Mardi Gras in Louisiana takes different forms, especially in the Cajun Country where Courir de Mardi Gras is celebrated showing a unique side of Cajun heritage that dates back centuries. The celebration in the city of Lafayette is much like celebrations in other large cities, but the rural areas surrounding the city participate in different traditions that date back to Medieval Europe. Instead of throwing beads and building floats, rural Louisiana dons masks and runs around the countryside.
In Acadiana, a region surrounding Lafayette known as Cajun Country, citizens celebrate the tradition of courirs (runs). Participants of the courirs dress up and wear masks to hide their identities as they travel around the countryside to beg residents for ingredients to a gumbo. The tradition stems from peasants in Medieval Europe who would have festivals where they begged for food, a much more acceptable action at the time. The beggars would often dress up, sing, dance, and perform silly skits as a trade for food.
As the colorful group of masked locals and krewes traverse the countryside, they are followed by music and tourists enjoying the sights and sounds. Live musicians or trucks playing music on speakers will often follow the courirs. Once all of the courirs participants arrive at a central location, a communal gumbo is cooked and enjoyed with the ingredients gathered. The tradition of courirs is usually for men only, but there are special female-led groups put together for women that want to participate in the Carnival traditions.
Mardi Gras season festivities like parades, balls, courirs, and gatherings begin in January and continue through February until Mardi Gras Day (March 4). Around the Lafayette Parish, there are more than 13 parades in the months leading up to the official day of Mardi Gras. In the weeks leading up to the big day in Acadiana, parades of krewes beginning with the Krewe de Canailles Walking Parade and the Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Mardi Gras Parade two weeks before, followed by the Krewe of Bonaparte, Queen Evangeline and King Gabriel’s Parade.
Within Lafayette’s city limits, celebrations and parades begin the week before Mardi Gras with the Krewe des Canailles walking parade, followed by the Krewe of Carnivale en Rio, and the Krewe des Chiens Parade for Dogs. The celebration in the city is very similar to the New Orleans style with traditional style krewes and parades where beads and trinkets are thrown from floats. On Mardi Gras season’s last day, the city of Lafayette celebrates with a Festival Parade from Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field.
Mardi Gras season in Louisiana is one of our favorite times of the year. Grab a slice of king cake, throw on your best costume, and join in on the fun while it lasts. Until next year, Carnival!
Lafayette Mardi Gras Events
Saturday, Feb. 15: Carencro Mardi Gras Parade – 11:00 a.m. parade starts at Carencro High and ends by Carencro Community Center.
Friday, Feb. 21: Krewe de Canailles Walking Parade – 7:00 p.m. parade from Downtown Lafayette.
Saturday, Feb. 22: Krewe des Chiens Parade – 12:00 p.m. parade starts at Parc Putnam and ends at Johnston and Vermilion Street.
Saturday, Feb. 22: Scott Mardi Gras Parade – Scott municipality. 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, Feb. 22: Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Mardi Gras Parade – 6:30 p.m. parade from Downtown to Cajun Field.
Friday, Feb. 28 and Tuesday, March 4: Le Festival de Mardi Gras à Lafayette – Cajun Field, Lafayette festival grounds.
Friday, Feb. 28: Krewe of Allons “Kick-Off” Parade – 6;30 p.m. parade from Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field.
Saturday, March 1: Krewe of Bonaparte Mardi Gras Parade – 6:30 p.m. parade from Downtown to Cajun Field.
Saturday, March 1: Lafayette Children’s Parade – 12:30 p.m. parade from Downtown to Cajun Field.
Saturday, March 1: Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade – 11:00 a.m. parade from Finnegan Way & Chemin Metairie Pkwy to the “Clock Roundabout” at Iberia & Lafayette Streets.
Monday, March 3: Queen Evangeline’s Parade – 6:00 p.m. parade from Downtown to Cajun Field.
Tuesday, March 4: King Gabriel’s Parade – 10:00 a.m. parade from Downtown to Cajun Field.
Tuesday, March 4: Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade – 1:00 p.m. parade from Downtown to Cajun Field.
Tuesday, March 4: Independent Parade – 2:30 p.m. parade from Downtown to Cajun Field.