Dear Loyola,

We’re counting down the days to Fat Tuesday. As the parade schedule ramps up, remember to pace yourself and get plenty of rest. Read on for more tips to stay safe on the route. Here’s hoping for coconuts, clean bathrooms, and king cake for all!

Parade Day Packing List

Sunscreen
Snacks (keep scrolling for ideas!)
Refillable water bottle
Hand sanitizer
Wet wipes
A small amount of cash
License/state ID
Health insurance card
Rain gear
Ear plugs
Fully-charged phone
Portable battery
A bag for personal items and throws
Glitter!

Steps to Parade Like a Pro

Plan your ‘fit for the day.

Wear comfy, closed-toe shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Check the forecast. You may need an umbrella, sunglasses, and a scarf all in one day. February weather in New Orleans is notoriously unpredictable.

Get your parade krewe together.

Always go to parades with a buddy or group of trusted friends. Take a "safety selfie" of your group at the start of the day so you have a photo of what everyone is wearing in case someone gets lost. Share your location with a friend using the Find My app for iPhone or Location Sharing for Android.

Map out your day.

Pick a designated meeting spot in case your group gets separated. Don’t forget to plan a bathroom location, too! Many businesses on the route close their bathrooms or charge a fee to use their restrooms so plan ahead. Once you find your spot, track parades using the Routewise app.

Watch out on the route.

Whether you’re team sidewalk side or team neutral ground, stay alert when parades are rolling. Stay behind barricades and listen to public safety officials. Don’t cross the street between floats or while marching bands are passing by. Never reach for throws that land near passing floats.

Drink responsibly.

Follow the golden rule of parades: pace yourself. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated while you are out on the route. Do not accept beverages from someone you do not know or trust. Always watch your drink and never leave it unattended. Know the signs of alcohol poisoning.

Make a plan to get home safely.

Appoint a designated driver or plan to use a ride share service. Don’t accept a ride from someone who is intoxicated. Expect crowds and traffic delays. Some roads may be inaccessible during parades. Bring a helmet and lights if you plan to ride a bicycle.

Look out for each other.

Our Amnesty Policy calls on us to do the right thing and seek medical assistance for ourselves and others in instances of excess alcohol and/or drug use, both on and off campus. Put the LUPD phone number in your phone now in case you need assistance: 504-865-3434.

Get Support in an Emergency

Look out for any suspicious activity and contact first responders to get help in an emergency.

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to LUPD at 504-865-3434 (if on campus), call 9-1-1 (if off campus), or find a nearby first responder on the route immediately.
First aid stations are located along the parade route and available to help with medical emergencies starting one hour before the first float of the first parade.

Make sure your emergency contact information is up to date.

Sign into LORA Self-Service through your Single Sign-On (SSO)
Click “User Options” from the left side menu
Select “Emergency Information” and check that you have an accurate emergency contact listed
The contact should not be your own personal information

Nutrition and wellness tips from Kelsey Rosenbaum, MS, RD, LDN.

Mardi Gras safety means nourishing yourself, too. It’s important to keep yourself fueled and hydrated so you can enjoy the best time of the year. Here are four tips from a registered dietitian who also loves Mardi Gras!

Tip #1: Be prepared! Stock your dorm so you can eat before and after the parades. Here are some ideas for easy and filling snacks:

Yogurt parfaits (great for any time of day)
Grapes and cheese (perfect snack to munch on as you put on your parade glitter)
Sandwiches or wraps like PB&J or turkey and cheese
Apples + peanut butter (great combination of protein and carbohydrates)

Tip #2: Know where to get food on campus. Businesses, stores, and Loyola Dining will have different hours during Mardi Gras. Here’s where you can find food on campus!

Tip #3: Don’t forget fanny pack snacks! Keep these portable snacks simple, but make sure they have protein and carbohydrates to keep you full while you’re catching those throws! These are my favorite fanny pack snacks: peanut butter + crackers, protein bars like KIND bars or Cliff bars, and trail mix.

Tip #4: Stay hydrated! Staying hydrated will make your entire Mardi Gras experience much more enjoyable! Make sure your dorm is stocked with a variety of hydrating beverages, and don’t forget to bring them to the parade routes! My favorites are:

Water or AHA Sparkling Water
Coconut Water
Unsweetened drinks like tea and Vitamin Water Zero Sugar, PowerAde Zero Sugar, or BodyArmor Lyte
Electrolytes packs like Liquid IV can be helpful to rehydrate, but limit these to one a day
CorePower or low-fat milk are great for a quick snack

A roundup of announcements and resources available on campus this month.

Anxiety Management Workshops: The UCC hosts anxiety management workshops every Thursday, from 12:30 – 1 :30 p.m. on Zoom. These workshops will focus on building skills and techniques to reduce feelings of anxiety and improve daily functioning. They are free, open to all students, and no sign up is necessary. View the schedule and Zoom links.

COVID-19 Boosters Available: Eligible students can receive Moderna bivalent booster shots in Student Health. Make your appointment now! If you have any questions, call Student Health Services at 504-865-3326, available M – F, 8:30 a.m. – 4:45 p.m.

Priority Health Free Screening Event: Our partners at Priority Health will return on Thursday, March 9 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and 2 – 4 p.m to provide confidential health screenings, rapid STD/STI testing, and blood pressure/glucose readings. There will also be gift cards and giveaways, educational info, and light refreshments. Their mobile unit will be set up in the Mercy Hall parking lot.

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