Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras
to
Lake Charles, La. Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601
![Iowa-Chicken-Run_LindseyJanies.com-(8).jpg Iowa-Chicken-Run_LindseyJanies.com-(8).jpg](https://countryroadsmagazine.com/downloads/9675/download/Iowa-Chicken-Run_LindseyJanies.com-%288%29.jpg?cb=c1291ba7acbd3dbec38a4c948b3d49fb&w={width}&h={height})
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.