Mardi Gras

Queen Evangeline hosted Petit Déjeuner to gear up for Fat Tuesday

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 20, 2025

Early Mardi Gras morning, before heading out to the queen’s reviewing stand, Queen Evangeline Bella Cortez and her court enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast with family and friends.

Queen Evangeline LXXXVI celebrates her reign at elegant luncheon

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 10, 2025

Queen Evangeline LXXXVI Bella Cortez’ held her traditional luncheon honoring her royal maids on March 3 at Le Pavillon in Lafayette.

The Krewe of Gabriel’s Luncheon honors King Gabriel LXXXVI

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Updated Mar 12, 2025

Krewe of Gabriel members, guests, and dignitaries paid tribute to this year’s King Gabriel LXXXVI Albert Guilliot on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. The beautiful event was held March 2, at the C…

Krewe of Triton revs up its annual Mardi Gras ball and pageant

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Updated Mar 5, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines! It’s time for the working man’s Krewe of Triton ball. That was the theme of this year’s pageant, much to the excitement of NASCAR fans. The ball was h…

Krewe of Xanadu dazzles the city at 35th annual ball and pageant

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 4, 2025

The Krewe of Xanadu brought the wow factor to this year’s ball and pageant on Friday, Feb. 25.

Troubadours’ kings party tops off a Magic Mardi Gardi season for krewe

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 4, 2025

It might have been raining outside, but it was cozy inside Marcello’s restaurant as King Richard Coeur de Lion LXXII Dr. Patrick Welch hosted family, friends and krewe members at a party comme…

Queen Evangeline LXXXVI brings experience and accomplishment to her reign

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 2, 2025

Queen Evangeline LXXXVI, Bella Elisabeth Cortez, will reign over the 2025 Mardi Gras festivities in Lafayette. She is the daughter of Glenn David Cortez and the former Elisabeth Ransome Kraft.…

Meet Queen Suzanne Simonne’ LXVII Hailey Rae Leonard

Mar 2, 2025

Queen Suzanne Simonne’ LXVII, Hailey Rae Leonard, the daughter of Dr. Rollan and Mrs. Velma Moore was crowned at the 67th Annual Pageant of Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival, Inc. on Feb. 15 at He…

Meet King Toussaint L’Ouverture LXVII Orenthal Ramon Lusk

Mar 2, 2025

On Saturday, Feb. 15, Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival, Inc. recognized and celebrated our newly appointed King, King Toussaint L’Ouverture LXVII, Orenthal Ramon Lusk.

Meet King Gabriel LXXXVI Dr. John Albert Guilliot

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 2, 2025

King Gabriel LXXXVI, John Albert Guilliot, is a familiar face to many. As a local dentist and lifelong resident of Lafayette, he has seen many in Acadiana smile. His profession allows him to d…

Meet the king and queen reigning over 2025 Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras celebrations

Feb 27, 2025

King Imperial VI, Herman Fuselier

Krewe of Troubadours finds its pot of gold at 72nd pageant and ball

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Feb 25, 2025

The Order of the Troubadours counted on a bit of luck for this year’s ball. The land of make-believe took on an Irish theme as Troubadours’ royalty journeyed to the Irish countryside. King Ric…

The Order of Troubadours royal luncheon highlights carnival traditions

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Feb 25, 2025

The Krewe of Troubadours honored Queen Berengaria of Navarre LXXII, and Lady Edith Plantagenet of Aquitaine at the annual Royal Luncheon on Friday, Feb. 21 at River Oaks in Lafayette.

Photos: Relive Acadiana Mardi Gras parades and events so far this season

Staff report
Feb 23, 2025

Even when there isn't a parade rolling through the streets, there's always the opportunity to recap the action with these photos.

'We keep it hype': Acadiana marching bands take to the streets for Mardi Gras parades

BY JOANNA BROWN | Staff writer
Feb 18, 2025

Mardi Gras parades can be a marathon — and no one knows that better than the people who march the routes on foot, past streets full of joyful, king cake-buzzed, bead-loving Louisianans.

