Welcome

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association (“GSW”) has organized safe and family friendly Mardi Gras parades in Lafayette for 90 years, since 1934. Today over 20 Krewes are recognized under the GSW “umbrella.” The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association serves as a liaison between agencies of the Lafayette Consolidated Government, the Lafayette Sheriff’s Department, and other public bodies and all Krewes that are under the GSLMGA umbrella in coordinating their needs.

The Association not only coordinates and stages the parades, but presents the City Ball on Mardi Gras night. The City Ball is open to the public with no admission fee. The Association also produces and coordinates Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette at Cajun Field with carnival rides and games, a wide variety of live music, great Cajun food. The parades roll right through the festival site so everyone can enjoy all Mardi Gras has to offer at one convenient location.

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association was established to foster, promote and coordinate Lafayette’s Mardi Gras celebration. The Association is not a Krewe, but is a board of volunteers who produce and coordinate the City Ball and
Parades, including securing floats, hiring marching bands, purchasing insurance, and working with area governmental agencies. The Association also produces the “Le Festival de Mardi Gras a’ Lafayette” at Cajun Field.

The costs of Mardi Gras – the biggest free party in Lafayette - are borne by the various Krewes and their members, and by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association. The festival is for 5 days starting Friday evening thru to Tuesday.

2024 Le Festival de Mardi Gras, Presented By


THE ASSOCIATION


The Association is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of thirty men and women representing various civic organizations and a number of service minded individuals from the community who have a common interest - “MARDI GRAS”.

The association also produces and coordinates Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette at Cajun Field with carnival rides and games, a wide variety of live music, great Cajun food. The parades come right through the festival site so everyone can enjoy all Mardi Gras has to offer at one convenient location.

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association serves as a liaison between agencies of the Lafayette Consolidated Government, the Lafayette Sheriff’s Department, and other public bodies and all Krewes that are under the GSW umbrella in coordinating their needs.

Mardi Gras Krewes


Chris Villemarette
(337) 654-3967
Chairman of Parades 

Blaine Goodrich 
(337) 984-3700
Chairman of Independent Parade-Mardi Gras Day 

Robert Kallam 
(337) 280-9365
Chairman of Friday Kick off Parade 


PRESS RELEASE

The Friday Night Kickoff Parade to feature Krewe Allons, Lafayette’s newest Krewe!

LAFAYETTE, LA (December 21, 2023) – Get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler in a whole new way! The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association (“GSW”) is thrilled to announce that the Friday Night Kickoff Parade will feature the Krewe of Allons and its inaugural ride through the streets of Lafayette on Friday, February 9th, 2024.

Krewe Allons is the recently formed collective created for the promotion of the Name, Image and Likeness of Ragin’ Cajuns student-athletes. This Friday night parade will kick off the Mardi Gras week festivities in Lafayette. The parade will roll along the traditional parade route, bringing new excitement and Ragin’ Cajuns flair to the celebration.

The Krewe Allons aims to provide a unique and accessible Mardi Gras experience for everyone. With opportunities for local businesses or groups to secure a complete float and also for individuals to ride alongside University of Louisiana student-athletes and coaches. Imagine catching throws with your favorite football player or cheering alongside the cheerleading squad!

“This will be tremendous opportunity for Krewe Allons to be front and center in the Lafayette community. We are thankful and excited to create more brand awareness and to partner with GSWLMA to bring new energy to the Friday night parade!” said Krewe Allons President, John Aiken.

Krewe Allons anticipates this will be a great opportunity to include members of the community who may not have ridden a float in the past. For more information on how you can ride with the Krewe Allons, visit their website at www.kreweallons.com or follow them on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @KreweAllons for more information and updates.

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association is a volunteer organization that seeks to promote and facilitate a safe and family-friendly Mardi Gras in Lafayette. Among other roles, GSW serves as a liaison between agencies of the Lafayette Consolidated Government, Lafayette Police Department, the Lafayette Sheriff’s Office, and other public bodies and all Krewes that are under the GSW umbrella in coordinating their needs.

GSW also produces and coordinates Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette at Cajun Field with carnival rides and games, a wide variety of live music, great Cajun food. The parades come right through the festival site so everyone can enjoy all Mardi Gras has to offer at one convenient location.


LET'S MARDI GRAS LAFAYETTE

Greater Southwest is excited to announce the return of Le Festival de Mardi Gras á Lafayette at Cajun Field! The Festival will run from Friday, February 9th through February 13th, 2024. Le Festival will feature a carnival with the newest, most exciting rides along with a new, more convenient, and spacious layout. This year's entertainment will feature Wayne Toups, The Chee- Weez, Clay Cormier, Lil’ Nate, The Good Dudes, Bernie Alan, Dustin Sonnier and Atchafalaya!

Finally, Greater Southwest would like to thank the following sponsors and corporate partners for their tremendous support: Service Chevrolet, Butcher Air Conditioning, J&J Exterminating, Party Central/Event Solutions, LLC, The Glenn Armentor Law Corporation, Primeaux RV, Hancock Whitney, The Coteau Grove Band, Acadian Total Security.

RV Registration

In order to reserve a spot for the best and safest RV location for enjoying both the parades and the festival entertainment, please visit gomardigras.com and scroll down to RV Registration. You will find all of the info you need there, including spot availability and prices. Should you have any issues, feel free to contact Chris Foreman (mardigrasfestival@gmail.com; or 337-280-0673).

Finally, if you wish to help fund our efforts to make this year's Mardi Gras the best ever, you can donate ONLINE at our website: www.gomardigras.com ~ scroll down to the bottom, and click on the Yellow Donations link to input your dollar amount, and pay with PayPal or your debit/credit card. We also accept personal/business checks by mail to PO Box 51347, Lafayette, LA 70505. Remember to let us know how to list your name(s) on the Sponsor Page in the official Mardi Gras Program and/or on other advertising items.

 



Festival


Future Mardi Gras Dates

February 13, 2024

March 4, 2025

February 17, 2026

February 9, 2027

February 29, 2028

February 13, 2029

March 5, 2030

February 25, 2031

February 10, 2032

March 1, 2033

February 21, 2034

February 6, 2035

February 26, 2036

February 17, 2037


For Sponsorship Opportunities Email Us @

MardiGrasFestival@gmail.com

Associated Links

DONATIONS



CLICK DONATE for festival donations.

RV REGISTRATIONS

They go fast. CLICK HERE to secure your RV spot for the festival weekend.

FLOAT ENTRY FORM

CLICK HERE for the Independent Parade 2024 - Official Entry Form.

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

Sign up and be added to Our Mailing List and receive updates for General Festival Information and also RV Parking. CLICK HERE to sign up.

Parades

Friday, February 09, 2024

"Kick-Off' Parade - Krewe of Allons, Lafayette, 6:30 pm

Bringing new excitement and Ragin’ Cajuns flair to the celebration.



Saturday, February 10, 2024

"Children's" Parade, Lafayette, 12:30 pm

"Krewe of Bonaparte" Parade, Lafayette, 6:30 pm



Monday, February 12, 2024

"Monday Night" Parade Honoring Queen Evangeline LXXXV, Lafayette, 6:00 pm


Tuesday, February 13, 2024

"King Gabriel's" Parade, Lafayette, 10:00 am

"Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival" Parade, Lafayette, 1:00 pm

"Independent" Parade, Lafayette, 2:30 pm.