Chalmette is set to turn out in a big way Thursday evening, as a hometown parade honoring NBA champion Mitchell Robinson rolls through town and sends traffic on a bit of a detour. St. Bernard Parish officials are coordinating the celebration, which will funnel fans toward Chalmette High School, while the sheriff’s office says deputies will be out along the route to handle safety and traffic control for the community’s homegrown star.
Parade Route And Start Time
The procession is scheduled to begin at about 6:30 p.m. and will move east along Judge Perez Drive from the Chalmette Mall to Chalmette High School. As reported by Crescent City Sports, the route runs roughly 1.6 miles and starts near 8700 W. Judge Perez Drive before ending at 1100 E. Judge Perez Drive. Fans are encouraged to show up in Chalmette’s maroon and white to cheer Robinson on his victory lap through the neighborhood.
Traffic Changes And Safety Measures
Per a post from the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office on Facebook, eastbound Judge Perez Drive will be closed beginning at 5:00 p.m. from Jean Lafitte Parkway to Palmisano Boulevard, and eastbound traffic will be diverted south onto Jean Lafitte Parkway to St. Bernard Highway. The post states that southbound Palmisano Boulevard between Judge Perez Drive and Ohio Street will be closed until approximately 8:00 p.m., while westbound lanes on Judge Perez Drive will remain open for local access. Deputies will be stationed along the route to assist with traffic control, provide security and help ensure a safe celebration, Sheriff James Pohlmann said in the post.
Who Is Mitchell Robinson?
Robinson is a Chalmette High School graduate who helped the New York Knicks capture an NBA championship, becoming the first player from St. Bernard Parish to be an NBA champion, local outlets report. WAFB detailed how Robinson has kept close ties to the community through youth basketball camps and return visits. Local sports outlets including WDSU and Crescent City Sports have been tracking his path from a McDonald’s All-American to the pros.
Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, expect delays and use alternate routes, the sheriff’s office added, noting that construction equipment on Jean Lafitte Parkway will be cleared before the procession. If you are heading into Chalmette Thursday evening, allow extra travel time and follow directions from posted signs and deputies on scene. For full details and any last-minute updates, see the post from the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office on Facebook.
