Mardi Gras In Cajun Country
I have to admit I am completely jealous of my husband. He was invited to the heart of Cajun Country In Lafayette, Louisiana to experience Mardi Gras their way. I love and am fascinated by Mardi Gras and how it is celebrated not only in the USA but in the world.
As a Catholic from Northern Ohio, we simply celebrated Mardi Gras as Fat Tuesday. It was an opportunity to eat whatever you want and enjoy life without guilt because the next day and for the rest of lent, you have to fast and sacrifice by giving something up. There are so many variations of "Fat Tuesday" through the USA. Each community has their own traditions but whether they are eating pancakes, donuts or whatever it's all a great celebration of food and revelry. Personally though, I believe Louisiana and the Gulf Coast do it the best here in the good ol' US of A!
My eyes were opened to Mardi Gras in New Orleans by a friend I met when in college. I am so thankful to her for the experience because she told me how they celebrate it and not just the way tourists who come down there and flash boobs and other stuff on Bourbon Street do. Many people don't believe me when I say the Mardi Gras parades are family-friendly. It is understandable if all you see of Mardi Gras on tv is bourbon street and Girls Gone Wild. I continue to tell people there is much more than Bourbon Street and that is just a small part.
We have been to Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans many times and have always wanted to see Courir de Mardi Gras in Cajun Country. This Carnival tradition dates back centuries and is where men and women wearing costumes on horseback or trucks or even ATVs roam the countryside begging residents for ingredients for gumbo. There are bands and other onlookers that follow and once they get all their ingredients and find a town they start cooking and a communal gumbo is shared with everyone in attendance.
The Courir de Mardi Gras is celebrated differently in every town in Arcadia (the Cajun region surrounding Lafayette, LA). Lafayette though, celebrates in more of a carnival-style similar to New Orleans with parades and such.
Along with all the great food and music that is in Cajun country it sounds like an event no one should miss and should be on everyone's bucket lists.
More links to Cajon Country
https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog/post/mardi-gras-treasures/
https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog/post/mardi-gras-royalty/
https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog/post/mardi-gras-frequently-asked-questions/
https://cajuntravel.com/event/lundi-gras-boucherie/
As a Catholic from Northern Ohio, we simply celebrated Mardi Gras as Fat Tuesday. It was an opportunity to eat whatever you want and enjoy life without guilt because the next day and for the rest of lent, you have to fast and sacrifice by giving something up. There are so many variations of "Fat Tuesday" through the USA. Each community has their own traditions but whether they are eating pancakes, donuts or whatever it's all a great celebration of food and revelry. Personally though, I believe Louisiana and the Gulf Coast do it the best here in the good ol' US of A!
My eyes were opened to Mardi Gras in New Orleans by a friend I met when in college. I am so thankful to her for the experience because she told me how they celebrate it and not just the way tourists who come down there and flash boobs and other stuff on Bourbon Street do. Many people don't believe me when I say the Mardi Gras parades are family-friendly. It is understandable if all you see of Mardi Gras on tv is bourbon street and Girls Gone Wild. I continue to tell people there is much more than Bourbon Street and that is just a small part.
We have been to Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans many times and have always wanted to see Courir de Mardi Gras in Cajun Country. This Carnival tradition dates back centuries and is where men and women wearing costumes on horseback or trucks or even ATVs roam the countryside begging residents for ingredients for gumbo. There are bands and other onlookers that follow and once they get all their ingredients and find a town they start cooking and a communal gumbo is shared with everyone in attendance.
The Courir de Mardi Gras is celebrated differently in every town in Arcadia (the Cajun region surrounding Lafayette, LA). Lafayette though, celebrates in more of a carnival-style similar to New Orleans with parades and such.
Along with all the great food and music that is in Cajun country it sounds like an event no one should miss and should be on everyone's bucket lists.
More links to Cajon Country
https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog/post/mardi-gras-treasures/
https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog/post/mardi-gras-royalty/
https://www.lafayettetravel.com/blog/post/mardi-gras-frequently-asked-questions/
https://cajuntravel.com/event/lundi-gras-boucherie/
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