A&E

2011 schedule of Lafayette Mardi Gras parades and festivities

by Dege Legg

Here is a comprehensive list of all the parades and festivities occurring in and around the Lafayette area during Mardi Gras week. Whether you are game for a full week of Mardi Gras festivities or just feel like seeing one or two parades, you might print out this schedule and stick it to your refrigerator. The following is comprehensive list of parades and festivities occurring in and around the Lafayette area during Mardi Gras week. Have fun. Be careful. And watch out for pedestrians.

Feb. 26
Krewe des Chiens Parade

The annual parade for dogs. Downtown, Lafayette. Costume contest at noon, parade at 2 p.m.  www.paradefordogs.com.

Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. Lafayette's newest krewe parades with spectacular new floats and nearly 600 riders armed with over 60 tons of the coolest collection of beads and throws. 984-6522, www.kreweofrio.com

Feb. 27
Courir de Mardi Gras - Old-Fashion Mardi Gras Run

Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Rd., 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lafayette. The Basile Mardi Gras Association returns to stir up mischief and fun by bringing their country Mardi Gras to the city. On Sunday, they will bring many of their deep-rooted traditions including costumes and begging for gumbo ingredients in a tradition "run" through the historic village. After the run, gumbo will be available for purchase. There will also be a king cake demonstration at 12:30 p.m. The Lafayette Rhythm Devils perform at 1 p.m.
Adults - $8,
Senior Citizens - $6.50
Children - $5
Under 6 yrs. - free
Memberships honored. AAA Members receive $1.00-off admission.
233-4077
www.vermilionville.com
.

Scott Mardi Gras Parade
1 p.m.
269-5155
www.scottlouisiana.org

March 4
Friday Night Parade

Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. Featuring multiple krewes from the Greater Southwest Mardi Gras Association.
232-3737, 800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

March 4-8
Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette

Cajun Field, Lafayette. Presented by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association, the festival includes an exciting carnival midway, native Cajun foods and an outstanding line-up of live entertainment. To make the festival a complete Mardi Gras experience, all of Lafayette's parades roll through the festival grounds.
232-3737, 800-346-1958,
www.gomardigras.com

March 5
Carencro Mardi Gras Parade

Downtown, Carencro. 11 a.m. Organized by the Carencro Mardi Gras Association, the parade begins at Carencro High School.
896-4147

Children's Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 12:30 p.m. Featuring Greater Southwest Mardi Gras Association children's krewes.
232-3737, 800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade
Public Works building to Fountain View, Youngsville. 1 p.m.
856-4181.

Krewe of Bonaparte Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 6:30 p.m.
232-3737, 800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

March 7 ~ Lundi Gras
Queen's Parade

Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 6 p.m. Celebrating Queen Evangeline and her Court.
232-3737, 800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

March 8 ~ Mardi Gras Day
King's Court at Mardi Gras

Corner of Polk & Vermilion, Lafayette. Music, food, fun, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Costume contest, 9 a.m. 291-5566
www.downtownlafayette.org

Mardi Gras Show at Clark Field
Clark Field Stadium, Lafayette. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Experience North Lafayette's cultural diversity with music, food, costume designers, dancers and fun.
www.mardigrasshow.com

King's Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 10 a.m. Celebrating King Gabriel, who reigns over the Lafayette Mardi Gras.
232-3737, 800-346-1958
www.gomardigras.com

Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 1 p.m. Celebrating King Toussaint L'Ouverture and Queen Suzanne Simmone.
232-3737, 800-346-1958
www.Lafayette.Travel

Fox 15 Independent Parade
Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 2 p.m.
237-1500
www.gomardigras.com

Greater Southwest La. Mardi Gras Ball & Pageant
Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette. 8 p.m. midnight.
The pomp and splendor of Mardi Gras royalty is open to the public. The pageant starts at 8 p.m., followed by a formal Mardi Gras ball.
291-5555
www.gomardigras.com

Aditional parades and festivities occurring outside of the Lafayette area.

March 4, 7 p.m.
Merchants' Parade
Lake Charles

March 5, 2 pm.
Krewe of Omega Parade
Lake Charles

March 5, 3 p.m.
Krewe of Barkus Parade
Lake Charles

March 6, 3 p.m.
Children's Parade
Lake Charles

March 8, 5:30 p.m.
Krewe of Krewes Parade
Lake Charles
**
Feb. 27**
Krewe of Ezana Jeanerette Mardi Gras Parade
Jeanerette
276-4164

March 4-8
Courir du Mardi Gras
Eunice
457-7389

March 8, 11 a.m.
Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade
Jeanerette
365-8185

March 8, 1 p.m.
Krewe of Coteau Mardi Gras Parade
Coteau
519-4606

March 8, 2 pm.
Family Affair Mardi Gras Parade
Loreauville
229-6001

March 4, 7 p.m.
Krewe of Adonis Parade
Morgan City

March 5, 2 p.m.
Krewe of Dionysus Parade
Bayou Vista

March 5, 1 p.m.
Cypremort Point Parade
Cypremort Point

March 5, 11 a.m.
Baldwin Mardi Gras Parade
Baldwin

March 6, 2 pm.
Krewe of Galatea Parade
Morgan City

March 7, 2 p.m.
Krewe of Amani Parade
Patterson

March 8, 2 p.m.
Krewe of Hephaestus Parade
Morgan City

March 8, 1 p.m.
All-Krewes Parade
Franklin

Feb. 25, 6 p.m.
Krewe of Hercules
Houma

Feb. 26, noon
Krewe of Tee Caillou
Chauvin

Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Aquarius
Houma

Feb. 27, noon
Krewe of Hyacinthians & Krewe of Titans
Houma

March 4, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Aphrodite
Houma

March 5, 6:30 p.m.
Krewe of Mardi Gras
Houma

March 6, 12:30 p.m.
Krewe of Terreanians & Krewe of Tut
Houma

March 6, 2 p.m.
Krewe of Montegut
Montegut

March 7, 6:30 pm.
Krewe of Cleopatra
Houma

March 8, 11 a.m.
Krewe of Houmas & Krewe of Kajuns
Houma

March 8, 4 p.m.
Krewe of Bonne Terre
Montegut