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Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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La Riviére Children’s Mardi Gras Parade & Chicken Chase. Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Krotz Springs. Lebeau Mardi Gras Festival & Parade. Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. Lebeau. Sunset Kidz Wagon Parade. Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. Sunset. Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras. March 1 at 3 p.m. Eunice. Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade. March 4 at 11 a.m. Opelousas. Courir de Mardi Of the hundreds of Louisiana festivals, none tops Mardi Gras. Spectacular parades, unbelievable costumes, music, dancing, food, drink — take your pick of places to indulge and enjoy. The biggest celebration occurs in New Orleans , but nearly every community in the state has its own version of the annual party. Mardi Gras is Louisiana’s celebration of life, culture, and community. It defines who we are as a people, as family and friends dress in their funkiest attire to attend parades, parties, and balls. Whether you live up in Shreveport or way down in New Orleans, for a few weeks the party truly does not stop and the attitude of the carnival The History & Traditions of Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in Louisiana since the 18th century, brought by French settlers. Today’s traditions stem from European carnival customs mixed with local culture, creating a uniquely New Orleans spectacle. We’ll get into most of these later, but here are the key traditions at a glance: The first recorded celebration of Lafayette Mardi Gras was on February 14, 1869, but the first citywide Mardi Gras observance wasn't until 1897. All parades end at Cajun Field, where the annual Festival de Mardi Gras takes place with carnival rides, live music and more. If you're a master costume crafter, you may want to partake in the Grand The gathering and observation of the Mardi Gras customs may look different in communities around Cajun and Creole country, but they largely hold the same spirit of celebration. The music heard at rural Mardi Gras is Louisiana French music called Cajun, Creole, or zydeco music—played and enjoyed by people from all walks of life and who call Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade. March 1 at 11 a.m. Youngsville. Queen Evangeline’s Parade. March 3 at 6 p.m. Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field. King Gabriel’s Parade. March 4 at 10 a.m. Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field. Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade. March 4 at 1 p.m. Downtown Lafayette to Cajun Field. Lafourche Parish parades History of Mardi Gras in Louisiana. Mardi Gras’ roots trace back to Louisiana’s Spanish and French influences and have evolved over the centuries. Here are just a few lesser-known traditions and customs celebrated in the different regions. Cajun Mardi Gras. Cajun Mardi Gras, also called Courir de Mardi Gras, is a celebration on Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, which takes place March 4, marks the party’s climax and the end of Carnival Season on the Gulf Coast. The conclusion falls the day before Ash Wednesday and is seen as a final day of feasting and revelry before the solemnity of Lent. Just like gumbo can differ region to region, so do Louisiana's Mardi Gras celebrations! New Orleans is known for its flamboyant parties and floats in the French Quarter, while you'll find regal balls in Lake Charles and the family-friendly parades in Shreveport. Then there's the Courir de Mardi Gras in central Louisiana, also known as Cajun Orpheus (Monday before Mardi Gras): Known for creative floats and sought-after throws like four-foot stuffed dragons and custom-decorated tambourines. Zulu (Mardi Gras Day): Beloved for its unique throws, including the iconic hand-decorated coconuts. Rex (Mardi Gras Day): One of the oldest and most traditional parades, featuring a regal Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, was originally a French Catholic celebration which has a long-lasting history in the formerly French-owned territory of Louisiana. The first Mardi Gras parade in the United States was believed to be in 1837 in New Orleans, but the tradition quickly spread throughout the southern regions of the state and beyond. Mardi Gras krewes are social organizations that host balls or put on parades each carnival season. Some krewes have open membership, while others are highly exclusive or secretive. They can be organized by neighborhood, interest or involvement in the community. New Orleans Mardi Gras is known for its vibrant food scene. Cajun cuisine is at the heart of the celebration, making every meal unforgettable. You’ll taste the rich flavors of Louisiana’s culture. Unique Mardi Gras customs are celebrated through famous dishes. Gumbo, a seafood stew, is a Creole cooking staple. La Riviére Children’s Mardi Gras Parade & Chicken Chase. Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Krotz Springs. Lebeau Mardi Gras Festival & Parade. Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. Lebeau. Sunset Kidz Wagon Parade. Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. Sunset. Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras. March 1 at 3 p.m. Eunice. Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Parade. March 4 at 11 a.m. Opelousas. Courir de Mardi Known as the "King of Carnival," Rex is responsible for the official Mardi Gras colors — purple, green and gold — and is one of the most prestigious krewes in New Orleans. The Krewe of Zulu marched in Mardi Gras as early as 1901 and offers one of the most sought-after Mardi Gras throws — the Zulu coconut or the “Golden Nugget.” The Differences get bigger. In Mardi Gras' early days in Louisiana, the differences in the city and rural towns weren't so stark. Between 1700 and 1800s, most celebrations in New Orleans were just Louisiana is celebrating Lent, also known as “Mardi Gras,” as a legal holiday since 1875. It is an annual celebration of the carnival ahead of Lent, with parades and balls. Does every state celebrate MARDI GRAS? The state holiday for Shrove Tuesday and March 23rd is also known as Mardi Gras in 47 states and is a Christian holiday. Colorful The Louisiana State Police are holding a news conference Friday ahead of the Mardi Gras weekend. Troopers will be assisting the New Orleans Police Department to secure parade routes and the French And wait till you hear the ingredient list: 4,000 pounds of Danish flour, 286 pounds of yeast, 428 dozen eggs, 1,178 pounds of water, 8.925 gallons of flavoring, 2,087 pounds of icing, 331 pounds
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
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