With Mardi Gras just days away, those who live in Opelousas won’t have to travel too far to celebrate. The old Frank’s Half Fast parade is back, with a new name and some different perks.
Frank’s Poboys can be seen right off of East Landry Street. Now, under new management, they’ve brought the city’s largest mardi gras parade.
“It used to be the Franks krewe parade. Now to make it more inclusive, and to include any and everyone from Opelousas, it’s the Opelousas Imperial Parade,” Michael Fontenot said.
Fontenot is the new owner of Frank’s, and he said the parade didn’t happen last year for several different reasons. He says he is now ready to give the city what it deserves.
“The parade is back. Wow we have the ball, we have entertainment downtown, I mean we have a whole plethora of things to do now for mardi gras,” Fontenot said.
Fontenot says he knew he wanted to keep residents from traveling outside of the city to enjoy mardi gras. He says he’s thankful for the city’s leaders and their support.
“It’s good for Opelousas. It’s good for the community. It’ll bring people from all over southwest Louisiana and so we support that idea.” Chief Martin McLendon said.
This year’s King and Queen are eager to watch it all unfold.
“It’s good to see the culture back coming together, and it’s good to see the community leading the efforts and bringing back tradition,” Dustin Miller said.
“To get them together in one setting, just loving their town and supporting it.I think its amazing and important,” Kristy Boagni said.
The parade rolls at 10am on Mardi Gras day and the ball is on February 23rd at 7pm.
