Fat Tuesday Festival Guide
Published 7:00 am Tuesday, January 8, 2019
- The Bayou Mardi Gras Association's 2017 parade in New Iberia. Lee Ball Photography
PARADES
Trending
Saturday,
Feb. 9
Bayou Mardi Gras Parade
Main Street, Downtown New Iberia
6 p.m
Trending
A family styled Mardi Gras Celebration, on the banks of the Bayou Teche on Historic Main Street New Iberia.
Friday
Feb. 22
Krewe de Canailles Walking Parade
Downtown Lafayette
7 – 9 p.m.
This walking parade without barricades comprises individual, open-source sub-krewes where floats must be man-powered with eco-friendly throws.
Saturday,
Feb. 23
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Carencro
11 a.m.
CarencroMardiGrasAssociation.com or 337-896-4147
This parade starts at Carencro High and ends by Carencro Community Center.
Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette.
6:30 p.m.
337-984-6522
This parade is known for colorful floats, rocking bands and some of the best beads and throws in Acadiana.
Sunday
Feb. 24
Scott Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Scott
1 p.m.
337-269-5155
This parade travels through the city with many throws, floats and family fun.
Monday
Feb. 25
Krewe of Ezana Parade
Downtown Jeanerette
1 – 3 p.m.
Enjoy a Mardi Gras parade with marching bands, dance groups, Mardi Gras royalty and lots of throws.
Friday – Monday
March 1 – 4
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Dances
Mon Ami, 7304 E Hwy. 90, Jeanerette,
337-365-8655
Facebook.com/MonAmi.GrandMarais
The dances will be held Fri.-Sat. from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.; Sun. from 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.; and Mon. from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m. Costume judging will be held at 11 p.m. Fri. – Sat., and at 10 p.m. from Sun. – Mon.
Friday – Tuesday
March 1 – 5
Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette
Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958
Enjoy carnival rides and games, live music, food vendors and of course parades that roll through the festival grounds.
Eunice Mardi Gras Celebration
Downtown Eunice
337-457-7389
This unique five-day celebration features the Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run, music concerts, jam sessions, street dances, cooking demos and more.
Friday
March 1
Downtown Opelousas Mardi Gras Celebration
Delta Grand Theatre, 120 S Market St., Opelousas.
7 – 10 p.m.
337-948-6263
This event is dedicated to preserving and promoting the distinct Cajun and Creole roots that are traced back to the city’s rich history with live music and great entertainment.
Krewe of Adonis Parade
Downtown Morgan City
7 p.m.
This parade begins at the intersection of Brashear Ave. and Federal Ave. turning onto Onstead St. and continuing down Sixth St. to Marguerite St., Ninth St./Hwy.70, Brashear onto Victor II Blvd. and ending at the Morgan City Auditorium on Myrtle St.
Saturday
March 2
Krewe of Bonaparte Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Lafayette
6:30 p.m.
800-346-1958
This parade includes more than 27 floats filled with theme-dressed riders throwing beads to the thousands of parade watchers during the 4-mile ride.
Children’s Parade
Downtown Lafayette
12:30 p.m.
800-346-1958
The partial route is from the Lafayette Public Library to Cajundome Boulevard/Cajun Field.
Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Youngsville
11 a.m.
337-856-4181
This family-friendly parade begins at Savoy Road and ends at the Youngsville Sports Complex and will be led by dream child Dylan thanks to Dreams Come True of Louisiana.
Sunset Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Sunset
2 p.m.
337-322-5374
This event will feature a parade, local food vendors, face painting and more. The route begins behind Janise’s Supermarket on the I-49 Service Road.
Jennings Mardi Gras Festival & Parade
Founder’s Park, 341 N. Main St., Jennings.
337-821-5532
Saturday – Sunday
March 2 – 3
Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras
Eunice Rec Complex, 461 Sittig St., Eunice
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
337-457-7389
This is a Courir de Mardi Gras and chicken chase just for kids. This is a unique opportunity for children ages 1-14 to do Mardi Gras just like the grownups. They are encouraged to be in full costume, mask and capuchon.
Baldwin Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Baldwin
12 p.m.
985-380-8224
This parade begins on Hwy. 182/Main St. at the Sager-Brown facility, continues down Hwy. 182/Main St., turns left onto Martin Luther King Blvd., turns right on Bollard St., ending at Baldwin Community Center on Bollard St.
Cypremort Point Parade
Cypremort Point State Park
1 p.m.
Krewe of Dionysius Parade
Bayou Vista.
2 p.m.
The parade will start at Gilmore proceed to John St., turn right onto Robichaux St., turn right onto Mount St., turn left onto Gilmore, turn right onto Hwy. 182 to Tournament Blvd. From Tournament Blvd., the parade will turn onto Fairview Dr. to Pattie Dr. ending at Berwick Junior High School.
3rd Annual Rayne Mardi Gras Parade & Celebration
Gossen Memorial Park, 206 Frog Festival Dr., Rayne
3 p.m.
337-334-2332
Sunday
March 3
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Children’s Dance
Mon Ami, 7304 E Hwy. 90, Jeanerette
3-6 p.m.
337-365-8655
Facebook.com/MonAmi.GrandMarais
Costume judging begins at 4:30 p.m. Winners will be announced and will ride in the parade.
