Situated in south central Louisiana, in Lafayette Parish, Lafayette (population 114,915) is about a two-hour drive west of New Orleans. While New Orleans is usually associated with word "Louisiana," residents of Lafayette argue that their fair city, which they fondly call "The Heart of Cajun Country," can give the Big Easy a run for its money. After all, Lafayette's motto is "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" (Let the good times roll!) Check out a few of the things this distinctive and colorful city has to offer.
Mardi Gras
Lafayette has the second-largest Mardi Gras in the state, and perhaps because it's more "family friendly" than New Orleans' legendary celebration, Lafayette's attracts more and more celebrants each year. There's a constant stream of parades, with colorful floats winding through downtown Lafayette, celebrants dancing in the street, costume contests and plenty of beads. There's also the Courir de Mardi Gras, where bands of horseback riders in outrageous costumes gallop across the countryside begging, singing and dancing for the ingredients to make a communal gumbo. Plus, there are rides and games at the carnival midway, along with performances by talented singers and musicians.
Festival International de Louisiane
Occurring in Lafayette each year during the first week in April, Festival International de Louisiane began in 1987 as a celebration of the French cultural heritage and highlights the music and art of visiting musicians and artists from around the globe. Classified as the "largest outdoor, free Francophone event in the U.S.," it is a one-of-a-kind event that offers five days of musical performances on six centrally located stages, street animators, boutiques, art galleries, workshops, cooking demonstrations, food courts and more.
Downtown Alive!
A community tradition and staple of the area's social calendar since the 1980s, Downtown Alive! is a regular event in Lafayette each fall and spring. Providing free entertainment in a family friendly atmosphere for residents and visitors alike, it begins each afternoon at 5 and lasts until 8. During those three hours, residents and visitors get to enjoy outdoor concerts featuring local, national and international performers.
Acadian Village
Located on Greenleaf Drive in Lafayette, Acadian Village offers visitors a fairly accurate depiction of not only how a real Cajun village looked during the early 1800s but also how the early Cajuns lived. All the buildings are original structures that were relocated to the site, then renovated, and the village contains cottages, a general store, a barn and a chapel that strongly reflect the influence of French, Canadian and local architectural traditions.
Cypress Lake
Situated almost smack-dab in the middle of the picturesque campus at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, home of the "Ragin' Cajuns," Cypress Lake is more like a very large pond, but it's well worth seeing. Approximately an acre of cypress and Tupelo trees shade the water, which is filled with turtles, ducks, exotic fishes and alligators. The campus is also worth seeing for its stately spreading live oaks and the architecture that was influenced by both Georgian and Post Modern Art Deco.
References
- City-Data.com: Lafayette, Louisiana
- "Acadiana 09 Celebrating the Arts"; Community & Newcomer Information; 2009
- "Cajun Country Guide"; Macon Fry & Julie Posner; 1996
Member Comments