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 9

Merchants Parade: Local business and civic leaders march the streets of downtown-midtown Lake Charles during this community-oriented parade. 7 pm. visitlakecharles.org. 

February 10

Oberlin Children's Courir de Mardi Gras: Oberlin starts the Saturday before Fat Tuesday with their Children's Courir at 8 am, with gumbo served at The Crawfish Shack and live music performances to follow beginning at noon with Kajun Koozans, followed by Bernie Alan Band at The Vault at 2 pm, then the Allons Dancer Band at The Crawfish Shack at 6 pm, followed by Morgan Lemelle and the Zydeco Playmakers at 7:30 pm at The Rice Bin. The Oberlin Mardi Gras Marches begin at 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. allenparish.com. 

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. $10, kids ten and younger free. visitlakecharles.org. 

Mystical Krewe of Barkus Parade: Furry and fabulous, costumed pets parade down Gill Street in Lake Charles for one of the most highly-attended parades of the season. 1 pm. visitlakecharles.org.

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. visitlakecharles.org.

Louisiana Saturday Night in DeRidder Parade: This first-annual parade departs from the corner of Pine Street and 171 South, heading north on Pine Street and ending at Steamboat Bills. 4 pm. Head there in the morning for the 10th annual gumbo cook–off. louisianatravel.com.

February 11

Lake Charles Children's Parade: Fun on wheels for the little ones. 1 pm.  visitlakecharles.org.

February 12

Mardi Gras Nursing Home Visit: Allen Parish brings the Mardi Gras to the folks at the St. Francis Nursing Home at 5 pm. 

February 13

Jeeps on Parade: The name says it all about this Jeep-centric Lake Charles Mardi Gras Parade down Ryan Street. 2:30 pm. visitlakecharles.org.

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. visitlakecharles.org.

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 8 am. $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. visitlakecharles.org.

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. visitlakecharles.org.

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

Oberlin Courir de Mardi Gras: Oberlin starts bright and early at 7 am, requiring traditional capuchin and courier costumes for their chicken run that stops for lunch at the Castor Creek Hunting Club before parading through Oberlin and ending with a community gumbo and live music by Kevin Naquin & Cajun Preservation at the Allen Parish Civic Center. allenparish.com.