Staff Report
The Mardi Gras is “looking good” said Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot.
“We are just praying for some good weather, but rain or shine it is going to go on,” he said.
The mayor said he isn’t worried about the crowds showing up.
There’s a 40 percent chance of rain Friday, but nearly 100 percent chance that Wayne Toups is going to perform at 10 p.m. at the stage at Walnut and 2nd streets.
The Eunice Mardi Gras draws a crowd each year because “it is original and very unique like none around,” Fontenot said.
And despite the party, the Eunice Mardi Gras remains a family event.
“Whether they come here once or twice they never forget us,” he said.
The five-day celebration includes the beads and doubloons of big city Mardi Gras and the rural run where riders, men and women, travel outside Eunice to chase chickens and fund to arrive back in the city for a parade.
The ride on Tuesday usually draws hundreds of people on horseback and on wagons.
This year is thought to be the 123 year of the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras.
The schedule includes the following.
Friday (stage at Walnut & 2nd St.)
7 to 10 p.m. – live music.
Saturday (stage at Walnut & 2nd St.)
Noon until – live music.
3 p.m. – Jam session and cooking demo at Jean Lafitte National Park.
3 p.m. – Parade of Paws (Cajun Canine Mardi Gras Dog Parade Downtown).
6 to 7:30 p.m. – Liberty Theatre Show.
6.p.m. – Live music at Rocky’s Cajun Kitchen
7:30 p.m. – Fais Do-Do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park and Beach.
9 p.m. – Street dance and music at Nicks on 2nd.
Sunday (stage at Walnut & 2nd St.)
10 a.m. live music begins.
9 a.m. – Lil’ Mardi Gras (children’s’ run) leaves the Eunice Recreation Complex.
9:30 a.m. – Old Time Boucherie (hog butchering) on 2nd Street.
3 p.m. – Lil’ Mardi Gras arrives downtown on 2nd Street.
7:30 p.m. – Fais Do-Do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park & Beach
Monday (stage at Walnut & 2nd St.)
7 p.m.-till – live music.
8 a.m. – Annual Lundi Gras Boucherie at Lakeview Park & Beach
Noon – Presentation at the Liberty Theatre – history of rural Mardi Gras with Dr. Barry Ancelet.
1 to 3 p.m. – Mardi Gras dance at the Northwest Community Center.
9 p.m. – Live music at Nicks on 2nd.
9 p.m. – Fais Do-Do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park & Beach.
Tuesday (stage at Walnut & 2nd St.)
9:30 a.m. -till – Live music.
8 a.m. – Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run leaves the Northwest Community Center.
10 a.m. – Arts and crafts, food, music, and dancing (downtown)
3 p.m. – Truck parade followed by the Courir de Mardi Gras.
6 p.m. – Live music at Nicks on 2nd.
7:30p.m. – Fais Do-Do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park & Beach.