Krewe of Gabriel

The Krewe of Gabriel has been the pivotal force in making the Lafayette area Mardi Gras what it is today, the finest, most fun filled and family oriented Mardi Gras celebration in the South. The Krewe of Gabriel was formed in 1949 by many of Lafayette's leading businessmen. The purpose of the Krewe was to assist the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association in improving and expanding Mardi Gras.

Krewe members, now into their third generation, have always served as members of the Executive Committee of the Association.

Traditionally, King Gabriel, the King of Carnival, is selected from the membership of the Krewe. Queen Evangeline, a young woman of college age, is a daughter of a Krewe member.

On Mardi Gras Day, the King's Parade is composed primarily of large and colorful floats owned by the Krewe and manned by several hundred of its members. Float riders throw a countless number of beads, trinkets, and other memorabilia to more than 250,000 excited revelers.

When one speaks of the finest traditions of Mardi Gras, one speaks of the work of the Krewe of Gabriel.