JEANERETTE, La. (KLFY) – After a deadly shooting at last year’s Jeanerette Mardi Gras parade, there were several changes made to this year’s parade route and rules.

 Dante Archangel, 22, was killed at the Jeanerette Mardi Gras parade in 2018.

There have been rumors of retaliation, and because of that, security will be beefed up and in full force.

Jeanerette Mardi Gras is a day many people in the town look forward to each year.

Because of violence at last year’s parade, Jeanerette City Marshal Fernest Martin is implementing a few changes.

“We have increased the manpower tremendously. They’re going to see a great number of uniformed officers as well as on uniformed officers in the area to try and curtail any type of criminal activity,” the marshal said.

Marshal Martin says more than 50 law enforcement officers will be along the parade route, that route has also been modified.

The parade will now start at the corner of Main Street and Canal, before traveling down Canal to MLK Dr., past King Joseph Park, to Pellerin and back to Main Street.

The marshal says they also won’t allow people to carry backpacks, those who do will be subject to a search in an attempt to keep the parade a firearm free event.

“Far as the mask, we know it’s Mardi Gras but if they’re going to come there with bandannas on their faces, we’re going to ask that they remove them and take the necessary steps that we have to within the law.”

If you plan on attending the parade, get there early because roads leading to the parade route will be closed at 11:30 p.m.

The parade starts at 1 p.m. this Sunday, February 24.

Marshal Martin says once the roads have been closed the only people that will be allowed to enter are those returning home, and hey must have valid identification.