Here is a comprehensive list of all the parades and festivities occurring in and around the Lafayette area during Mardi Gras week. Whether you are game for a full week of Mardi Gras festivities or just feel like seeing one or two parades, you might print out this schedule and stick it to your refrigerator. The following is comprehensive list of parades and festivities occurring in and around the Lafayette area during Mardi Gras week. Have fun. Be careful. And watch out for pedestrians.
Feb. 26 Krewe des Chiens Parade The annual parade for dogs. Downtown, Lafayette. Costume contest at noon, parade at 2 p.m. www.paradefordogs.com.
Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. Lafayette's newest krewe parades with spectacular new floats and nearly 600 riders armed with over 60 tons of the coolest collection of beads and throws. 984-6522, www.kreweofrio.com
Feb. 27 Courir de Mardi Gras - Old-Fashion Mardi Gras Run Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Rd., 10:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lafayette. The Basile Mardi Gras Association returns to stir up mischief and fun by bringing their country Mardi Gras to the city. On Sunday, they will bring many of their deep-rooted traditions including costumes and begging for gumbo ingredients in a tradition "run" through the historic village. After the run, gumbo will be available for purchase. There will also be a king cake demonstration at 12:30 p.m. The Lafayette Rhythm Devils perform at 1 p.m. Adults - $8, Senior Citizens - $6.50 Children - $5 Under 6 yrs. - free Memberships honored. AAA Members receive $1.00-off admission. 233-4077 www.vermilionville.com.
Scott Mardi Gras Parade 1 p.m. 269-5155 www.scottlouisiana.org
March 4 Friday Night Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. Featuring multiple krewes from the Greater Southwest Mardi Gras Association. 232-3737, 800-346-1958 www.gomardigras.com
March 4-8 Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette Cajun Field, Lafayette. Presented by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association, the festival includes an exciting carnival midway, native Cajun foods and an outstanding line-up of live entertainment. To make the festival a complete Mardi Gras experience, all of Lafayette's parades roll through the festival grounds. 232-3737, 800-346-1958, www.gomardigras.com
March 5 Carencro Mardi Gras Parade Downtown, Carencro. 11 a.m. Organized by the Carencro Mardi Gras Association, the parade begins at Carencro High School. 896-4147
Children's Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 12:30 p.m. Featuring Greater Southwest Mardi Gras Association children's krewes. 232-3737, 800-346-1958 www.gomardigras.com
Youngsville Mardi Gras Parade Public Works building to Fountain View, Youngsville. 1 p.m. 856-4181.
Krewe of Bonaparte Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 6:30 p.m. 232-3737, 800-346-1958 www.gomardigras.com
March 7 ~ Lundi Gras Queen's Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 6 p.m. Celebrating Queen Evangeline and her Court. 232-3737, 800-346-1958 www.gomardigras.com
March 8 ~ Mardi Gras Day King's Court at Mardi Gras Corner of Polk & Vermilion, Lafayette. Music, food, fun, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Costume contest, 9 a.m. 291-5566 www.downtownlafayette.org
Mardi Gras Show at Clark Field Clark Field Stadium, Lafayette. 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Experience North Lafayette's cultural diversity with music, food, costume designers, dancers and fun. www.mardigrasshow.com
King's Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 10 a.m. Celebrating King Gabriel, who reigns over the Lafayette Mardi Gras. 232-3737, 800-346-1958 www.gomardigras.com
Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 1 p.m. Celebrating King Toussaint L'Ouverture and Queen Suzanne Simmone. 232-3737, 800-346-1958 www.Lafayette.Travel
Fox 15 Independent Parade Downtown to Cajun Field, Lafayette. 2 p.m. 237-1500 www.gomardigras.com
Greater Southwest La. Mardi Gras Ball & Pageant Heymann Performing Arts Center, Lafayette. 8 p.m. midnight. The pomp and splendor of Mardi Gras royalty is open to the public. The pageant starts at 8 p.m., followed by a formal Mardi Gras ball. 291-5555 www.gomardigras.com
Aditional parades and festivities occurring outside of the Lafayette area.
March 4, 7 p.m. Merchants' Parade Lake Charles
March 5, 2 pm. Krewe of Omega Parade Lake Charles
March 5, 3 p.m. Krewe of Barkus Parade Lake Charles
March 6, 3 p.m. Children's Parade Lake Charles
March 8, 5:30 p.m. Krewe of Krewes Parade Lake Charles Feb. 27 Krewe of Ezana Jeanerette Mardi Gras Parade Jeanerette 276-4164
March 4-8 Courir du Mardi Gras Eunice 457-7389
March 8, 11 a.m. Grand Marais Mardi Gras Parade Jeanerette 365-8185
March 8, 1 p.m. Krewe of Coteau Mardi Gras Parade Coteau 519-4606
March 8, 2 pm. Family Affair Mardi Gras Parade Loreauville 229-6001
March 4, 7 p.m. Krewe of Adonis Parade Morgan City
March 5, 2 p.m. Krewe of Dionysus Parade Bayou Vista
March 5, 1 p.m. Cypremort Point Parade Cypremort Point
March 5, 11 a.m. Baldwin Mardi Gras Parade Baldwin
March 6, 2 pm. Krewe of Galatea Parade Morgan City
March 7, 2 p.m. Krewe of Amani Parade Patterson
March 8, 2 p.m. Krewe of Hephaestus Parade Morgan City
March 8, 1 p.m. All-Krewes Parade Franklin
Feb. 25, 6 p.m. Krewe of Hercules Houma
Feb. 26, noon Krewe of Tee Caillou Chauvin
Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Aquarius Houma
Feb. 27, noon Krewe of Hyacinthians & Krewe of Titans Houma
March 4, 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Aphrodite Houma
March 5, 6:30 p.m. Krewe of Mardi Gras Houma
March 6, 12:30 p.m. Krewe of Terreanians & Krewe of Tut Houma
March 6, 2 p.m. Krewe of Montegut Montegut
March 7, 6:30 pm. Krewe of Cleopatra Houma
March 8, 11 a.m. Krewe of Houmas & Krewe of Kajuns Houma
March 8, 4 p.m. Krewe of Bonne Terre Montegut