§ 6-82. Floats.

(a)

Float sizes shall be as follows:

(1)

A regular krewe float shall not be less than twenty-three (23) feet in length, no more than twelve (12) feet in width and no more than seventeen (17) feet, six (6) inches in height from the street level, and must have a minimum of ten (10) riders in costume. An officers' float shall be considered as a krewe float. A captain, royalty or grand marshal float shall not be considered as a krewe float.

(2)

A mini float shall be any float that is smaller than a regular krewe float.

(3)

A tandem krewe float is considered to be two (2) krewe floats, and shall be two (2) floats joined together, no more than ninety (90) feet long, no more than twelve (12) feet wide and no more than seventeen (17) feet six (6) inches in height from the street level.

(b)

Each float shall depict the theme, color, design and overall composition as dictated by the captain of the krewe.

(c)

Each pull vehicle pulling a float shall store, and have readily accessible to the driver, at least one (1) ten-pound or two (2) five-pound Underwriters listed ABC fire extinguishers. Drivers shall be able to demonstrate that the driver is familiar with, and will be able to properly operate the fire extinguisher.

(d)

Each float, except a mini float, shall have stairs or another similar type of permanent construction for entering or exiting the float.

(e)

Each float shall at minimum have a three-eighth-inch ( 3/8; ") safety chain, connected by a weld or appropriate size shackle, and placed between the float and the pull vehicle; said shackle must be attached to the structure of the pulled vehicle. Float providers shall be responsible for ensuring chains and shackles have sufficient capacity to accommodate the anticipated pull load of a fully-weighted float, complete with riders and throws.

(f)

Each float, except a mini float, shall contain an approved sanitary facility sufficient to accommodate the number of riders thereon and contract to pump out, haul and dispose of waste from the float's sanitary facility.

(g)

Each float in a night parade shall be illuminated.

(h)

Each float parade shall have a minimum of ten (10) krewe floats. A tandem float shall count as two floats. Mini-floats shall be permitted but shall not be counted to fulfill the minimal krewe float requirement set forth herein.

(i)

All decorations and attachments on each float shall be securely fastened, with no sharp, pointed, or cornered objects on the exterior.

(j)

Floats may be pulled by a mule, horse, tractor, and similar vehicles providing the driver with a clear and unobstructed 360 degree view with a maximum tire height of thirty (30) inches. The operator shall have visible access to the front and sides of the vehicle in his control.

(k)

Interior height shall be forty (40) inches from deck of float to the top of railing or safety harnesses shall be provided. Children less than twelve (12) years of age shall utilize safety harnesses.

(l)

All floats shall have bead racks or hook devices for beads. The use of nails to hang beads is prohibited. Hammering of nails on floats in the assembly area is strictly prohibited. Persons and/or floats in violation of this provision are subject to be removed from parade.

(m)

No protruding nails shall be allowed on floats.

(n)

All tires on floats and vehicle pulling floats shall be in good condition.

(o)

A "no smoking" sign shall be securely attached to the interior exit door(s) and the interior of the restroom door. Said sign shall be plainly visible to all occupants of a float, mini float or tandem float.

(p)

Any devices producing theatrical smoke, fog, and other haze-like effects, shall not be used without prior approval of the Jefferson Parish Fire Department.

(q)

At all times, all exits must be clear for entering or exiting the float.

(r)

No float rider shall sit on the ledge and/or railing of a float. No float rider shall stand on anything other than the float deck/floor. If the float rider's height requires standing on an object other than the deck/floor of the float to adequately participate in the parade, the object shall be secure and the rider shall be harnessed to the float.

(s)

All new tandem floats that have not been used for any prior carnival parade season, must be field tested at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the carnival season and approved by the office.

(t)

Floats shall not have installed or employ any speakers or other equipment to direct amplified recorded music or other sounds towards the street-side, curb-side, front or rear of the float when the direction and volume of such sounds is likely to substantially interfere with or which actually interferes with the parade-goers' ability to hear music being played by marching bands in the parade.

(Ord. No. 23544, § 1, 5-6-09; Ord. No. 23925, § 5, 12-8-10; Ord. No. 24176, § 7, 12-7-11; Ord. No. 24368, § 3, 11-7-12; Ord. No. 25688 , § 5, 10-24-18)