Thousands of partygoers will gather tonight for live music, elaborate costumes and alcohol at the annual Carlotta Street Halloween block party.
Jay Price, a resident of the Carlotta Street area, said the North Gate Merchants Association will have at least two beer trucks as well as food trucks.
Bands will play on several stages along Carlotta Street. Price said nine bands are booked to play “on the stage next to the yellow house,” and a disk jockey will play upstairs in the house.
After two conflicting Facebook groups debated the date of the party — Friday or Saturday — representatives from both parties met with the Baton Rouge Police Department and agreed on the Friday party.
“They’re not there to give us a hard time,” Price said about BRPD’s involvement. “They’re going to make sure we’ll have a good time.”
Kaitlyn Stockwell, theater senior, said she will probably go Friday night dressed as “Troop Beverly Hills” character Phyllis Nefler. Stockwell said some students are going Saturday night, and this is the first year the party might occur on two nights.
The police will start blocking off State Street around 6:30 p.m. today, so people who are parked there will not be able to leave, Price said.
Price advised partygoers who arrive late to park in the Hart commuter parking lot between Kirby-Smith Hall and The Venue at North Gate apartment complex. The lots are available for anyone to park after 4:30 p.m.
Price said the streets around the lake on Dalrymple and West Lakeshore drives are also good places to park.
Price warned against parking in the new College Row shopping area lot.
The weather tonight is forecasted to be clear, with a low temperature of 41 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
“The weather is going to be great,” Price said. “I have a really good feeling about it.”
Harrison Barnes, international studies senior, is going Friday night dressed as a mummy or zombie.
“I’m always a fan of people dressing up as politicians like Sarah Palin,” Barnes said.
 
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Contact Catherine Threlkeld at [email protected]