Mardi Gras

A Uniquely Lafayette Mardi Gras

Allons a Lafayette, where the music is hotter, the cuisine is spicier and Mardi Gras is friendlier. Enjoy parades, balls, festivals and cultural traditions throughout the season. We call it joie de vivre. You'll call it fun!

2012 Lafayette Mardi Gras Schedule

Feb. 3
Krewe des Chiens - People Ball
Abacus, Lafayette
7 p.m.
$45 per person
337-501-7693
www.paradefordogs.com

Feb. 5
Courir de Mardi Gras - Old-Fashion Mardi Gras Run- Lafayette
10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Rd.
The Basile Mardi Gras Association returns to stir up mischief and fun by bringing their country Mardi Gras to the city. Adults - $8.00 Senior Citizens - $6.50 Children - $5.00 Under 6 yrs. - FREE Memberships honored. AAA Members receive $1.00-OFF admission.
337-233-4077
www.bayouvermilion.org

Feb. 10
Krewe of Andalusia Mardi Gras Parade
Held annually 2nd Friday before Mardi Gras; 6:30 p.m.—till
Historic Downtown, 102 W Main St, New Iberia
Mardi Gras Parade, w/Marching Bands, Dance Groups, Mardi Gras Royalty.
337-367-6466

Feb. 11
Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Parade-Lake Arthur
Mardi Gras parade and activities.
337-774-3675

Feb. 11
Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette at 6:30 p.m.
Known for colorful floats, rocking bands and some of the best beads and throws in Acadiana! Free Admission.
337-984-6522
www.riolafayette.com

Feb. 11
Krewe des Chiens Parade for Dogs-Downtown, Lafayette
Parade at 2 p.m.; Registration opens at Noon
A Mardi Gras event for the whole family! Join the fun and walk your dog in our parade! Costumes encouraged but not required. 2012 Theme: "Barkin' at the Ritz". Open to all breeds, sizes and orgins of dogs; $25 registration fee in advance; $35 day of parade.
www.paradefordogs.com

Feb. 11
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade
11 a.m.
Starts at Carencro High. Ends by Carencro Community Center.
Organized by the Carencro Mardi Gras Association, the parade begins at Carencro High School. Free Admission.
337-896-4147
www.cityofcarencro.org

Feb. 11
Rotary Club Mardi Gras Ball
Held the 2nd Saturday before Mardi Gras; 7 p.m.
Cade Community Center, St. Martinville
Annual Mardi Gras and Gala pageantry of selective theme of the year. Presentation of King and Queen and their court. This year’s theme is "King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette." Music provided by the band Side Show. Admission: $25 ticket
337-394-2233
www.stmartinville.org

Feb. 12
Scott Mardi Gras Parade- City of Scott, Louisiana
1 p.m.
Parade travels through our city with many throws, floats, and Family fun. We at the Begnaud House will be hosting a family friendly Jam session begining about 10 a.m.-till. Parade travels 100 yards on the west side of the Begnaud House. So come spend the day with us, and bring the family.
337-269-5155

Feb. 12
Krewe of Ezana Jeanerette Mardi Gras Parade
Held annually 2 Sunday's before Mardi Gras;  1 p.m.
Canal, MLK & Main St, Jeanerette
Mardi Gras Parade, w/Marching Bands, Dance Groups, Mardi Gras Royalty
337-365-1540

Feb. 17
Friday Night Parade- Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
6:30 p.m.
Featuring multiple krewes from the Greater Southwest Mardi Gras Association. Free Admission.
800-346-1958
www.lafayette.travel

Feb. 17-21
Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette- Cajun Field, Lafayette
Presented by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association, the festival includes an exciting carnival midway, native Cajun foods and an outstanding line-up of live entertainment. To make the festival a complete Mardi Gras experience, all of Lafayette's parades roll through the festival grounds. 800-346-1958
http://lafayettemardigrasfestival.com

Feb. 17-19
51st Courir de Mardi Gras- Downtown, Churchpoint
Fri. 5-10:30 p.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sun. 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saddle Tramp Club House, 1036 E. Ebey St.; Downtown for parades, Church Point
Fri.-Gumbo cook-off, Sat.-Children's Run & Children's Parade, Sun.-Adult Run & Courir de Mardi Gras Parade. Carnival and live entertainment each day. Free Admission.
877-783-2109
www.churchpointmardigras.com

Feb. 18
Jennings Mardi Gras Festival & Parade
10:30 a.m. – until
Founder's Park, Main St., Jennings
Activities begin in Founder's park on Main Street at 10:30 a.m. Great food 10:30 a.m.-noon. Great classic Cajun music on stage. Parade begins at 4:30 p.m. Music and dance following parade. Free Admission.
337-821-5532
www.cityofjennings.com/events

Feb. 18
Lake Fausse Pointe Mardi Gras Parade
Held the Saturday before Mardi Gras; 2 p.m.
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, 5400 Levee Rd, St. Martinville
Mardi Gras Parade with lots of Floats, Bands, Dance Groups, Mardi Gras Royalty, Grand Marshal and tons of throws. Food booths along parade route. Music and lots of fun.
888-677-7200
www.lastateparks.com

Feb. 18
Krewe of Bonaparte Mardi Gras Parade- Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
Feb. 18; 6:30 p.m.
800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

Feb. 18
Children's Parade- Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
12:30 p.m.
Featuring Greater Southwest Mardi Gras Association children's krewes. Free Admission
800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

