Basile / Chataignier / Church Point / Crowley / Elton / Eunice / Grand Prairie /  Iota / Jennings / Lake Arthur
L'Anse Maigre / Mamou / Opelousas / Pecanière / Rayne / Soileau / Sunset / Tee-Mamou/Iota /
Main Mardi Gras Page

Click Here to Go to 1999 Digital Mardi Gras Pictures

LSUE is compiling a list of public Mardi Gras activities taking place in Acadia Parish (Church Point, Rayne, Tee-Mamou/Iota), Evangeline Parish (Basile, Chataignier, L'Anse Maigre, Mamou, Ville Platte), Jeff Davis Parish (Elton, Lake Arthur, Jennings), and St. Landry Parish (Eunice, Grand Prairie, Opelousas, Pecanière, Sunset), plus Soileau in rural Allen Parish.  Mardi Gras courirs are organized by local Mardi Gras associations, which establish their own rules for each courir. Towns are listed in alphabetical order. Other smaller rural courirs are also held in the four parishes. For information about other courirs elsewhere in Southwest Louisiana in towns like Oberlin and Kinder, check out the Lake Charles American Press.

Daily 2001 Calendar Highlights

Updated as of 1-18-01. Some information not yet confirmed.

Check out the weather forecast.

Basile

Sunday, February 25, 2001

• Children's Mardi Gras Run, 9 a.m.-1 p.m; entry fee for children taking part in the run, $5. Open to children up to 15 years old. Sign up starts at 8 a.m. at the Basile Town Park.
  Costume Judging and Gumbo in the Town Park, 1 p.m.

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

• Basile Mardi Gras Association Courir, starts at 7 a.m. at the Town Park Barn and continues until about 2 p.m. Entry fee to take part in the run, $15 (age 16 or older). Sign up between 6 and 7 a.m.
• Street Dance on Stagg Avenue 2-5 p.m. with Danny Shuff and the Bayou Blue Playboys
• Parade: Stagg Avenue, 3:30 p.m.
• Gumbo, 5 p.m., Town Park Barn
• Grand March, Awards Ceremony, and Dance at the Town Park Barn, 7 p.m.-until
  Music by Danny Shuff and the Bayou Blue Playboys
  $2 per person

    For more information, contact Potic Rider, (337) 432-5569, Cassie LeBlue, (337) 432-6065, or Ramona LeBlue, (337) 432-5777.

To get to the Town Park Barn, just head towards the water tower on the north side of Highway 190.

Go to the Basile Mardi Gras page.

Chataignier

Sunday, February 25, 2001

• Lanse-Aux-Paille/Chataignier Mardi Gras Association Family Run holds registration 7-8 a.m. in the Chataignier High School parking area. Men, women and children are invited to take part. Fees TBA. [ In 2000 fees were $8 per adult (12 years and older), $6 per child (11 years and younger). Fees for 2001 should be set by mid-February.]  Participants ages 12-17 must have a minor's release signed by the parent or guardian. Children 11 and younger must be accompanied by parents or guardians during the courir. Participants 18 and over must sign a hold harmless form.
• Courir leaves at 8:30 a.m. Refreshments include breakfast stop (eggs and boudin) at 10 a.m. and lunch stop (eggs and boudin) at 12:30, plus a rest stop at 2 p.m. with any leftovers. (Any followers not registered in courir  will be asked to pay for food they eat.) Beverages will be sold. No ice chests.
• Ride at your own risk. No horseback doubling. Some wagons will be provided.
• Hot gumbo and awarding of trophies at the Chataignier Fire Station at 3 p.m. To qualify for a trophy, participants must pay the entry fee, have a mask and costume, behave in a respectful manner at all times, participate in all Mardi Gras activities, and follow all rules set by the Mardi Gras capitaine.
• For more information, call Daniel or Jamaine Brasseaux, (337) 885-5494, or Roland or Nela Miller, (337) 885-3340.

Church Point

Details not yet confirmed.

