The parade to kick off many of the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo activities is coming to downtown Casper on July 9.

The parade will run from 10 a.m to noon. There will be floats, walking groups, classic cars, horses and bands.

This year’s parade theme is Cowboy Mardi Gras, and the best decorated floats will receive a cash prize.

Mardi Gras is a southern holiday that leads up to Lent. It is celebrated with large parades and elaborate floats. The holiday is also known for the large parties and celebrations held on the parade routes leading up the parades.

“We hope everyone embraces that theme and comes out,” said Marketing and Promotions Director Angela Berry.

The parade will start at David Street Station and run down 2nd Street. It will make a right onto Beech Street and then continue down Collins Drive. For the last leg of the parade, it will turn left onto Center Street until 9th Street.

These streets will be shut down during the parade.

Additional streets will be closed before the parade for staging. These include Walnut, Spruce, Oak and Elm streets along West Yellowstone Highway. Streets around the perimeter of the parade route will also be closed to all traffic.

The Council of People with Disabilities will have a parade viewing area that is ADA accessible. It is located on the south side of East Collins Drive between Beech and Durbin Street. There will also be an ADA accessible porta-potty at this location.

Additional temporary toilets will be available along the parade route.

The 2nd Street parking garage will not be available for parking for the parade, according to Jolene Martinez with the city’s Public Service Department.

Parade route roads and staging area will close starting at 6:45 a.m. Additional roads will be closed by 8 a.m.

The public parking garage may be difficult to get to after this point in time. Parade attendees should account for this and plan to arrive early. “It’s like an unofficial holiday here,” said Berry.