2014 Mardi Gras Calendar of Events

Monday, January 6

Twelfth Night, 6:30PM – Lake Charles Civic Center -- An enchanting evening with the 2013 royal courts of more than 50 krewes making their last glittering promenade, ushering in the 2014 season. Luxurious door prizes, music and dancing! Tickets are $5 in advance, or $6 at the door. Children 5 and under are admitted for free.

Saturday, January 11

Queens' Pageant, Times Vary – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.

Friday, January 10

Community Dance, 6-8:30 p.m.– Lake Charles Civic Center -- Free Mardi Gras dance presented by the City of Lake Charles and Community Inclusion.

Saturday, February 22

Annual Mardi Gras Run, 7 a.m. - until -- Gueydan -- Annual run sponsored by Le Krewe de la Originals et Les Enfants and the Duck Festival Association features an early morning chicken run beginning at 9 a.m., lunch, live music, an auction and a dance. Parade begins at 3 p.m. Dance starts at 5 p.m.

Vinton Mardi Gras Celebration , 10 a.m.-until, Vinton -- Krewe des Gratis will host a gumbo cook-off at 10 a.m., a parade at 2 p.m. ending at Knights of Columbus Hall where the gumbo judging will begin at 3 p.m.

Monday, February 24

Krewe of the Golden Years, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Senior citizens who have passed down Mardi Gras traditions celebrate the season with food and a Mardi Gras ball. Free to seniors 60 and up.

Friday, February 28

Merchants' Parade, 7 p.m. -- Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles

Saturday, March 1

Carlyss Mardi Gras Trail Ride, 8:30 a.m. -- Begins and ends at West Cal Arena in Sulphur. Line up at 6 a.m. Admission fee for trail riders is $5.

World Famous Cajun Extravaganza/Gumbo Cook-Off, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- You will not want to miss this taste-from-every-pot event or the live, hot Southern and Cajun music that comes along with it. Admission is $5, and children 5 and under are admitted free.

Krewe of Omega Parade, 2 p.m. -- Downtown Lake Charles.

Zydeco Dance, 3-5 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Live bands playing Mambo and Zydeco.

Krewe of Barkus Parade, 3 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Fantastically disguised canines parade in full Mardi Gras attire, all vying for the title of "Mystical Dog." Entry fee applies.

Krewe of Cosmos Presentation, 6:30 p.m. -- Sulphur High School -- The Krewe of Cosmos presents their royal court in style at the Sulphur High School Auditorium with skits, songs and more.

Krewe of Illusions, 7:30 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Celebrate Mardi Gras with the 25th annual presentation of the Krewe of Illusions. Tickets are $30 orchestra, formal attire required. $18 balcony reserved seating and $15 standard balcony seating, casual attire.

Sunday, March 2

Taste de la Louisiane, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Pots and pots of all-you-can-eat traditional Louisiana cuisine for a $7 admission fee.

Children's Day, noon-3 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Old-time Louisiana culture, arts and crafts, Mardi Gras music and magic. An education station complete with safety and health information.

Children's Parade, 3:30 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Downtown Lake Charles. A purple, green and gold parade for the young and young at heart.

Lighted Boat Parade, 7 p.m. – Lake Charles Civic Center -- Be dazzled by the glowing boat parade on shimmering Lake Charles.

Monday, March 3

Royal Gala, 7 p.m. -- The Cinderella moment of the season features the 2014 courts of more than 50 krewes with kings, queens, royal dukes and duchesses, captains, courtesans and jesters. Tickets are $5 in advance, or $6 at the door. Children 5 and under are admitted for free.

Fat Tuesday, Tuesday, March 4

Iowa Chicken Run, 10 a.m. -- The chicken run starts and ends at KC Hall and runs west down 90. Ride a float, catch a chicken and finish with some gumbo and live music for a toe-tapping good time.

Motor Gras Parade, 11 a.m -- Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles

Krewe of Krewes' Parade, 5:00 p.m. -- Downtown-Midtown Lake Charles. -- Hundreds of elaborate krewe floats, costumes, beads and more wind through the city in the culmination of the Fat Tuesday celebration.

Events subject to change.