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18 Apr 2022

Lebeau Mardi Gras Festival

2024-02-15T13:47:30-06:00

Mardi Gras in Lebeau is a lot like other rural celebrations across St. Landry Parish with a few distinguishing qualities. At 11am, the parade starts marching down Hwy 10 with a procession of cars, trucks, and floats. You know you’re in Lebeau when horses, 4-wheelers, side by sides, golf carts, and more festive vehicles and equines pass by as well. What sets Lebeau’s Mardi Gras run apart from other courirs is the inclusion of a greased pig chase with their chicken run. It’s not a real Lebeau celebration without zydeco musicians to dance along to.

Lebeau Mardi Gras, Lebeau, Louisiana
Lebeau Mardi Gras, Lebeau, Louisiana
Lebeau Mardi Gras, Lebeau, Louisiana
Lebeau Mardi Gras Festival2024-02-15T13:47:30-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras

2024-02-15T13:23:40-06:00

Kids get in on the Mardi Gras fun too in Eunice, Louisiana. In fact, the Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras is a Courir de Mardi Gras and chicken chase just for kids. Children ages 1-14 get to participate, and they are encouraged to be in full costume, mask, and capuchon. The Mardi Gras run begins at 9am. Participants arrive back at the Eunice Recreation Complex at 12pm for lunch, then depart for Harris Field at 1:15pm for the chicken chase. The day ends with a children’s parade in downtown Eunice at 3pm.

For this event, participants are broken into different divisions based on age. Registration is open at 7am at the Eunice Recreation Complex. You can also complete registration at EuniceRec.com.

Courir de Mardi Gras is based on Medieval begging rituals. For more information about this traditional celebration, visit our Mardi Gras page.

Eunice Lil’ Mardi Gras2024-02-15T13:23:40-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Sunset Mardi Gras Ball

2023-01-12T16:04:47-06:00

The Sunset Mardi Gras Parade was once one of the largest Mardi Gras Celebrations in the area celebrating the carnival season with beads, doubloons, and live music. Today, the town of the Sunset will celebrate the day with a Mardi Gras Ball of epic proportions at the state-of-the-art, Astros Studios.

Stay tuned for more details.

Sunset Mardi Gras Ball2023-01-12T16:04:47-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Cajun Mardi Gras Festival

2024-02-14T11:43:38-06:00

This five-day celebration is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras. There are no beads and doubloons here. Instead, in Eunice, Louisiana, men and women on horseback don hand-crafted wire masks, tall hats called capuchons, and colorful costumes. The main event is the Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Here, revelers chase a chicken or guineafowl and participate in Medieval begging practices.

The courir takes place on Mardi Gras day and is only one part of the celebration. Starting the Friday before Mardi Gras Day, you can cut loose all weekend long. Dance in the street at music concerts and jam sessions. There are even activities for children and teenagers at the Lil’ Mardi Gras held on Sunday. Also on Sunday is an old-time boucherie (hog butchering).

The Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras dates back to when the town was first established in the late 19th century. The courir was abandoned for a few years during World War II, but in 1946 a small band of riders revived the tradition. Today, the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras has more than 2,000 participants on the run. It continues to increase each year.

Learn more about the history of rural Louisiana Mardi Gras traditions here.

Eunice Mardi Gras
Courir de Mardi Gras and Chicken Run in Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice Mardi Gras at The Liberty
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Cajun Mardi Gras Festival2024-02-14T11:43:38-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Opelousas Mardi Gras Parade

2024-02-15T13:10:28-06:00

The Opelousas Mardi Gras Parade marches through downtown Opelousas, Louisiana starting near Le Vieux Village Heritage Park. The parade continues down East Landry Street past well-known restaurants like Mama’s Fried Chicken. The Mardi Gras celebration continues past the oaks of the Courtyard Square until it turns right on Liberty and returns on Bellevue.

In conjunction with the parade, the Mystic Krewe of Fur Babies, which hosts a parade for dogs, will take place just prior to the parade event. Following the parade, Keith Frank & the Zoileau Zydeco Band will be performing at Zyde Gras on the Square.

For more information or to sign up for this year’s parade, visit the Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras Association on Facebook or call Robbie at 337-948-4367.

Check out nearby accommodations.