Sunday, February 25, 2001

• Sign-up for Courir de Mardi Gras at the Saddle Tramp Riding Clubhouse (1036 E. Ebey Street on the Lewisburg Highway, Church Point, LA 70525). Registration fee is $20 (fee in 2000; 2001 fee not yet confirmed), which includes plenty of good Cajun food and refreshments. The horseback courir is limited to men.   All participants must be dressed in costume.  There will be a live band on the run. The courir will leave the clubhouse at 8:30, and  turn right down Ebey Street, turning onto Rogers Street to Rue Iry LeJeune onto Main Street, going down South Main Street. After visiting the Acadia-St. Landry Guest Home, the riders will continue onto Jagneauxville, then follow the same route as in past years, except in the opposite direction, arriving back in Church Point on Olivier Road.
• 9 a.m. Courir rides through downtown Church Point.  The Mardi Gras will NOT be parading through Church Point at 1 p.m. but instead  will conclude the run by returning to the Saddle Tramp Riding Clubhouse about 1:30 p.m. on Olivier Road adjacent to the Garan Plant.
• Live French bands and dancing at the clubhouse, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., TBA. Gumbo sold starting at 11 a.m.
• Awards, 2:30 p.m. (time not confirmed), Saddle Tramp Clubhouse: best dressed, oldest, ugliest, best all around, most chickens caught
• Camper space is available within walking distance of activities

    For more information, contact Teasie Cary (chairman), (337) 684-2739; or Capitaine Joey Richard, (337) 684-2026; or Leander Richard (publicity),  (337) 684-2526.

Go to the Church Point Mardi Gras page.

Crowley

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

• The first annual Carnival d'Acadie will feature food, fun, and live entertainment throughout the day.
• Music will include:
  • 10 a.m. Lee Benoit and the Bayou Stompers
  • 12 p.m. Damon Troy and Louisiana Beat
  • 2 p.m. (in parade) and 4 p.m. on stage: Grand Slam
• Mardi Gras Parade at 2 p.m.

Elton

Friday, February 23, 2001

• Camp-Out and Barbecue at the Malcolm Bertrand farm 6 miles north of Elton on Powell Road. Starts at dark until midnight. Bring your own meat for the barbecue.

Saturday, February 24, 2001

• The Elton Mardi Gras Courir begins at the Malcolm Bertrand farm 6 miles north of Elton on Powell Road by 7 a.m. Open to men 16 and over in traditional Mardi Gras costumes.  Cost is $25 (tentative). Live music during the run. The Mardi Gras arrive in Elton to parade down Highway 190 some time after 3 p.m.
• A traditional Mardi Gras dance starts at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hut  in Elton, with music by Don Fontenot & Les Amis de la Louisianne.

For more information, contact David Bertrand, (337) 584-5199. Go to the Elton Courir page.

Eunice

A number of TBA slots will be announced very soon.

Saturday, March 4, 2000

• Mardi Gras Interpretive Program at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Prairie Acadian Culture Center in Downtown Eunice, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.  Free Admission.
• Eunice Depot Museum, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Special exhibit: Cajun Country Mardi Gras dolls, plus a variety of handmade Mardi Gras masks
• Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Cajun Jam Session, Downtown Eunice at Second and Walnut, 2:30 p.m. Free.
• "Rendez-Vous des Cajuns" Cajun Music Radio and TV Show, Liberty Theater, Downtown Eunice, $5 admission (children ages 7-12, $3; 6 and under free).
  Two Performances:
  • Matinee (2-3:30 p.m.): La Bande Feufollet
  • Evening (6-7:30 p.m.): TBA
• Un Bal du Vieux Style de Mardi Gras Cajun (A Dance in the Old Style Cajun Mardi Gras), St. Thomas More Hall (LSUE Drive)
  8 p.m. to midnight (doors open at 7 p.m.), with Grand March and costume judging at 10 p.m. (funniest, traditional, prettiest, ugliest, all-around)
  Cajun hors d'oeuvres, set-ups available (bring your own refreshments)
  Music: Marc and Ann Savoy
  $15 per person. For ticket  information,  call the church, (337) 457-8104
  (Ticket price and other details of dance should be confirmed Jan. 22.)

Sunday, March 5, 2000

• Children's Mardi Gras Courir: Departs from Northwest Community Center on Samuel Drive at 9 a.m. Details TBA soon. The courir parades on Second Street through Downtown Eunice at 3 p.m.
• Old Time Boucherie, in front of Eunice City Hall
  Starting at 10 a.m., you can witness a traditional hog-butchering and then watch Cajun chefs prepare a variety of items such as boudin, cracklins, and backbone stew.  There will also be other foods, refreshments, and music
• Music on Main Stage
  • 12 -2 p.m. TBA
  • 2:30-4:30 p.m. TBA
• Walnut Street at Second St. Stage
  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Jam Session
  • 1-3 p.m. Les Jeunes Cajuns
• Mardi Gras Interpretive Program at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Prairie Acadian Culture Center in Downtown Eunice, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  Free Admission.
• Eunice Depot Museum. Special exhibit: Cajun Country Mardi Gras dolls, plus a variety of handmade Mardi Gras masks
• Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Monday, February 26, 2001

