LAFAYETTE, La. — Lafayette Consolidated Government announced Monday that next year's Mardi Gras parade route will roll down Jefferson Street in the downtown area, marking a return to a historic route.

The new route will have parades enter Jefferson Street at Cypress Street and continue along Jefferson until the intersection of Johnston Street, then follow the route used in recent years.

"If we have the opportunity, the ability, and the manpower to make Mardi Gras roll down Jefferson Street, why not try it?" said Chris Villemarette, president of the Greater Southwest Mardi Gras Association.

Villemarette said the change marks a return to an older parade route, the first time it’s been used since 1897.

"We put in the time, conducted some test runs and they worked flawlessly, so let's try

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