Who has the best king cake in Acadiana? Vote now in our 2025 king cake bracket!

BY JOANNA BROWN | Staff writer
Updated Feb 17, 2025

Editor's note: The king cake bracket has been paused due to a technical issue.

Lafayette's Krewe of Attakapas honors royalty with mystery and merriment

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Updated Feb 12, 2025

The Mystic Krewe of Attakapas held its annual Mardi Gras ball on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Heymann Performing Arts Center in Lafayette. The all-ladies krewe celebration is known for elaborate co…

Find out what happens when a New York documentary team does Cajun Mardi Gras, in new special

BY JOANNA BROWN | Staff writer
Updated Feb 12, 2025

As south Louisiana looks forward to the revelry of Mardi Gras, it can be easy to forget that many of the longstanding traditions that mark the season often look downright strange to visitors.

Viva Victoria! The Lafayette ladies krewe brings Vegas to Mardi Gras

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Jan 29, 2025

The Krewe of Victoria rolled the dice and won big at its 31st annual ball and pageant. Victoria’s “Magnificent Las Vegas Ball” was Jan. 25 at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette. The …

Krewe of Rio’s Vampire Ball kicks off Carnival with 'Thriller' of a night

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Jan 15, 2025

Judging by the frightful costumes and downright ghoulish pageant, you might have thought the Krewe of Rio was celebrating Halloween. Not so. This year’s Mardi Gras pageant and ball embraced it…

All that shimmers, sparkles and shines: Mardi Gras fashions hit the shelves in Lafayette

BY JOANNA BROWN | Staff writer
Jan 9, 2025

Mardi Gras is not the time to go for neutrals. This time of year in Louisiana calls for standing out — whether in yelling, leaping and lunging for the best throws at the parade, or in finding …

Carnival season in Lafayette officially begins. Here are the krewes with upcoming balls.

BY JA'KORI MADISON | Staff writer
Updated Jan 7, 2025

The Mardi Gras flag at Lafayette Consolidated Government has officially been raised, initiating the start of the season. See what upcoming events, balls are scheduled in Lafayette.

'You've taken the parade out of Youngsville': Some residents upset over Mardi Gras route

BY MEGAN WYATT | Staff writer
Apr 15, 2024

Youngsville's Mardi Gras parade, which has grown exponentially in recent years, has drawn criticism from some residents for a route that no longer goes through "the village" and instead throug…

'Mr. Weatherall,' man behind viral Louisiana Mardi Gras videos, kicked off a new TikTok trend

BY KATIE GAGLIANO | Staff writer
Mar 11, 2024

A dance to a song created for a Lafayette videographer popular for his videos capturing Acadiana’s Mardi Gras festivities is gaining steam as the newest trend on TikTok.

Queen Evangeline LXXXV celebrates Fat Tuesday with her royal court at pre-parade breakfast

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 4, 2024

Queen Evangeline LXXV Mary Elise Quoyeser celebrated one of her last official duties as queen at a festive breakfast at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Alumni Center on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 12.

The King’s Breakfast on Fat Tuesday was all about family, friends and fun

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 4, 2024

Every king needs to start his day with a good breakfast, especially if he has a full day of parades and balls ahead of him. King Gabriel LXXXV David Koke knew that and was fully prepared as he…

The Krewe of Bonaparte is Saved by the Bell

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 4, 2024

The last Mardi Gras ball of the Carnival season before Fat Tuesday’s City Ball is also one of the best. The Krewe of Bonaparte saved its best for the huge crowds of krewe members, friends, and…

Queen Evangeline LXXXV honors her royal court at an elegant luncheon

BY KRIS WARTELLE | Contributing writer
Mar 4, 2024

Queen Evangeline LXXXV Mary Elise Quoyeser welcomed family, friends, guests and her royal maids to her traditional Queen’s Luncheon on Monday, Feb. 12 at the City Club in Lafayette.