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 28

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

March 1

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. 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. Time TBD 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.

DeRidder Parade: This first-annual parade departs from the corner of 1st Street and Hwy 171,  and ending at Steamboat Bills. Rolls at 4 pm.  louisianatravel.com.

March 2

Lake Charles Children's Parade: Fun on wheels for the little ones. 3:30 pm.  visitlakecharles.org.

March 4

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 at the Allen Parish Civic Center. allenparish.com. 

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. $15 for adults and $10 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.

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

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

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