WFAA-TV

MystiQal attracted a much bigger crowd than planners expected.

DALLAS — Workers were out early Sunday morning cleaning up after Saturday night's huge Mardi Gras celebration in downtown Dallas.

The MystiQal festivities included the first nighttime parade in Dallas in more than a decade.

While planners had expected a crowd of about 5,000 people for the Victory Park event, police estimated the turnout at 35,000. Additional officers and a SWAT unit were called to the scene to provide security.

Dallas police made five arrests.

"We're letting traffic move through Victory Park now," said Deputy Chief Vincent Golbeck. "The parade is over and I think that will help with the crowd control in the streets."

MystiQal featured marching bands, floats, and the traditional tossing of beads. A street festival and live entertainment continued until the scheduled 11 p.m. finale.

"It's a wonderful thing, and I love this place," said a woman who was drenched in plastic beads and baubles.

"I couldn't be in New Orleans, so I'm really happy New Oreleans came to me," added a man wearing a Loyola University sweatshirt.

The MystiQal festivities were a reminder of the last big party at Victory Park on New Year's Eve, which also exceeded the crowd estimates of event planners.

E-mail bgreene@wfaa.com