Asheville, NC (828newsNOW) – The vibrant Mardi Gras Parade will return to downtown Asheville on Sunday, March 2, promising a day filled with festivities as the community gathers to “Let the Good Times Roll” with Animalia fun. The parade is set to kick off traditional celebrations with a lineup and float assembly starting at 10:00 a.m. on Southside Avenue.
The parade’s step-off is scheduled for 3:05 p.m., beginning at the intersection of Southside and Coxe Avenue. Participants will travel north along Coxe Avenue, meandering through Buxton Avenue and Banks Avenue before concluding at Federal Alley.
In preparation for the event, several streets will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 10:00 a.m. and will remain closed until approximately 6:00 p.m. once cleanup is completed. Street closures will affect Southside Avenue between Biltmore and Short Coxe Avenue, Coxe Avenue between Banks Avenue and Southside Avenue, and several other nearby streets.
Attendees are advised that all on-street parking along the parade route will be unavailable on Sunday, and towing will be enforced. The City of Asheville will place bright yellow “NO PARKING” signs along the route on Friday in advance of the event. Parking in private lots within the closed areas will be accessible until the parade begins, but drivers should plan accordingly as roads will not reopen until cleanup is finished.
For those seeking parking, nearby garages include the Biltmore Avenue/Aloft Hotel parking garage at 60 S. Lexington Ave. and the Coxe Avenue parking garage at 40 Coxe Ave.
City officials have confirmed that the parade is not expected to impact ART transit services this year.
