parking will have red signage. Here's what you should know:

City-owned parking lots

Paid parking on city streets (not closed by the parade) will be enforced Saturday and the fee is $0.50 per hour.

The city’s parking garage on Jefferson Street, the North Palafox Lot, and the City Hall parking lot will be $20 for the day.

The city of Pensacola offers several ways for patrons to start a parking session, including text-to-pay, the ParkMobile app or through a physical kiosk. More information on all three options is available at parkpensacola.com, but here are the basics:

Text to Pay - Text 'PARK' to 77223, and you will immediately receive a response to select your parking time and process your parking payment.

Pay by App - Download the ParkMobile app on Google Play or the App Store to pay for parking securely with your debit or credit card and extend your session on the go. If you're looking to validate your parking session, you'll need to download the app.

Pay at a pay station – Look for PARKPensacola pay stations with the teal signs to park at city-managed lots, on-street parking, and the Jefferson Street Garage. If you start a parking session by paying at a pay station, you can also extend your time via the app instead of having to go back to the pay station. You do not need to keep or display your receipt.

Private parking lots

Premium Parking, which previously managed the city’s parking but no longer does, manages private lots downtown and charges higher rates than the city. A list of parking lot locations with a list of hourly rates and the option to reserve parking in advance is available at premiumparking.com/city/pensacola/pensacola-mardi-gras-parades.

Additionally, there are some business along the parade route that will allow community groups like the Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts and schools to charge a fee for people to park in their lot.

What's the weather forecast?

According to the National Weather Service in Mobile, Alabama, it will be mostly cloudy Saturday with a 40% chance of showers. The high is forecast to be around 69 degrees, with a low of 62 degrees Saturday night.

The parade is scheduled to go on rain or shine.

Mardi Gras 2024 season key dates

• Friday, 7:30 p.m.: Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Parade

• Saturday, 2 p.m.: Publix Pensacola Mardi Gras Grand Parade

• Sunday, 2 p.m.: Krewe of Wrecks Pensacola Beach Parade

• Tuesday, 11 a.m.: Publix French Quarter Fat Tuesday Celebration presented by Wind Creek Hotel & Casino. Lunch starts at 11 a.m., party starts at 5 p.m. at Seville Quarter. Twelve of Pensacola’s best Krewe’s are hosting seven rooms of entertainment.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Mardi Gras Parade parking, time, route, kids area