Jennings, Louisiana Annual Mardi Gras Parade and Festivities

If one is less interested in the flamboyant flashing and alcohol consumption that makes up the New Orleans celebration of Mardi Gras, but still want to be involved in the traditional Louisiana method of enjoying the holiday, then small towns such as Jennings may be the key. Every year, as the children are getting out of school to enjoy a week of debauchery and parental annoyance, Jennings's main The type of street becomes the center of a more traditional display of Festival, foregoing the flashing and heavy drinking.

The day's events start off with a rather typical Louisiana parade, which will include all of the usual colors, costumes, and advertisements for local businesses and politicians/officials. Usually at 3:30 to 4pm, these festivities will start, and will involve both a display of classic Festival costumes and the throwing of the usual candy, mixed with an occasional Mardi Gras themed "goody" - such as masks, hats, cups, etc.

Being as small a town as Jennings is, the opening parade does not usually last much longer than 20-30 minutes - though the quantity of candy that the children will receive from the attendees can be simply mind boggling, so it is definitely recommended that a bag or two are brought. Typical celebrations will usually follow throughout the day, including small festivals around the fairgrounds which some years have tauted accordion and other classic Cajun instrumental contests.

Almost without fail there will be Cajun music, often times at every street corner, escorted by party revelers dressed in motley colors to accentuate the mood - and these are often accompanied by flea market style swap meets, whereby stalls will be set up for the purpose of buying and selling goods of a primarily Cajun nature, though they will usually be entirely Mardi Gras themed.

A common sale in the town are hand drawn Mardi Gras artwork that depicts classical celebrations, drawn in ink.

The proximity of Jennings to Lafayette, Crowley, and Lake Charles also gives a reveling party-goer a chance to participate in several nearby festivities as well, including several parades and parties of varying themes. Both hubs, each with major universities in them, are excellent opportunities for someone not interested in the less than tame events of New Orleans to enjoy the party.

But in all, Jennings, with its small town feel and dozens of other, small festivities, is an excellent place to start for any Mardi Gras.