• Museums and shops open city wide

• St. Landry Parish Council on Aging Mardi Gras Dance, LSUE Acadian Center, 1-3 p.m., $5 general admission, $1 for seniors. Judges will choose the most traditional and prettiest costumes, best dancing couple, Mardi Gras King and Queen.  Music again this year by Zydeco Force (including Jeffrey Broussard, shown at right).  [Yes, fiscal employees will keep LSUE open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Feb. 26. Students and faculty have a holiday.  LSUE will be closed Mardi Gras Day.]
• Lundi Gras Street Dance in Downtown Eunice:
  • 2:30-4:30 p.m. Jam Session
  • 5:30-8 p.m. J.C. Carriere and Hot Step
  • 8-11 p.m. Jr. Melancon and the Come Down Playboys
    Free admission. Refreshments sold. No ice chests.
• Mardi Gras Interpretive Program at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Prairie Acadian Culture Center in Downtown Eunice, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.  Free Admission.
• Eunice Depot Museum. Special exhibit: Cajun Country Mardi Gras dolls, plus a variety of handmade Mardi Gras masks
• Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Tuesday, March 7, 2000

• Courir de Mardi Gras
  Sign up 6 a.m. National Guard Armory (corner of 9th and Maple Ave.), departs at 8 a.m.
  Must be at least 18 years old (open to both men and women, bring proof of age). Traditional Mardi Gras costumes required. The registration fee is $20 per participant. Only five open trailers will be available to participants on a first come, first served basis.
• Music, traditional crafts in the Jean Lafitte Historical National Park and Preserve, Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Free.
  • Mardi Gras chicken chasing demonstration for children, 1 p.m
• Mardi Gras in Downtown Eunice, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
  Music, food, refreshments
• 10 a.m. Children's Walking Parade
• 3 p.m. Truck parade followed by the Courir de Mardi Gras riding into town

• Bands  performing at the Main Bandstand on Park Avenue
  • 10 a.m.-12 p.m. TBA
  • 12:30-2:30 p.m. Paul Daigle and Cajun Gold
  • 3-5 p.m. Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
• Band at Second and Walnut
  • 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Jam Session
  • ZigaZag Cajun Band (a great Cajun band from England!)
• Band at Second and Laurel
  • TBA
• Eunice Depot Museum. Special exhibit: Cajun Country Mardi Gras dolls, plus a variety of handmade Mardi Gras masks
• Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum

    For more information on Mardi Gras in Eunice, phone (337) 457-7389. The City of Eunice has an official web site.

Go to LSUE's Eunice Mardi Gras page.

Grand Prairie

Sunday, February 25, 2001

• Grand Prairie Traditional Mardi Gras Run.   Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at the W.D. Fontenot Grocery on Highway 363. The fee is $6 per person. Riders must be at least 16 years old and must be in full costume with mask (no exceptions). The courir departs at 8:30 a.m. and follows a 17-mile route. The Mardi Gras enjoy live music at the lunch stop, with boudin and boiled eggs, plus a chicken chasing contest. Participants may bring their own trailers, but there are no open trailers available to those who do not have a ride.
• Gumbo and awards for riders at 7 p.m. Monday, February 26, at Madonna Hall across from the Grand Prairie Church. Awards will be given for most chickens, best all-around Mardi Gras, best dressed (original). Music by W.D. Fontenot and the Cherokee Playboys.
• For more information, contact Shane Trahan, capitaine, (337) 363-1985, or Ricky Soileau, co-capitaine, (337) 826-5033.

    Grand Prairie, a rural community in northwestern St. Landry Parish, may not be on your highway map. You can follow Highway 103 from Washington until it intersects with Highway 363, or you can take Highway 167 from Opelousas and then turn onto Highway 103 to reach Highway 363. The way to Grand Prairie is marked by road signs.

Jennings

Saturday, February 24, 2001

• 9th annual Jennings Mardi Gras Parade and Festival starts in Founders' Park at 4 p.m. with music by Groove 64 (formerly Young Gunz), featuring classic rock and blues from the 50's to the 90's (band break at 4:30). Parade down Main Street starts at 4:30. Begins at North Main and Shankland and travels to Market Street.  This parade is known for lots of unique throws. After the parade, there will be a street dance in Founders' Park that will continue until 8 p.m. Food sales in Founders' Park, no alcohol sold.  For more information, contact Polly Henry, (337) 821-5500.

