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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
February 13, 2024
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MardiGrasFestival@gmail.com