This weekend, celebrations start early, end late and go well into the week for Mardi Gras! Everything from parades to their afterparties are featured here, so you’ll know where to go before you start your night. This week is all about runs, floats, live music and, of course, poor boys. Whether you’re into catching throws or chickens, we’ve got you covered.
2/21: Lent Stress Test 2020: Olde Tyme Grocery brings back the Lent Stress Tent this year, and with it, an insanely good deal on shrimp poor boys. Stop by Olde Tyme before hitting the parades to help them prepare their krewe for the upcoming week and Lenten season with $8 whole shrimp-poboys. You can pick up your poor boy starting at 8 a.m. and through the parade times at 10 p.m.
2/21: Friday Night at Le Festival de Mardi Gras: A night of free music awaits revelers this weekend with performances at Cajun Field! Keith Frank, DJs and more will take the stage starting at 6 p.m. These performances coincide with the fair, and rides open at 5 p.m. Please leave ice chests and outside drinks at home.
2/24 Parade of the Day — Krewe de Bonaparte: For almost 50 years, the Krewe de Bonaparte has made its way through Lafayette. The 4-mile long tradition will start rolling at the corner of Simcoe, Surrey and Jefferson streets at 6:30 p.m. and end the night at the Cajundome. The Krewe de Bonaparte was first established in 1972 to encourage young Lafayette residents to participate in Mardi Gras, and has remained one of the most well-known and well-attended parades ever since.
2/24: Lundi Gras at the Holiday Lounge: Kyle Huval and the Dixie Club Ramblers will precede the Daiquiri Queens for the annual Lundi Gras party at the historic Holiday Lounge! Located in Mamou, the Holiday is something of a hidden, electric gem that is a bit of a time capsule. The cash only bar requests that you leave big bills and outside drinks at home. The Holiday will open at 7p.m. and cover is $10.
2/25: Parade of the Day — Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras: The annual Faquetaigue of Eunice, so bizarre and colorful that the “New York Times” covered it, is not the more modern float-and-costume parade. The country Mardi Gras entails a full costume made from scraps of clothing, a mask, and an affinity for drinking while chasing a chicken at 8 a.m. Registration is $20, and potential runners can register at the Lundi Gras pre-party at the Holiday Lounge in Mamou the night before or upon arrival in full costume Tuesday morning.
