My Top 5 Favorite Mardi Gras Parades in Lafayette
If you’re looking for all the Mardi Gras fun from parades, to camps, to Mardi Gras balls then you need to look at our guide to Mardi Gras in Lafayette here. We also have a King Cake guide as well! And if your pregnancy cravings are like mine then you’lI need to know where to order one asap.
I am a transplant Cajun, and if you’ve read my past stuff you know I hail from Dallas, Texas where Mardi Gras does not exist. Luckily, I was offered a French class in middle school and all throughout high school. Our teacher was from Canada and did take the day on actual Mardi Gras (fat Tuesday) to explain the culture and tradition. That was it for me for years, a single slice of King Cake once a year in grades 8-12. Fast forward to marrying my husband who has extremely deep Cajun roots and more specifically was basically born into Mardi Gras. It wasn’t about “if” we were going to be a part of Mardi Gras as a couple, it was about which traditions are we going to make part of our family now.
Cue this list, my favorite Lafayette Mardi Gras parades to attend with our boys (all 3 and under):
- Krewe de Canailles– This is a walking parade with no barricades, and home-made throws. It is hands down my favorite parade because the creativity of our community is on full display with love and joy for this season. We have been each year since the inception, it is a guaranteed good time.
- Krewe of Rio– When my husband and I were dating we formed a bicycle krewe that rode
between the floats. We did this through two pregnancies and now there’s not a bike seat big enough for my third pregnancy and babysitters are adding up. We ditched our bikes to bring the kids to this one. - Krewe of Bonapart– We love this one because we are members of the Krewe and no matter if we ride or watch we love every second of this parade. The outstanding number of floats, each with their own theme to match the overall theme, is truly a sight to behold. Bonapart holds a special place in my heart as it was the first parade I got to ride in. I felt like my Cajun transformation was coming full circle after that particular Mardi Gras.
- Krewe des Chiens– The dog parade is another family favorite as we get to bring the
entire family, Lunchbox included. Yes, our dog’s name is Lunchbox but most affectionately called Lunchie. - King Gabriel’s Parade– This is our cherry on top moment for parade’s as we get to celebrate the Mardi Gras season one last time with the kids. This particular parade, being during the day, is a sweet relief from the hectic interruption of the bedtime routines from the parades over the past weeks.
No matter if you’re a native or transplant to Lafayette like me, what are your favorite parades? Our family learns some new trick to make it easier with kids each year, this year snack packs are a must in our wagon.
