Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras

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LindseyJanies.com

If you're going to be in Lake Charles or anywhere in Southwest Louisiana this Mardi Gras, there's plenty of fun to be had. The area presents a packed Carnival calendar, including but by no means limited to these highlights. Keep abreast of these events even more Mardi Gras festivities all around Southwest Louisiana at swlamardigras.com.

February 7

Mardi Gras Community Dance: Get your blood pumping with this free Cajun dance presented by the City of Lake Charles and Community Inclusion. 6–8:30 pm at the Civic Center. 

February 12

Krewe of the Golden Years Senior Citizens' Mardi Gras Dance: An ode to those who passed this grande hoorah down to the rest of us. Food and a proper Mardi Gras ball at the Civic Center 8 am–noon.

February 15

Vinton Mardi Gras: Frills, feathers, and Mardi Gras magic downtown Vinton. Gumbo cook-off at 8 am, parade at 1 pm starting at Vinton Middle School and ending at Knights of Columbus Hall just in time for free gumbo tastings.

February 20

Lighted Boat Parade: See the lake light up, thanks to the efforts of well-festooned boats. 7 pm along the seawall. 

February 21

Merchants Parade: Local business and civic leaders march the streets of downtown-midtown Lake Charles. 7 pm. 

February 22

World Famous Cajun Extravaganza and Gumbo Cook-off: Amateur and professional teams compete for the chicken & sausage, seafood, and wild game gumbos. 8 am–2 pm at the Civic Center. $5.

Krewe of Omega Parade: The only Southwest Louisiana Krewe to hold its own parade, Omega celebrates the African American community of the region. 2 pm. 

Mystical Krewe of Barkus Parade: Furry and fabulous, costumed pets parade down Gill Street for one of the most highly attended parades of the season, all competing for the title "Mystical Dog". 2 pm. 

February 23

Mardi Gras Zydeco Dance: Get a few more moves in. Held at the Civic Center from 11 am–1 pm. 

Children's Day and Parade: A day devoted entirely to the little ones, this Mardi Gras fête brings together culture, music, and education. Noon–3 pm, parade at 3:30 pm. 

Mardi Gras Madness 5K: Running for boudin, running for King Cake, and maybe an adult beverage or two, all in downtown-midtown Lake Charles. 2:30 pm.  

February 24

Lundi Gras Day Party: A masked party with all the bites and boogie of the season. Held from 5–9 pm at the Blue Martini. $75 admission.

Mardi Gras Royal Gala: The Cinderella night of Mardi Gras. Over 60 krewes promenade through the Civic Center Coliseum. 7 pm. $6 in advance, $7 at the door.

February 25

Iowa Chicken Run: Even if you don't catch a chicken, you can have some gumbo after the chase. Parade departs from the Iowa Knights of Columbus Hall at 10 am. 

Second Line Stroll: Skipping the floats, area groups strut their Mardi Gras spirit down Ryan Street to the tunes of Mardi Gras music in this walking parade. 1 pm. 

Jeeps on Parade: Jeep lovers unite to roll down Ryan Street. 2 pm. 

Motor Gras Parade: Right behind the Jeep-snobs, hot rods classics and motorcycles ride down Ryan. 3 pm. 

Krewe of Krewes: The big one. Over a hundred floats from a variety of local krewes roll through downtown Lake Charles starting at 5 pm.