Opelousas Mardi Gras Parade2024-02-15T13:10:28-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run

2024-02-14T13:14:10-06:00

Looking for something new and exciting this Mardi Gras season? Check out the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run in Eunice, Louisiana. This Mardi Gras celebration is nothing like parades you see in big cities. Here, revelers dress in colorful handmade costumes and dance through the countryside.

What is a courir?

During a courir, riders go from house to house begging for donations to add in a community-wide gumbo. The highlight of the event is the chicken run, an honored tradition for ambitious, young revelers. During the run, the capitaine will release a chicken or guinea. Participants then compete to catch the fowl. Once captured, it makes for a nice addition to the gumbo.

History of the courir

The Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday Run) dates to when the town was first established in the late 19th century, but the tradition itself goes back even further. These traditions are based on early begging rituals from the Medieval era. The Eunice courir was abandoned for a few years during World War II. In 1946, a small band of riders revived the tradition. Today, the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras has more than 2,000 participants on the run. The run is always held on Mardi Gras Day, but it is only one part of the five-day Eunice Mardi Gras Celebration. There’s a full schedule of last year’s Mardi Gras events in Eunice here.

How to participate

Registration for this event is required, and participants must be 18 years or older. Visit the run’s Facebook page for additional details you need to know before the event. Registration is open at 6am at the Northwest Community Center. Early risers typically have a better chance of getting a seat on the trailer, but for those who are walking, the capitaine will keep you well-nourished with boudin stops along the way.

Looking for family-friendly Mardi Gras events? Visit our Mardi Gras events page for travel ideas. Need a place to stay? Find nearby accommodations.

Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Courir de Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run in Eunice, Louisiana
Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run2024-02-14T13:14:10-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Lundi Gras Boucherie

2024-02-15T13:11:45-06:00

The best way to taste Louisiana is at an old-time boucherie. The Lundi Gras Boucherie features dishes prepared by Acadiana’s best chefs. The event takes place every year in Eunice, Louisiana on the Monday before Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday. This long-running tradition began as a way to survive the winter months with plenty of meat. Today, it is a community celebration that begins early in the morning with the butchering of the hog. The meat is then prepared for dishes such as boudin, boudin rouge, cracklins, backbone stew, and ponce. Nothing goes to waste – even the ears of the hog are used to make hogshead cheese, something similar to a terrine.

This event is hosted by Lakeview Park & Beach and takes place on the grounds. All day and night, live Cajun and zydeco music bands play in the barn, turned dancehall. There is not an admission fee for this event, but you will need to purchase tickets from the bar in order to sample dishes. Beer and other adult beverages are available at the bar inside the barn.

Lundi Gras Boucherie at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie2024-02-15T13:11:45-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Cankton Courir de Mardi Gras

2024-07-19T14:17:06-05:00

Join the celebration at the 5th Annual Crew of Cankton Courir De Mardi Gras! Get ready for a day of lively festivities, mouthwatering gumbo, and a Chicken Run-Trail Ride that promises adventure and excitement.

The vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras is coming alive at the Landon Pitre Memorial Park in Cankton, just a few minutes south of Sunset. Entry fee is $5 per person at the gate.

Showcase your culinary mastery at their gumbo cook-off. Gather your team, bring your secret recipes, and compete for the title of Gumbo Champion. The entry fee is $60 per team, and the cooking starts at 9:00 AM. Make sure your creations are ready for judging at 1:30 PM – may the best gumbo win.

Embark on an unforgettable Chicken Run-Trail Ride, departing from the park at 9:00 AM. Get your costumes ready, as both top and bottom attire are required. Let the good times roll as you traverse scenic trails and embrace the thrill of the ride. The cost is $20 per person – a small price for a day full of memories and camaraderie.

Don’t forget to dress to impress. Costumes are a key ingredient to the Mardi Gras magic. From colorful feathers to sparkly sequins, let your creativity shine. While masks and capuchons aren’t required, feel free to add those finishing touches to elevate your ensemble.

Get ready to dance the day away because there will be live music starting at 2:30 PM until 5:30 PM with a live DJ starting at 9:00 AM. Stay tuned for announcements on the incredible musical acts that will be providing the soundtrack to our Mardi Gras celebration.

All proceeds benefit the Louisiana Special Olympics.

Cankton Courir de Mardi Gras2024-07-19T14:17:06-05:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

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