The party’s over

PLENTY OF BEADS BUT NO BODIES litter South Main in St. Martinville after the New Comer’s Club Mardi Gras Parade. The parade drew an estimated 20,000 spectators, not quite as heavy as in the past. The threatening weather that undoubtedly contributed to the lighter crowds held off. See more photos on Page A-10.

Despite rumors of an armed showdown between youths from St. Martinville and New Iberia, Sunday’s Mardi Gras festivities came to a relatively peaceful close.

Maj. Ginny Higgins of the St. Martin Sheriff’s Office said at least two shots were fired but nobody was hit and arrests were made.

Another man was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, and there were 15 other citations for relatively minor infractions.

The lure of the Super Bowl and the threat of rain undoubtedly contributed to a lighter crowd than in previous years.