Lake Arthur

Saturday, February 24, 2001

• Late Registration 7:30 a.m. (start location not confirmed). Entry fee is $10 per person participating in the run. Children under 10 ride free. Wagons, floats, and pull trailers are welcomed. All riders should wear costumes (prizes given for best costumes).  Runners are encouraged to bring beads or candy to throw in the parade in Lake Arthur.
• No ice chests. Refreshments sold on floats.
• Runners will line up and run will begin at 9:30 a.m., following a route that will include opportunities for any and all to chase chickens and have a good time. Music provided during the run by Jesse Legé and the Southern Ramblers.
• Lunch break 12-1 p.m. Hot food and cold drinks available.
• Courir continues 1-2:30, with a stop to line up to parade down Main Street.
• Courir will join the Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Parade at 3 p.m.
• Dance following the parade in Lake Arthur Park at the Pavilion

• Participants are asked to register before the run. Registration form and more information available from Jim Hebert, (337) 824-4011; Barry DeArmond, (337) 475-3969; Benton Scott, (337) 779-3073; Joana Bertrand, (337) 433-4247.

L'Anse Maigre

Sunday, February 25, 2001

Lanse Maigre Courir

• Details TBA

Mamou

Saturday, February 17, 2001

Children's Mardi Gras Run

• For children up to 15 years old. Children must be accompanied by parent at all times during the run. All runners are required to wear some type of costume or face paint.
• Entry fee: $7 per child, up to $20 per family. Early registration Feb. 1-14 at Judy's Cajun Rainbow and the Mamou Recreational Complex. Registration the day of the run 7-8:20 a.m. at the recreational complex.
• Participants should be at the recreational complex by 7:30 a.m. Feb. 17. The run begins at 8:30 and returns about 2 p.m. to the complex, where hamburgers, chips, and cokes will be served. Snacks during the run for children only. Ice chests containing snacks and soft drinks will be allowed on wagons (no alcohol).
• Prizes will be awarded in several categories.
• Riders will stop about 1:30 p.m. under the red light to dance and celebrate with the crowd.

Saturday March 4, 2000

Mardi Gras Rodeo, TBA.

Sunday March 5, 2000

Mardi Gras Rodeo, TBA.

Monday, March 6, 2000

• Street Dance at 6th and Main
  • La Bande Feufollet, 7-8:30 p.m.
  • Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys,  8:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
• Street Dance at 6th and Ash
  • TBA

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

• The Mardi Gras begin gathering at the American Legion Hall, corner of Fifth and Main, about 6:30 a.m. Typically, the Courir de Mardi Gras leaves the American Legion Hall about 8 a.m. Registration is $20. All riders must be male, must be at least 17 years old (16 if accompanied by a guardian), and must dress in the traditional costume including full face mask. ID's will be required, and colored armbands will be used to identify participants under age 21. Only 80 riders will be permitted on wagons. 
• Street Dance at 6th and and Martin Luther King (location to be confirmed)
  • Chris Ardoin and Double Clutchin'
• Street Dance at 6th and Main: Jamie Berzas and Cajun Tradition, noon-4 p.m.
• Gumbo served at the American Legion Hall
• The Mardi Gras Courir is scheduled to arrive in Mamou about 3 p.m. and ride down Main Street between 3 and 4 p.m.
• Cajun music and dance 4-8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, details TBA.

    For more information on Mardi Gras activities in Mamou, call (337) 468-3272.

Go to the Mamou Mardi Gras page.

Pecanière

February 24, 2001

Courir de Mardi Gras à la Pecanière. Details TBA.

    Pecanière is located near Leonville in St. Landry Parish.

Opelousas

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

• Half Fast Krewe of Frank's Annual Mardi Gras Parade starts at 806 E. Landry St. (corner of Oak St. and E. Landry) at 11 a.m., goes to downtown Opelousas and returns.  Phone (337) 942-4637.

