Mamou - Courir de Mardi Gras

3/4/2025 - On Mardi Gras in Mamou on a day that should be filled with fun, a shooting occurred at a concert killing 2 and injuring 12.  Such a sad happening on a festive day.

We have fond memories of the two years that we visited Mamou for Courir de Mardi Gras.  Enjoy the numerous short videos which capture many good times.

2011

• It was a chilly, lightly raining morning as the riders were leaving town to begin their ride through the countryside; we viewed them and some of the floats that were following them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WZQZ1QdwMk
• As we left Fred's Lounge on Mardi Gras morning, we asked where we should drive to join in the courir. The instructions that we received were right on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgeYFLACigo
• Joining the Courir at the Piggly Wiggly.  The parade continues and we are now part of it - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsNphKW-EBo 
• While the riders were gathering chickens and having a good time, we enjoyed the people and the floats. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNy1VFgdWmk
• Sharing beads and things.  While walking through the floats while the parade was stopped, I received some beads and shared a gift too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5T7yCMB5nGE
• On the road again, the courir continues. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jqoThkst8g
• Following the riders.  Sounds like Mardi Gras to me.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUN967nKHIg 
• We stopped at T-Boy's Slaughter House, Meat Market, and Grocery for some boudin and cracklins. Before we went in, we met some newlyweds from Florida who were riding a tandem bicycle to California. Quite a honeymoon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joxpCRBKhr0
• T-Boy’s Boudin and Cracklins - T-Boy of T-Boy's Slaughter House Meat Market and Grocery gave us a grand tour of his facility, introduced us to family, and showed us the source - the pigs. T-Boy was so welcoming to us on this Mardi Gras 2011. And the boudin and cracklins were outstanding! Thank you, T-Boy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vmbsfd88bfA
• he kitchen was busy and friendly on this Mardi Gras morning at T-Boy's Slaughter House, Meat Market, and Grocery in Mamou. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCwVlwhU4VE
• The smokehouse at T-Boy's Slaughter House, Meat Market, and Grocery had wonderful aromas and was quite interesting as T-Boy explained it to us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktEnLCkQM2c
• T-Boy showed us a hog's head being carved before he took us into the meat locker to see the hanging carcasses awaiting butchering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WwO6DyEMA0
• The pig pens at T-Boys contain some fine hogs, all grain fed. They were some of the finest hogs we've seen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeEtetF0k7g
• T-Boy shared some stories about his family and growing up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKwQQMHEfB8
• What a great day we had, meeting so many wonderful people, memories we will never forget.

2016

• On this trip to Mamou, we experienced another aspect, before the ride.
• It was a beautiful Mardi Gras day in Mamou, Louisiana. As the riders signed in early in the morning at the American Legion Hall, the music began to play. So did the riders; they were on their way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DR103vtx0_Y
• With the music playing on the lawn of the American Legion Hall in Mamou, Louisiana, the riders continued to play in preparation for their ride in the Courir de Mardi Gras. This was about 7:30 a.m. on a beautiful cool day; so glad we were there to witness this unique and great festivity from this viewpoint. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-i8OXiYPKts&t=11s