Southdowns, Spanish Town parades roll

Stick around in Baton Rouge Friday and Saturday for more Mardi Gras mayhem. The Southdowns parade rolls through the neighborhood south of Perkins Road, starting at 7 p.m. Watch homemade floats — themed around the Eye of the Storm — and try to catch the coveted Southdowns doubloon. Visit southdowns.org for a parade map and other details. But the best-ever thing about Baton Rouge Mardi Gras is the Spanish Town parade at noon, which snakes through the historic neighborhood near the state Capitol—just make sure to not blind yourself by all the hot pink. This year’s theme, Buy Yeaux Bailout, is sure to rile up some political incorrectness. Visit spanishtownmardigras.com for parade map and more details.