Mardi Gras Season Begins in Acadiana

Sure, it looks like rain, but no rain can stop Mardi Gras. This weekend kicks off Mardi Gras in Acadiana with Krewe de Canaille’s parade without barricades! There are more Mardi Gras-related activities to follow, including the Krewe de Chien parade, as well as some unique opportunities to exposure yourself to the culture, such as a show at the historic Whirlybird Fiddle Bar or a Vermilionville demonstration. 

2/22: Krewe de Canailles, A Parade Without Barricades: Lafayette’s inclusive Krewe de Canailles parade will make its second trek through downtown Friday night beginning at 7 p.m. Krewe members will honor this year’s theme, Louisiana folklore, by marching in costume and pushing their own floats. This event is absolutely free to the public, and attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and bring noisemakers and flashing lights to the route. The route begins near the Downtown Lafayette sign on Cypress Street, then to Jefferson, Vermilion, Lee and Garfield streets.

2/22: KDC Afterparty: The Krewe de Canailles parade route ends at Warehouse 535 for the official afterparty! This is a Mardi Gras ball for everyone. Grammy-nominated Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars and the New Natives Brass Band will take the stage. Costumes are highly encouraged! Admission is $10 at the door for everyone age 21 and over. 

2/23: Krewe des Chien Parade: Lafayette’s premiere dog parade will go through downtown Lafayette at 2 p.m. Saturday! This kid-friendly parade will feature dogs of all breeds walking the streets of downtown in costumes. 

2/23: Albanie Falletta with Sabra and the Get Rights: The Whirlybird in Opelousas hosts New Orleans guitarist, vocalist, bandleader and composer Albanie Falletta and Lafayette-based honky-tonk act Sabra and the Get Rights this Saturday night at 7 p.m. Falletta has been playing and singing swing music professionally since she was 15, taking influence from her travels and experiences in Austin, and will perform New Orleans traditional music, acoustic blues, ragtime and original songs. Sabra and the Get Rights specialize in tight and fun dance music for the retro music enthusiast. Tickets are $15 on Eventbrite.

2/24: Courir de Mardi Gras & Manger: Vermillionville will host the Basile Mardi Gras Association as they bring the traditional Mardi Gras of the country to the city. The chicken run starts at 11:30 a.m., and ends with a chicken chase for children. After the chase, Feu Follet will take the stage in the Performance Center. Vermilionville is adding Manger: A Community Celebration of Foodways to the itinerary, which will feature local cooks, artists, writers, poets, folklorists, anthropologists, historians and musicians to join in a community-wide demonstration of their skills. Admission is $5 per person, but ages 3 and under get in free. 

 

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