Cajun Mardi Gras in St. Landry Parish

Sponsored Content

When it comes to Cajun food, no one does it better than the folks in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana! From boudin to yams and a little seasoning on the side, St. Landry Parish is the “Prairie Home Cooking” loop of Louisiana Culinary Trails.

Here, the many events and festivals celebrate culinary treats like cracklins, gumbo, and étouffée! Annually, they host three cook-offs and more than a dozen festivals and cultural celebrations. Food is a “religion” in this part of the world and it’s the love and attention that goes into every dish—from the field to the table that is celebrated with every meal.

gumbo564

Of the cultural celebrations, one of the most widely recognized is the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras that takes place in Eunice, Louisiana. This celebration dates back from when the town was first established in the late 19th century, and since then, the Capitaines have been diligent to preserve the ritual.

This is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras with congested crowds, beads, and doubloons. Instead, you’ll find men and women on horseback donned in handcrafted wire masks, tall hats called capuchons, and very distinctive costumes.

The celebration begins the Friday before Mardi Gras day and culminates with the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras procession or “chicken run” where revelers process over the countryside chasing chickens and gathering ingredients for a community gumbo.

mgforweb

 

Visit St. Landry Parish to experience long-standing traditions and taste Cajun and Creole cuisine at its finest. Go to CajunTravel.com to plan your trip.

Event Spotlight: Cajun Country Courir de Mardi Gras
February 22-28, 2017
Eunice, Louisiana
This unique five day Mardi Gras celebration dates back to the late 19th century with the main event being the Courir de Mardi Gras procession or “chicken run,” which involves chasing a live chicken and collecting for a community gumbo.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.