HitTheRoadSteve: Lafayette, Louisiana -Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras in Cajun Country

Lafayette, Louisiana 2006

One of the most colorful and unique pre-Lenten celebrations in the world is Mardi Gras in Lafayette, Louisiana. It's strictly a family affair. Flashing for beads is a no-no. Many families spend a day of it, cooking barbeque at their own family plot along the parades route. Yes, parades, in the plural, because on Mardi Gras Day, beginning at ten in the morning, there is a new parade every two hours. That's a total of three parades in one day, plus there's an after-dark parade the night before.

Treasures of strung beads awaiting a toss

The parades are a throw-treasure for people along the route - costumed people on the floats all throw strings of beads to the sea of hands in the air. "Gimme me some throw, Mister" is heard above the din. Fancy beads like these are special.

Smokin' percussion

Mardi Gras is actually its own season, with weeks of parties, dances and other events. The music is lively and partiers dance their buns off, so to speak.

Revving things up

Various shades of pink wigs are the high fashion statement for this King Xanadu XVI ball.

Gettin' Down

There is no way to NOT have a good time in Cajun/Creole Country; good times are a cultural specialty. "Bon temps!" is the motto, which basically means, "Let the good times roll!"


King Xanadu XVI himself (Steve May), sharing a dance with a well-wisher.	Even the King, well, especially the King, can step outside for a wee nip and a cigar.


At the Friday night parade, the Queen's Parade, all hands are up for some "throw," the beads of plenty. A laundry basket reaches higher and maybe catches more.	On Lafayette's day of three parades, a party and group costume contest are held in a park next to the parade route. The party and contest take place BEFORE the parades even begin.

Seasonings are big in Cajun Country, and
Lafayette is close to Avery Island where
Tabasco Sauce is made.

No parking for a whole WEEK?
Lafayette takes its Mardi gras seriously.

Costumes can take a political turn. These three don't think much of levee construction and maintenance before Hurricane Katrina.

Purple "throw" from the King's float. Oysterman rules! Even by the half-dozen, you can't get enough of 'em. It wouldn't be a parade without a saxaphone-playing unicyclist and his friends.


Check out these elementary school band uniforms. The town of Sunset takes its music seriously.	CHEER on, Number 22!

Pretty scary. Good thing this float display is only seen in the daylight.

This display is on the Oilfield Chili Cook Off float. They throw pretty nice bead.

The fire chief gives good throw too, to the applause of parade-watchers.

Gotta love peppers in Cajun Country. Those Tabasco bottles never seem big enough.


It wouldn't be a parade without majorettes.	It's a sea of hands on both sides of the street, and throwing for a couple of hours can get pretty tiring.