by James Coulter
In the event that construction at Park Avenue is completed, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras Parade is expected to travel along that road as part of this year’s parade route.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Feb. 4, 2025, Lake Wales City Commissioners voted unanimously to approve its consent agenda. One item pertained to a revised route for the Lake Wales Mardi Gras parade.
The new route is expected to start at First Street, then make its way along Park, Stuart, and Central Avenue before ending at Lakeshore Boulevard at Lake Wailes Park, where the main celebration will be held.
The special permit for the parade was initially approved by the City Commission at their meeting on Jan. 7. However, the proposed route has omitted Park Avenue due to ongoing construction.
If construction has concluded at Park Avenue by the time of the Mardi Gras celebration, the streets for the parade route will be closed temporarily during the hours of 2 PM and 5 PM.
The City of Lake Wales will provide in-kind services for the parade budgeted in the amount of $8,722, with The Lake Wales Mardi Gras Committee being responsible for 25 percent, or $2,180.
