Cajun Mardi Gras At Vermilionville
Looking for a different type of Mardi Gras experience this year? Maybe to get out of the traffic and barricades? Or a break from the bustle and beads? You can experience a traditional Cajun Gras run, known as the Courir de Mardi Gras, and you don’t even have to leave Lafayette. Your kids can join the chicken chase, taste King Cake, make a pointed hat, hear live Cajun music, and more at Vermilionville.
So what exactly is the Courir de Mardi Gras?
According to Vermilionville’s website,
“The whole family can participate in this interactive event where the Basile Mardi Gras Association shares in the medieval tradition of the Courir de Mardi Gras. Disguised revelers, led by Le Capitaine and singing La Chanson de Mardi Gras will make their way through the historic village begging for the ingredients to make a gumbo.”
What To Expect:
We went to the Courir de Mardi Gras last year as a family and had so much fun! We skipped the documentary because we had a toddler in tow. We walked through the village with the revelers, who are all dressed up in their traditional costumes.
You don’t have to dress up though. We had a friend who donated a costume to us. I also used some old fabric, cut into strips and hot glued to some old clothes to make some of our costumes. You may want to prepare your kids because the revelers are loud and some of their masks might be scary. It’s a great opportunity to learn about Cajun culture and a lot French is spoken and sang in the songs.
After the walk through the village, the kids get to chase an actual live chicken. The chicken is thrown into the crowd and the kids scramble to catch it. It’s pretty wild, but fun. After that, you can grab lunch at Vermilionville’s restaurant, La Cuisine De Maman. Or stop by their gift shop, La Boutique, for a unique souvenir. Then you can listen to live Cajun music in the dance hall. They’ve added even more activities for kids this year. Check out the schedule below. 
Sunday February 4th, 2024 schedule of events:
10am: screening of the Mardi Gras documentary, “Dance for a Chicken”
11am: “Chanson de Mardi Gras” with musician Kevin Reese
11:30am: Mardi Gras run begins through the village and ends with the chicken chase
1-4pm: -live music from the Pine Leaf Boys
–King Cake tasting
-cooking demonstrations
-kids can make a capuchon, a traditional pointed hat
For more info and pricing, please visit Vermilion’s website. Happy chicken chasing!
