Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras
Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras. As you would probably guess, almost everyone in Louisiana celebrates Mardi Gras. Lake Charles and Southwest Louisiana certainly do. Lake Charles is celebrating its 30th Annual Mardi Gras this year with parades, dances, trail rides, cook-offs and balls.
According to Angie Manning-Istre, Communications Manager for the Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau, Lake Charles and the surrounding area promote an extremely family friendly environment, including a Children’s Day and Children’s Parade.
The parading starts this year in the town of Vinton, which kicks off its Mardi Gras Celebration with a Mardi Gras parade at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, which will weave through Vinton and end at City Hall, where there will be free gumbo for all.
On Friday, Feb. 20, local business leaders and social organizations take to the streets for the Merchant’s Parade in the Downtown-Midtown area of Lake Charles.
On Saturday, there’s something for everyone.
“There’s a Gumbo Cook-Off, a Zydeco dance, the Krewe of Barkus Parade (which is for dogs!) and the Krewe of Illusions Presentation. The Krewe of Illusions presentation is fantastic and you’ll be wowed as they present their royalty in fabulous costumes along with a little show,” said Ms. Manning-Istre.
Among many “must see” events, be sure not to miss the Lighted Boat Parade on Sunday night, Feb. 22, and the Royal Gala on Monday, Feb. 23, which is the presentation of every krewe in Southwest Louisiana.
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On Mardi Gras day, Lake Charles starts with a block party downtown at 10 a.m., which is celebrated with Lake Charles’ sister city, Sioux City. The party is followed by a Red Hat Parade and a Parade of Past Krewe Royalty.
Fat Tuesday peaks with the Krewe of Krewes’ Parade that winds for four miles through Lake Charles, with hundreds of floats, costumes, and lots of beads.
Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras. Mardigras. mardigras. Louisiana. LA.