Krewe of Galatea Parade
Downtown Morgan City
2 p.m.
The parade includes 16 floats with special throws and marching bands. The parade route will begin on Second St. under the LA. 182 bridge the Municipal Auditorium on Myrtle St.
Monday
March 4
Queen Evangeline’s Parade
Downtown Lafayette
6 p.m.
800-346-1958
This newly combined parade consists of many men’s and women’s krewes. The full route is from Surrey/Jefferson to Bertrand/Cajun Field into Fairgrounds.
Lundi Gras Boucherie
Lakeview Park & Beach, 1717 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Eunice
8 a.m.
337-457-2881
This culinary event features chefs from across the southern part of Louisiana and allows guests to sample an array of Cajun dishes including boudin, cracklin, stew, stuffed ponce and more. Live music is available all day and night in the dancehall.
Krewe of Amani Parade
Downtown Patterson
2 p.m.
The parade begins at Patterson High School on Hwy. 182/Main St. and continues down Hwy. 182/Main St. to Place Norman Shopping Center
Tuesday
March 5
King Gabriel’s Parade
Downtown Lafayette
10 a.m.
The full route is from Surrey/Jefferson to Bertrand/Cajun Field into Fairgrounds.
Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade
Downtown Lafayette
1 p.m.
800-346-1958
The full route is from Surrey/Jefferson Streets to Bertrand Drive/Cajun Field Fairgrounds.
TownSquare Media Independent Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette.
2:30 p.m.
337-237-1500
The full route is from Surrey/Jefferson Streets to Bertrand Drive/Cajun Field Fairgrounds.
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade
Hwy 90 E at College Road, Jeanerette
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
337-365-8185
Enjoy a family-oriented Mardi Gras parade with floats, bands, dance groups, Mardi Gras royalty, Grand Marshal, elaborate and colorful costumes, and tons of beads and throws.
Krewe of Coteau Mardi Gras Parade
Francis Romero Memorial Park & LA 88, Coteau
1 p.m.
337-577-5099
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with the Krewe of Coteau.
Family Affair Mardi Gras Parade
Main Street, Loreauville
2 p.m.
337-229-6001
Franklin Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Franklin
1 p.m.
This parade begins at Franklin Senior High School on Main St., proceeds east on Main St., making a U-turn and then continues onto Willow St. The parade then turns right onto Third St., disbanding at the end.
Krewe of Hephaestus Parade
Morgan City
2 p.m.
This parade begins on the corner of Sixth and Sycamore St., proceeds on Sixth St. to Marguerite St. to Ninth St./Hwy. 70, to Clothilde, to Victor II Blvd. and ending at the Morgan City Auditorium on Myrtle St.
Tee Mamou-Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival
Duson Avenue (Hwy 98), Downtown Iota
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
337-523-6557
Enjoy a Young Musicians Tent, Folk Craft Booths, food (mostly Cajun) and a Great Parade along with live Cajun & Zydeco bands.
Carnival d’ Acadie (Mardi Gras)
Downtown Crowley
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
337-783-0821
The Heart of Cajun Prairie invites everyone to a Mardi Gras celebration “Rice City Style” on Fat Tuesday with live music, food, costume contests, carnival rides, parades and more. No ice chests on carnival grounds.
Mamou Mardi Gras
Downtown Mamou
337-468-3175
Krewe Chic-A-La-Pie Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Kaplan
2 p.m.
337-643-6554
Mardi Gras Indians Show
Downtown Lafayette
1 -3 p.m.
The best opportunity to see Lafayette’s Mardi Gras Indians on Fat Tuesday are at 1 pm at “Pontiac Point” (the corner of Simcoe and Surrey Streets) and later that day at 3 pm at Clark Field.
COURIRS
Saturday
Feb. 16
King Cake Run 5K
Sugar Mill Pond, Youngsville
7:30 a.m.
Saturday,
Feb. 23
Mermentau Cove Courir de Mardi Gras de L’anse
1174 Lafosse Road, Morse
8 a.m.
337-356-6045
This traditional, Cajun Mardi Gras run will roll down the back roads of Mermentau Cove, making several stops including private homes and Istre Cemetery. Then, finish off the day with a fais do-do and gumbo, which all are invited to attend.
Saturday – Sunday
March 2 – 3
Lil Nate’s L’Argent Trailride, Chicken Run & Parade
Yambilee Arena, 1939 W Landry St., Opelousas.
337-319-0639
It’s a Mardi Gras weekend in Opelousas with parades, a chicken run, and zydeco headliners including Lil Nate, Chris Ardoin, Brian Jack and Leon Chavis.
Sunday
March 3
Church Point Children’s Courir de Mardi Gras
1036 E Ebey-Saddle Tramp House, Church Point
337-684-2026
The courir begins at 8:30 a.m., and continues downtown for the parade at 12:30 p.m. Then the awards follow at 1 p.m.
Tuesday
March 5
Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run
Northwest Community Center
501 Samuel Drive, Eunice
7 a.m. 4 p.m.
The Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run) is based on early begging rituals where riders go from house to house soliciting “donations” of food items to culminate in a community-wide gumbo.
