Eunice Mardi Gras schedule

The poster for the Eunice Mardi Gras Festival was released recently that included a schedule of events for the five-day celebration.
Up to 7,000 people will gather in downtown Eunice on Feb. 9 for the main party, but Eunice’s celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 3 with a Taster’s Choice event at the LSUE Acadian Center.
The culinary event includes several chefs in which a panel of judges will select winners in amateur and professional categories, live music, a cash bar, and a silent and live auction. Geno Delafose is providing the entertainment. The event is a fundraiser for the Eunice Community Health Clinic.
Other events on the Eunice Mardi Gras schedule include the following.
Feb. 5 (stage at Walnut and 2nd Street).
6 to 8:30 p.m. – Plaquemine Brulee Band.
6 p.m. Live music at Rocky’s Cajun Kitchen, — Acadian Cajun.
9 p.m. – Wayne Toups.
Feb. 6 (stage at Walnut and 2nd Street).
10 to 11:30 a.m. – T’Monde.
Noon – Krewe de Bow Wow Dog Parade on 2nd Street.
12:30 to 3 p.m. – Jason Frey & Lagniappe.
3 p.m – Jam session at Jean Lafitte National Park.
4 p.m – Cooking demo at Jean Lafitte National Park.
4 to 6 p.m. – Kyle Huval & The Dixie Club Ramblers.
6 to 7:30 p.m. – Les Ferailles with Ryan Brunet at the Liberty Theatre.
6 p.m. – Live music at Rocky’s Cajun Kitchen, Fred Charlie.
7:30 p.m. – Fais Do-Do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park & Beach.
8 p.m. – Jamie Bergeron & The Kickin’ Cajuns.

Feb. 7 (stage at Walnut and 2nd Street)
9 a.m. – Lil’ Mardi Gras (childrens’ run) leaves the Eunice Recreation Complex.
9:30 to 11 a.m. – Old Time Boucherie (hog butchering) on 2nd Street.
10 a.m. to noon – Ryan Simon & Acadien.
12:30 to 3 p.m. – Fred Charlie & The Acadiana Cajuns.
3 p.m. – Lil’ Mardi Gras arrives downtown on 2nd Street.
4 to 7 p.m. – Bubba Hebert & The New Morse Playboys.
6 p.m. – Live music at Rocky’s Cajun Kitchen — Wallace Trahan.
7:30 p.m. – Fais Do-Do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park & Beach.

Feb. 8 (stage at Walnut and 2nd Street).
Noon – Presentation at the Jean Lafitte Center – history of rural Mardi Gras with Dr. Barry Ancelet.
1 to 3 p.m. – Mardi Gras dance at the Northwest Community Center
6 to 8:30 p.m. – Charme & The Melophobia.
6 p.m. – Live music at Rocky’s Cajun Kitchen — Cajun Stompers.
9 p.m. – Travis Matte & The Zydeco Kingpins.

9 p.m. – Fais Do-Do Barn Dance at Lakeview Park & Beach.

Mardi Gas (stage at Walnut and 2nd Street)
9:30 to 11 a.m. – Wallace Trahan & Rice-N-Gravy.
11 to 1 p.m. – Ronnie Matthews & Throw Down.
1:30 to 3 p.m. – Paul Daigle & Cajun Gold.
4 to 6 p.m.– Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys.
6:30 p.m. – Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners.
Other events
8 a.m. – Run leaves the Northwest Community Center.
10 a.m. – Arts and crafts, food, music, and dancing (downtown).
3 p.m. – Truck Parade followed by the Courir de Mardi Gras.
5 p.m. – Live music at Rocky’s Cajun Kitchen — Coz Fontenot
6 p.m. – Live music at Ruby’s Restaurant & Courtyard — Geneo Delafose &French Rockin Boogie.

Lakeview Parks events include:
Feb. 5 — 7:30 p.m., Pine Leaf Boys/Horace Trahan.
Feb. 6 — 7:30 p.m., The Revelers/Kyle Huval.
Feb. 7 — 7 p.m., Leroy Thomas/Roddie Romero.
Feb. 8 — 8 p.m., Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys.
Admission is $10 for the nightly barn dance.