Mardi Gras in the City of Eunice is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras. Instead of beads and doubloons, revelers chase chickens in colorful costumes. City of Eunice Events Coordinator, Courtney Elkins says Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run is not your average Mardi Gras.
“Our cajun tradition parade, everybody has to be in full costume head to toe with capuchons, mask, and the whole body suit,” says Elkins.
Mardi Gras is a family-friendly event. Elkins says chasing the chickens has been a tradition everyone loves to participate in.
“They do the chicken run. They chase the chickens – back in the day they would actually catch the chickens and put them in the gumbo but however we no longer put the chicken in the gumbo. We just stick to the old traditional cajun way,” said Elkins.
The Courir de Mardi Gras is Eunice’s largest community event of the year. It dates back to the late 19th century and attendance continues to grow each year.
“We have had thousands of people. We have people from France this weekend – Alaska, and Hawaii. We have thousands and thousands of people that come from all over the world before this weekend,” said Elkins.
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