Feb. 19-21
12th Carnival D'Acadie (Mardi Gras) Downtown, Crowley
Sun. 3-10 p.m., Mon. 3-11 p.m., Tues. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
A Carnival celebration with music entertainment, carnival rides, street dancing, festival foods, with a traditional parade featuring bands, floats and plenty of beads. Free Admission.
337-783-0824
www.crowley-la.com

Feb. 19
Newcomers Mardi Gras Parade- Main Street, St. Martinville
Held the Sunday before Mardi Gras; 1 p.m.
Parade starts at St. Martinville Sr. High, ending at Main and Denier Street.
337-380-6031

Feb. 20
Lundi Gras at the Village
5-8 p.m.
828 E. Landry St., Opelousas
Opelousas Mardi Gras Celebration gets rolling with live Zydeco/Cajun Music at the historic Le Vieux Village in Opelousas. Enjoy the sounds of Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie from 6-8 p.m., boucherie demonstration and tours of the historic Le Vieux Village.
337-948-5227

Feb. 20
Queen's Parade- Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
6 p.m.
Celebrating Queen Evangeline and her Court.
800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

Feb. 21
25th Tee Mamou-Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival.- Downtown, Iota
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
A Cajun Prairie Mardi Gras with live Cajun & Zydeco bands, young musicians tent, folklife craft booths, cajun food booths, and a Mardi Gras parade. Free Admission.
877-783-2109
www.iotamardigras.com

Feb. 21
Fox 15 Independent Parade- Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
2 p.m.
Free Admission.
337-237-1500
www.gomardigras.com

Feb. 21
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade
11 a.m.
Hwy 90 E. at College Road, Jeanerette, LA
Mardi Gras Parade with lots of Floats, Bands, Dance Groups, Mardi Gras Royalty, Grand Marshal and tons of throws. Food booths along parade route. Music and lots of fun.
337-365-8185

Feb. 21
King's Parade- Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
10 a.m.
Celebrating King Gabriel, who reigns over the Lafayette Mardi Gras.
800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

Feb. 21
Krewe Chic-A-La-Pie Mardi Gras Parade- Downtown Kaplan
2 p.m.
This is a family-friendly, old-fashioned Mardi Gras parade.
337-898-6600

Feb. 21
Krewe of Coteau Mardi Gras Parade
1 p.m.
Francis Romero Memorial Park & LA 88, Coteau
Mardi Gras Parade, w/Marching Bands, Dance Groups, Music
337-519-4606

Feb. 21
Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade- Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
1 p.m.
Celebrating King Toussaint L'Ouverture and Queen Suzanne Simmone.
800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

Feb. 21
Southwest Mardi Gras Association Pageant & Ball- Heymann Performing Arts Center and Frem F. Boustany Convention Center, 1373 S. College Rd., Lafayette
Pageant: 8 p.m.; Ball: 9:30 p.m.
A pageant and ball marking the end of the Mardi Gras season.
Free to the public, however, tickets are required and will be available at the Heymann Performing Arts Center.
337-291-5540

2012 Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette Line-up

Feb. 17-21
Friday Schedule starting at 6:00:
The Molly Ringwalds
Blaine Roy & Second Wind
Corey Ledet

Saturday Schedule:
Marc Broussard
Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin Cajuns
Chris Mulkey w/ Whiskey Bay
The Phossils
Caleb Elliott

Sunday Schedule starting at 1:00:
10 Years
Nik L Beer
Horace Trahan
Biscuithound
Caleb Elliott

Monday Schedule starting at 2:00
Wayne Toups
Lafayette's Bayou Boys
Side Show
Dikki Du
Louisiana's Kids

Tuesday Schedule starting at 11:00 AM:
Krossfyre
Lee Benoit
Andy Smith Band

Mardi Gras FAQ

Mardi Gras Dates
Feb. 21, 2012  |  Feb. 12, 2013  |  March 4, 2014

The Colors of Mardi Gras
Purple - justice  |  Green - faith  |  Gold - power

King Cake
The history of the King Cake began in 12th century France where the cake would be baked on the eve of Jan. 6 to celebrate the visit to the Christ Child by the three Kings. A small token was hidden in the cake as a surprise for the finder.

Throws, Doubloons, Beads, Cups, and More...
The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers, and is a time-honored expectation for young and old alike. Special throws with the Krewe?s emblem become collector?s items.

Lafayette's Mardi Gras Timeline
1869 - 1st formal Mardi Gras ball and parade
1897 - King Attakapas (1st Mardi Gras king) was crowned
1934 - Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association was formed. King Gabriel and Queen Evangeline have reigned over Lafayette Mardi Gras ever since.

Courir de Mardi Gras
A rural Mardi Gras celebration that dates back to the earliest days of settlement. With its roots firmly in the medieval tradition of ceremonial begging, bands of masked and costumed horseback riders roam the countryside "begging" for ingredients for their communal gumbo.

Family-friendly Mardi Gras
Lafayette's Mardi Gras offers a family-friendly atmosphere. Families take out their spots along the parade route and float riders love to throw beads and trinkets to children. Hot Tip: If you're from out-of-town, make a sign for the parade, like "Family from Detroit" or "Razorbacks love Mardi Gras". Float riders look for these and welcome non-locals with a shower of beads.

Parking
You may park along a side street free of charge, avoiding driveways and private property. Don't be surprised to see "entrepreneurs" along the way to park in a private parking lot near the parade route. If you want to watch the parades from the Mardi Gras Festival, you may park for a fee at Cajun Field and admission to the festival is free.

Safety First

Lafayette Parade Map

Click Here for a printable PDF version of the map.
Adobe Acrobat Reader required download here.