NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell and City officers as we speak introduced public security measures in place forward of the NCAA Men’s Final Four, National Championship and the March Madness Music Festival, that are anticipated to deliver a lot of guests to New Orleans. Residents are inspired to organize for heavy pedestrian and car visitors and to have fun safely all through the weekend.
“New Orleans is excited and prepared to host the NCAA Men’s Final Four for the sixth time in the city’s history. Because our people stayed the course and followed our health and safety guidelines, the City is well-equipped to host what will be the largest major sporting event to take place in New Orleans in quite some time,” mentioned Mayor Cantrell. “A safe and successful Final Four weekend depends on safe celebrations and preparation, and our public safety teams are ready and able to once again welcome tens of thousands of beloved college basketball fans back to the Caesars Superdome. We encourage both our residents and visitors to ‘know before you go,’ and we look forward to hosting the NCAA Final Four once again in the near future.”
The New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP) is totally dedicated to making sure that this nationwide occasion has the total assist of all public businesses. In response, NOHSEP will probably be activating the Event Command Post from Friday, April 1 to Monday, April 4 in assist of the NCAA Men’s Final Four and associated occasions.
NOHSEP will even be in fixed contact with representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force and the Louisiana State Analytical and Fusion Exchange (LA-SAFE) Fusion Center all through the weekend’s occasions.
In anticipation of the rise of holiday makers to our metropolis, the Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) will probably be activating Level 2 staffing. Level 2 will start at 7 a.m. on Friday, April 1 and finish 7 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6. As a reminder, name 9-1-1 for emergencies, and three-1-1 for non-emergencies.
Traffic Restrictions and No Parking Zones
The main areas for occasions embrace the Caesars Superdome, Champions Square, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and Woldenberg Park. Expect heavy pedestrian and vehicular visitors and use warning when touring in these areas.
In anticipation of huge crowds, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) could limit visitors to make sure the security of pedestrians.
The following “No Parking” zones will probably be in place beginning Friday, April 1 at 4 p.m. via Tuesday, April 5 at 6 a.m.:
- 700 and 800 blocks between Dauphine Street and Royal Street on each side of the next streets:
- Iberville Street
- Bienville Street
- Conti Street
- St. Louis Street
- Toulouse Street
- St. Peter Street
- Orleans Street
- St. Ann Street
- Both sides of Canal Street from Claiborne Avenue to Convention Center Boulevard
Residents and guests are reminded to at all times observe posted indicators. Parking enforcement personnel will probably be monitoring for unlawful parking.
- Do not block or park inside 15 toes of fireplace hydrants, block or park inside 3 toes of driveways, block sidewalks or park in fireplace lanes.
- Do not park in bike lanes.
- Do not park inside 20 toes of a crosswalk, intersection or cease signal.
- Call (504) 658-8100 for twenty-four-hour parking enforcement.
In anticipation of elevated ridership throughout weekend occasions, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) encourages riders to plan forward and pre-buy fare. Riders can obtain the RTA GoMobile app by way of the Apple App Store and Google Play. For up-to-date service data and extra, go to the company’s web site at www.norta.com or name Rideline at (504) 248-3900.
Schedule of Events
FRIDAY, APRIL 1
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Time
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Event
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Location
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10 a.m.
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Reese’s Men’s FREE Final Four Friday Doors Open
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Caesars Superdome
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12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
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Men’s Final Four Fan Fest Open
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Morial Convention Center
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4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
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March Madness Music Festival
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Woldenberg Park
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SATURDAY, APRIL 2
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Time
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Event
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Location
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10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
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Men’s Final Four Fan Fest Open
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Morial Convention Center
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2:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
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March Madness Music Festival
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Woldenberg Park
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5:09 p.m.
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Semifinal 1 Tip-Off
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Caesars Superdome
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7:49 p.m.
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Semifinal 2 Tip-Off
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Caesars Superdome
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SUNDAY, APRIL 3
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Time
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Event
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Location
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12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
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Men’s Final Four Fan Fest Open
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Morial Convention Center
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3 p.m.
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HBCU All-Star Game – Broadcast on CBS
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University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena
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3 p.m.
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Men’s Final Four Dribble introduced by Buick begins
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Mississippi River Heritage Park – John Churchill Chase Street, New Orleans
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3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
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March Madness Music Festival
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Woldenberg Park
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MONDAY, APRIL 4
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Time
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Event
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Location
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12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
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Men’s Final Four Fan Fest Open
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Morial Convention Center
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8:20 p.m.
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Championship Tip-Off
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Caesars Superdome
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For extra details about occasions this weekend, go to the NCAA Men’s Final Four web site.
Safety Reminders
As at all times throughout main particular occasions, residents and guests are inspired to take care in massive crowds and to report suspicious exercise to public security officers. As a reminder:
- Verify the id of rideshare drivers earlier than getting contained in the car.
- Residents and guests are inspired to stroll in teams when attainable.
- When strolling, please keep in nicely-lit areas; extra lighting towers will probably be positioned all through the CBD and French Quarter in occasion areas.
Details on particular occasions can be found at prepared.nola.gov/occasions. Residents and guests are additionally inspired to observe us on social media @nolaready and join emergency alerts. Residents ought to textual content NOLAREADY to 77295 to enroll in emergency alerts.
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