NEW ORLEANS — City crews were out in force before Wednesday's parades. Dump trucks and city trucks made loops around St. Charles and Napoleon all morning and afternoon grabbing ladders and other items and throwing them into trash bags and trucks.
Hours before Wednesday's parades, people were seen lining the route.
"This morning we came out and with our neighbors and friends and made our little area and so now we're guarding it," said Alison Wild.
"He has three kids, I have two kids, they have friends, we have friends, we all want to be together," said Jason Smith.
Tarps, chairs, and other things were placed on neutral grounds and sidewalks being closely guarded. Other belongings though were left unattended, with the hopes that spot would be saved.
"I have seen a lot of camaraderie," said Wild. "And people grouping together and helping each other out and spreading out and making sure things are protected."
For some, that didn't go quite as planned. New rules discourage people from setting up more than four hours before parade-time. So city crews came out first thing taking items left along the route.
"Those guys have been circling like clockwork," said Smith. "We had our stuff here, we moved it across the street where those two ladders are, then we moved it back and then we moved it back."
One of the city's official Twitter handles, @NOLAready, tweeted reminders about the new rules Wednesday.
"I think it's a waste of taxpayer's dollars," said Wild. "It's pointless, people will be back out here with all of their stuff and a brand new tarp."
As crews worked, and people tried to dodge them, time was of the essence.
"It's tough to see a kid's ladder get picked up and put in the back of a dump truck," said Brennan Fournerat. "And so you see a little handprint or Caroline written on the back you know, it's rough."
"I think we're comfortable right now and then 2 pm as law dictates we'll set up ladders," said Smith.
And while many don't agree with the cleanup, they weren't going to let crews rain on their parade or throw away their fun.
"It's a little intimidating," said Wild. "But we're here, we're camped, we're ready."
"I look forward to this," said Fournerat. "Christmas, eh, Halloween is pretty fun, Mardi Gras though that's where it's at, that's a good time."
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