2012 Lafayette Mardi Gras Schedule

Year-round

Mardi Gras Exhibit

Alexandre Mouton House/lafayette Museum, 1122 Lafayette St., Lafayette
10 a.m.-4 p.m.  Adults $4, Seniors $3, Children $2.
In addition to the beautiful Mardi Gras room which is available year round, The Alexandre Mouton House is hosting a collection of stunning costumes and other Mardi Gras memorabilia. The collection is on loan from past royalty and members of various Mardi Gras Krewes. The exhibit will run throughout February. 
337-234-2208


Feb. 3

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


Feb. 5

Courir de Mardi Gras
Vermilionville, Lafayette | 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Adults $8, Seniors $6.50, Children $5, Under 6 yrs. Free, memberships honored. AAA members $1 off.
337-233-4077 | bayouvermilion.org


Feb. 11

Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette | 6:30 p.m.
337-984-6522 | riolafayette.com

Krewe des Chiens Parade for Dogs
Downtown, Lafayette | Parade 2 p.m., Registration Noon.
paradefordogs.com

Carencro Mardi Gras Parade
Carencro High to Carencro Community Center | 11 a.m.
337-896-4147 | cityofcarencro.org


Feb. 12

Scott Mardi Gras Parade
Parade 1 p.m. Jam session at Begnaud House starting at 10 a.m.
337-269-5155


Feb. 17

Friday Night Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette | 6:30 p.m.
800-346-1958 | gomardigras.com


Feb. 17-21

Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette
Cajun Field, Lafayette
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 | lafayettemardigrasfestival.com
Friday:  The Molly Ringwalds | Blaine Roy & Second Wind | Corey Ledet
Saturday:  Marc Broussard | Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin Cajuns | Chris Mulkey w/ Whiskey Bay | The Phossils | Caleb Elliott
Sunday:  10 Years | Nik L Beer | Horace Trahan | Biscuithound | Caleb Elliott
Monday:  Wayne Toups  |Lafayette's Bayou Boys | Side Show | Dikki Du | Louisiana's Kids
Tuesday:  Krossfyre | Lee Benoit | Andy Smith Band


Feb. 18

Children's Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette | 12:30 p.m.
800-346-1958 | gomardigras.com

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


Feb. 20

Queen's Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette | 6 p.m.
800-346-1958 | gomardigras.com


Feb. 21 – MARDI GRAS DAY!

King's Court Mardi Gras at Parc Sans Souci
Parc Sans Souci, 201 E. Vermilion St., Lafayette
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.
People of all ages are challenged to test their creativity and Mardi Gras spirit during the annual King’s Court Costume Contest set for 9 a.m. This family-oriented contest, welcomes individuals, couples and groups. Pre-registration is not required. Celebrity judges present special Mardi Gras medallions and plaques for best theme, most original, most comical, best family group, best adult group and best adult couple. Live music will start immediately following the contest on the Parc Sans Souci stage, so be prepared to do the Mardi Gras Mambo. Then, pick your spot at the Parc near the King’s Court Reviewing Stand for a prime view of parades and Krewe festivities as City-Parish President Joey Durel presents the key to the city and toasts the reigning royalty.
337-291-5566 | downtownlafayette.org

King's Parade

Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette | 10 a.m.
800-346-1958 | gomardigras.com

Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette | 1 p.m.
800-346-1958 | gomardigras.com

Fox 15 Independent Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette | 2 p.m.
337-237-1500 | gomardigras.com

Mardi Gras Show at Clark Field
Clark Field Stadium, Lafayette
North Lafayette's cultural diversity is on "display." Experience music, food, designers, dancers,and fun.
Adults $5, High School $3, Children under 12 free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
mardigrasshow.com

Southwest Mardi Gras Association Pageant & Ball
Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette
Pageant 8 p.m., Ball 9:30 p.m.
Free to the public, however, tickets are required. Formal attire is required for admittance to the ball.
337-291-5540



Area Mardi Gras Events


Feb. 3

Krewe of Andalusia Mardi Gras Parade
New Iberia | 6:30 p.m.
337-367-6466


Feb. 11

Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Parade
337-774-3675

Rotary Club Mardi Gras Ball
Cade Community Center, St. Martinville |  7 p.m. Tickets $25.
337-394-2233 | stmartinville.org


Feb. 12

Krewe of Ezana Jeanerette Mardi Gras Parade
Jeanerette | 1 p.m.
337-365-1540


Feb. 17-19

51st Courir de Mardi Gras
Downtown Churchpoint
877-783-2109 | churchpointmardigras.com


Feb. 18

Jennings Mardi Gras Festival & Parade
10:30 a.m. – until
337-821-5532 | cityofjennings.com/events

Lake Fausse Pointe Mardi Gras Parade
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, St. Martinville | 2 p.m.
888-677-7200 | lastateparks.com


Feb. 19

Newcomers Mardi Gras Parade
St. Martinville | 1 p.m.
337-380-6031


Feb. 19-21

12th Carnival D'Acadie
Downtown, Crowley
337-783-0824 | crowley-la.com


Feb. 20

Lundi Gras at the Village
828 E. Landry St., Opelousas | 5-8 p.m.
Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie, boucherie and tours of Le Vieux Village.
337-948-5227


Feb. 21 – MARDI GRAS DAY!

25th Tee Mamou-Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival
Downtown, Iota | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
877-783-2109 | iotamardigras.com

Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade
Hwy 90 E. at College Road, Jeanerette | 11 a.m.
337-365-8185

Krewe Chic-A-La-Pie Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Kaplan | 2 p.m.
337-898-6600

Krewe of Coteau Mardi Gras Parade
Francis Romero Memorial Park & LA 88, Coteau | 1 p.m.
337-519-4606

Family Affair Mardi Gras Parade
Main Street, Loreauville
2 p.m.
337-229-6001



Mardi Gras FAQs

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
Stay behind the barricades while the parade is in progress.
Have fun, but realize that lewd behavior or drunkenness can get you arrested.
Don't throw things at the float riders.
Keep an eye on children.
Items are prohibited along the parade route: Weapons, Fireworks, Bicycles, Glass containers, Pets.

More Mardi Gras Info
mardigraslafayette.net
gomardigras.com


 

Lafayette Parade Map

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