Rayne

Saturday, February 3, 2001

• Mardi Gras Parade, starting at 4:30 p.m. traveling from Adams Avenue north to the Rayne Civic Center, where an old-fashioned traditional Mardi Gras dance will be held following the parade
• Le Bal de Mardi Gras, Civic Center, $15 couples, $8 for adults, $3.50 for children under 12
  Doors open at 5 p.m.; jam session 5:30-8:30 p.m.; Richard LeBouef and Two-Step, 9 p.m.-midnight
  Gumbo, refreshments for sale.
• Prizes awarded for best Mardi Gras ensemble

    For more information, contact the Rayne Chamber of Commerce, (337) 334-2332, or Martha Royer, chairperson, (337) 334-3489.

Soileau (Allen Parish)

Monday, February 26, 2001

• Last year, the Soileau Mardi Gras run began about 8 a.m. from Andrew Ceasar's place, 422 Highway 104. Details for 2001 TBA. 
• Chris Ardoin will play Monday night at the Community Center.
• For more information, contact Andrew Ceasar, (337) 639-4473.

Sunset

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

• Sunset Sertoma Mardi Gras Parade in Downtown Sunset begins at 2 p.m. Phone (337) 662-5690.

Tee-Mamou / Iota

Times for Tee-Mamou courirs are based on last year's schedule.

Saturday, February 24, 2001

• Tee-Mamou Women's Courir assembles about 7 a.m. at the Frugé Barn in the rural Tee-Mamou community. The barn is located on Highway 1123 (a gravel road) off of Highway 97 about a quarter mile north of DI's Restaurant. The courir leaves about 8 a.m. escorted by Acadia Parish Sheriff's deputies.

        Go to the Tee-Mamou Women's Courir Page.

Sunday, February 25, 2001

• Tee-Mamou/Iota Children's Courir leaves about noon from the Knights of Columbus Hall in Iota (the hall is on Highway 98).  The courir follows a route through the town of Iota. Participation is limited to children who are part of the Mardi Gras Association.

Tuesday, February 27, 2001

• Mardi Gras Folklife Festival all day in downtown Iota, featuring folkcraft demonstrations (quilting, costume making, Cajun cooking, Cajun artists); Prairie Cajun foods for sale; live Cajun music and traditional Prairie Cajun Mardi Gras groups singing and dancing on the main stage.
• Children's Tent, Schedule TBA
• Main Stage:
  • Bands on the Main Stage
    • 9-11 a.m.  Joe Simon and the Louisiana Cajuns
    • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  JoJo Reed and the Happy Hill Zydeco Band
    • 1-3 p.m. Scotty Pousson and the Pointe aux Loupe Playboys
    • 3-5 p.m. Karlo Broussard and Standard Time
  • Special Events on the Main Stage
    • TBA
  • Tee-Mamou Courir de Mardi Gras parades through town about 2:30 p.m., Todd Frugé, capitaine
• Food items for sale will include syrup pies, beignets, café au lait, and beignet mix to make your own (visit with LSUE's Anita Dupre at this booth sponsored by the Catholic Daughters of America), barbecue brisket sandwiches, crawfish bisque, red beans and sausage, pork jambalaya, boudin balls, crawfish étouffée, hot cracklins, sausage jambalaya, tasso po-boy, sweet dough pies, backbone stew, bread pudding with sauce, crawfish maque choux, fried alligator, crawfish boudin, crawfish jambalaya, shrimp étouffée, sausage links, seafood gumbo, pralines
• Crafts and other items for sale such as art by Floyd Sonnier, Cajun seasonings, Cajun accordions and other Cajun musical instruments, cypress swings and chairs, folk art toys, bird feeders, Mardi Gras masks and capuchons, Indian crafts, miniature Mardi Gras dolls, bonnets, Mardi Gras jewelry, herb vinegar, cowhide chair bottoms, corn shuck dolls, palmetto hats, garfish jewelry, capuchon handbags--and much more

    No ice chests, no cans, no bottles allowed on the street.

Go to the Tee-Mamou/Iota Mardi Gras page.

Tourism Commissions and Associations

For additional information, contact the Acadia Parish Tourist Commission, (337) 783-2108; the Evangeline Tourism Association,  (337) 363-TOUR;  the Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Information Center, (337) 821-5521, or 1-800-264-5521; or the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission,  1-877-948-8004. For a schedule of Mardi Gras activities in Southwest Louisiana beyond the four parishes covered in LSUE's schedule, go to the February calendar maintained by the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission. The Mardi Gras calendar in the Baton Rouge Advocate newspaper covers activities throughout South Louisiana and elsewhere in the state.

1-18-01

Prepared by  the LSUE Office of Public Relations. Go to  Information for Prospective LSUE Students.

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