Mardi Gras parades roll out over the weekend

Baton Rouge launches full-force into carnival season as three Mardi Gras parades roll through downtown this weekend. Kicking things off is the all-female Krewe of Artemis Friday at 7 p.m., following its traditional route beginning and ending at the corner of St. Philip and Government streets. More information and the route can be found at kreweofartemis.net. On Saturday, the Krewe Mystique de la Capitale and Krewe of Orion will fill the streets at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively. More info at krewemystique.com and kreweoforion.com.