Mardi Gras festivities are gearing up. Friday night the streets of New Iberia were filled with revelers for the Krewe of Andalusia Parade. News Ten Photographer John Weatherall was there and he captured some of the sights and sounds for you in this video.
Here’s a list of Mardi Gras fun happening this weekend in Acadiana.
Click here for a Parade route map from Lafayette Travel.
February 6
Krewe of Andalusia Mardi Gras Parade
Historic Downtown, 102 W Main St, New Iberia
337-367-6466February 7
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade
Starts at Carencro High. Ends by Carencro Community Center
337-896-4147, www.carencro.org
February 7
Krewe des Chiens Parade for Dogs
Downtown, Lafayette
www.paradefordogs.com
February 7
Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
337-984-6522, www.riolafayette.com
February 7
Rotary Club Mardi Gras Ball
Cade Community Center, St. Martinville
337-394-2233, www.stmartinville.org
February 7
Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Parade
Lake Arthur
337-774-3675
February 8
Scott Mardi Gras Parade
City of Scott Louisiana
337-269-5155
February 13
Friday Night Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
February 13-15
54th Courir de Mardi Gras
Saddle Tramp Club House, 1036 E. Ebey St., Downtown for parades, Church Point
877-783-2109, www.churchpointmardigras.com
February 13-17
Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette
Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
Febraury 13-17
Cajun Country Mardi Gras
Downtown Eunice – 2nd Street area
337-948-8004
February 14
Annual Cornucopia Ball
121 S. New Market, St. Martinville
337-789-3592
February 14
Lake Fausse Pointe Mardi Gras Parade
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park, 5400 Levee Rd, St. Martinville
888-677-7200, www.lastateparks.com
February 14
La Grande Boucherie
Magnolia City Park, St. Martinville
337-394-2233, www.cajuncountry.org/boucherie
February 14
Krewe of Bonaparte Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
February 14
Children’s Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
February 14
Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade
Public Works building to Fountain View, Youngsville
337-856-4181
February 14
Jennings Mardi Gras Festival & Parade
Founder’s Park, Main St., Jennings
337-821-5532, www.cityofjennings.com/events
February 15
Newcomers Mardi Gras Parade
Main Street, St. Martinville
337-380-6031February 15
Eunice “Little Mardi Gras” (ages 0-16)
Northwest Community Center, Eunice
337-457-7389, www.eunice-la.com
February 15
Old Time Boucherie
Eunice City Hall
337-457-7389, www.eunice-la.com
February 15-17
Carnival D’Acadie (Mardi Gras)
Downtown, Crowley
337-783-0824, www.crowley-la.com
February 16
Queen’s Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
February 16
Lundi Gras Celebration
Opelousas Civic Center, Opelousas
800-424-5442, www.cityofopelousas
February 17
Half Fast Krewe of Frank’s Mardi Gras Parade
Opelousas
337-407-2288, www.cajuntravel.com
February 17
Mardi Gras Show at Clark Field
Clark Field Stadium, Lafayette
www.mardigrasshow.com
February 17
King’s Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
February 17
Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
February 17
Fox 15 Independent Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette
337-237-1500, www.gomardigras.com
February 17
Southwest Mardi Gras Association Pageant & Ball
Heymann Performing Arts Center and Frem F. Boustany Convention Center, 1373 S. College Rd., Lafayette
337-291-5540
February 17
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade
Hwy 90 E. at College Road, Jeanerette
337-365-8185
February 17
Krewe of Coteau Mardi Gras Parade
Francis Romero Memorial Park & LA 88, Coteau
337-519-4606
February 17
Family Affair Mardi Gras Parade
Main St, Loreauville
337-229-6001
February 17
28th Tee Mamou-Iota Mardi Gras Folklife Festival
Downtown, Iota
877-783-2109, www.iotamardigras.com
February 17
Krewe Chic-A-La-Pie Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown, Kaplan
337-898-6600
February 17
Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras
National Guard Armory & Downtown, Eunice
337-457-7389, www.eunice-la.com
February 17
Opelousas Downtown Mardi Gras Celebration
Downtown, Opelousas
337-948-6263, www.cityofopelousas.com
February 17
Mamou Mardi Gras
Downtown, Mamou
337-468-3105
Mardi Gras Dates
February 17, 2015
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.