One of the earliest recorded Mardi Gras celebrations in Southwest Louisiana is believed to have taken place nearly 140 years ago, back on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1882.
Southwest Louisiana’s Mardi Gras celebration is the second-largest in the state behind New Orleans, featuring more than 60 different krewes.
The average Mardi Gras costume weighs more than 50 pounds and construction for next year’s costumes often begins just days after this year’s event.
Most of the caps that you see on the costume-wearers began as a simple piece of aluminum foil.
That the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu contains the largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes in the world.
Cajun Mardi Gras costumes are often made of shirts and pants that feature large, colorful fringes.
The tall, pointy hats typically seen at a Cajun Mardi Gras celebration are called “capuchins” (pronounced cappy-shons) and are meant to parody the headdresses of France's noble ladies.
The first Miss Mardi Gras of Imperial Calcasieu was crowned in 1983 and the title went to Miss Christine Marie Campbell.
The Royal Gala held on Lundi Gras each year is the only event in the state that allows the public to see the Krewe's Royal Courts in costume.