“We tasked our team following the tragedy in New Orleans to look at everything ... for downtown parades in partnership with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Check out all the photos: Pensacola kicks off Mardi Gras season Reeves said Tuesday ...

The annual Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Mardi Gras Parade took over Palafox just a little while ago. It was a busy night down there. Lots of people in the community came out to get into the festivities. And local law enforcement made sure everyone was safe during the event. This parade kicked off Mardi Gras weekend in Pensacola.

Cars along the route are too big a security risk after the attack in New Orleans and all cars will be towed, city officials warn.

The city of Pensacola will increase Mardi Gras parade safety through road closure extensions one block further than in previous years. For the Krewe of Lafitte Parade on

Pensacola Beach has its annual Mardi Gras Day Parade on Sunday at 2 p.m. hosted by the Krewe of Wrecks. With thousands of people expected to come out, safety is a priority for Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons. He says he'll be adding additional deputies this year to the parade route.

On Friday, the Krewe of Lafitte Illuminated Mardi Gras Parade kicks off at 7:30 p.m., with road closures starting at 5:30 p.m.. On Saturday, the Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade begins at 2 p.m., with road closures starting at 11 a.m.

Keith Carson, this year’s president of the Krewe of Lafitte − one of the largest men’s krewes along the Florida ... plugged into a Pensacola krewe, versus in New Orleans, is the connection ...

Pensacola is closing more roads for Mardi Gras parades this year to increase security. For the first time, the city will close Main Street for the parade and other road closures will be pushed out ...