Mardi Gras Frequently Asked Questions

Ash Wednesday is always 47 days before Easter, and Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday. Easter can fall on any Sunday from March 23 to April 25, with the exact date to coincide with the first Sunday after the full moon following a spring equinox.

All parades will begin at the corner of Simcoe, Jefferson, and Surrey streets and end at Cajun Field, except for Krewe de Canailles, Children's Parade, and Krewe des Chien, which are abbreviated. You can view a parade route here.

Parades will be rolling through the streets of Lafayette the weekend before Mardi Gras on Friday with the Krewe de Canailles Walking Parade and continuing Saturday with the Krewe des Chiens parade for dogs followed by the Krewe of Rio parade. The weekend preceding Mardi Gras, there are parades on Friday, Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. More parades roll through Acadiana in the rural cities throughout the Mardi Gras season. Click here for a list of Acadiana parades and other Mardi Gras events.

The Lafayette Police Department places barricades along the parade route for the public's safety. Please remain behind the barricades when the parades are rolling.

The Lafayette Police Department will close all streets on and around the parade route one hour before the event begins. The intersection of University Avenue and Johnston Street, along with the junction of St. Mary Boulevard and Johnston Street, will remain open as crossover intersections until the parade is only several blocks from the location. Click here for more information.

Lafayette offers a family-friendly Mardi Gras; you should not encounter any problems. There’s one parade route in Lafayette that runs through downtown, along Johnston Street and ends at Cajun Field. There are barricades along the entire route to keep people safe. All of the float drivers are trained and driving brand-new trucks, so there’s not a huge risk of breakdowns. The police and public works departments are involved in all of the preparations.The result of all of that is an environment for Mardi Gras where everyone feels comfortable. But like any event involving crowds, you should place a note in each child's pocket with the child's name, address, and contact telephone number.

Police will be available along the parade routes. Still, command posts are established at Fire Station No. 1 at Vermilion and Lee Streets, Fire Station No. 5 at Johnston and St. Julien Streets, Lafayette Police Command Bus at Johnston Street and S. College, and at Cajun Field. Medical assistance is available at ambulance units stationed on the parade route. Click here for more information.

The 500 block of Jefferson Boulevard (between South Orange and South Sterling streets) and at Vermilion and Lee Street and St. Julien and Johnston Street, in front of the police command post, are viewing areas for people with disabilities.

The Mardi Gras Show at Clark Field offers costume contests and Mardi Gras Indians, food, and live music.

Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette offers a carnival midway, live music, food, and, best of all, the parades end here! It all happens nightly during Mardi Gras at Cajun Field.

The official colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold. Purple represents justice, green represents faith, and gold represents power.

A king cake is an oblong pastry containing a tiny plastic baby representing the Christ child. Whoever gets the baby hidden within the king cake must buy the next one. And so the tradition continues to Mardi Gras Day. There are different styles of king cake, from traditional to modern, and they are all delicious.

The tradition of throwing doubloons, beads, and trinkets started in New Orleans in the early 1870s when the city's Twelfth Night Revelers flung trinkets to the crowds while they made their way through New Orleans streets. The idea was so popular with their audience that the tradition continues today, although modern throws involve mostly beads and cups.

In the rural areas of Lafayette, LA, residents celebrate Mardi Gras with the unique courir de mardi gras or Mardi Gras runs, where masked men on horseback would travel the countryside knocking on doors, singing songs, dancing, and begging for ingredients to make a gumbo. Often, homeowners would throw a chicken to the begging krewe, and maskers would attempt to catch the bird for gumbo meat. Musicians sometimes followed the krewes, providing more merriment. When the courirs returned to town, they produced a communal gumbo to enjoy.

When Lafayette’s Mardi Gras parade route was lengthened several years ago, organizers launched Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette at Cajun Field, a five-day fair that has continued. Located at the end of the parade route, the fair has a full slate of musical performances, plus rides and amusements for all ages. Over the years, it has become an ideal location for families to wait for the parades and stay occupied through the day and night. Parking is available near the fair, in addition to special RV and camper parking across the street. But like any event involving crowds, you should place a note in each child's pocket with the child's name, address, and contact telephone number.

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 Le Festival de Mardi Gras, you may park for a fee at Cajun Field. Admission to the festival is free.

Weather in Lafayette, LA, during Mardi Gras, is as unpredictable as the revelers you'll encounter. It's always best to check the weather ahead of time and be prepared for anything. An umbrella, poncho, or rain jacket is always a good idea, even if rain is unexpected. The temperature can change depending on the time of day. It could be hot during the day and drop to colder temperatures in the evening. Dress for warm and cold weather by layering your clothes, adding to, and taking off as the temperature changes. Blankets are also a good idea for warmth and sitting while waiting on the parades.

While the parades are in progress, you should stay behind the barricades. Definitely have fun and let loose, but realize that lewd behavior and drunkenness can get you arrested. Don't throw things at the float riders. It's not only disrespectful, but you could seriously hurt someone. If you have children, keep them close and come up with a meeting area in case you get separated from each other. Several items are prohibited along the parade, including weapons, fireworks, bicycles, glass containers, and pets.