LAFAYETTE, La. – Patients and families at Women’s & Children’s Hospital on Friday, Feb. 9 were treated to an exclusive Mardi Gras parade made just for them.

Hospital departments got in on the fun, creating specially designed floats for the occasion, dressing up and participating in the Second Line, which made its way through Pediatrics, the Aquarium Lobby, Outpatient Services Waiting Area and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

This was the third year the Krewe of Gabriel participated in the parade at Women’s & Children’s. “This is the only hospital in Lafayette where we do this,” said Richard Domingue with the Krewe of Gabriel. “It’s such a joy to see their smiles. They can’t be at Mardi Gras festivities, so we bring Mardi Gras to them. This will continue to be an annual tradition for us.”