America's Byways® Press Room
December 31, 2007 - What's Upcoming during Southwest Louisiana's Mardi Gras

LAKE CHARLES - Recently honored by the Southeast Tourism Society as a Top 20 event for 2008, the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras celebration in Lake Charles, LA is marked by parades, pageants, cook-offs, and much more. The festivities include events running from January 3 to February 5, 2008.

Events in and around Lake Charles include the following:

12th Night Celebration
Lake Charles Civic Center
Thursday, January 3 at 7:00 pm
$4 in advance; $5 day of

Queens’ Pageant
Lake Charles Civic Center, Contraband Room
Saturday, January 5, times vary
$5 for adults; $3 for children

Vinton Mardi Gras Celebration
Downtown Vinton, LA
Saturday, January 26

Krewe of Golden Years 15th Annual Mardi Gras Ball
Lake Charles Civic Center
Monday, January 28; 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Free to Seniors

Gumbo Cook-off
Lake Charles Civic Center
Saturday, February 2; 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
Entry Fee: $75; Admission: $5

Carlyss Mardi Gras Trail Ride
West Calcasieu Arena, Sulfur, LA
Saturday, February 2 at 8:00 am
$5 for trail riders

Mardi Gras Children’s Day and Parade
Lake Charles Civic Center
Sunday, February 3; 11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Royal Gala
Lake Charles Civic Center
Monday, February 4 at 7:00 pm
$4 in advance; $5 day of

Krewe of Krewes Parade
Downtown Lake Charles
Tuesday, February 5 at 5:30 pm

For more information about any of the Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras events, visit www.swlamardigras.com or www.visitlakecharles.org.

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