Lake Charles Community Area Information
"Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler"
(Let the Good Times Roll!)
Contraband Days
Once a year during the first two weeks in May Lake Charles returns to the rollicking days of pirates and buccaneers who once sailed the area’s lakes, rivers, and bayous. The theme is the capture of Lake Charles by the notorious pirate, Jean Lafitte, who allegedly buried his contraband treasure somewhere along the waterways. The drama begins with a landing of the pirates at the seawall and ends with a big parade and streets crowded with people to applaud the colorful floats and the numerous high school marching bands representing Louisiana and surrounding states. A full schedule of activities continues for 12 days. There is a nonstop array of entertainment events, including outdoor concerts, parades, bathtub races, beach games, sailboat regatta, fireworks display, water ski show, children’s events, Cajun Days, crawfish races, limbo contest, tennis tourney, 5-mile run, carnival & thrill attractions, and the list goes on with hundreds of ways to enjoy the festival. For more information call (337) 436-5508.
Mardi Gras
Although Lake Charles is close enough to enjoy the New Orleans Carnival season, Southwest Louisiana has its own Mardi Gras celebration. It began in Sulphur in 1951 when the Krewe of Cosmos was formed. In 1963, a men’s krewe was started in Lake Charles called the Krewe of Contraband and in 1971, a ladies krewe, the Krewe of Mystique, was formed. After the formation of the Krewe de la Famille in 1979, a successful effort to bring all krewes together culminated in the areas first parade in 1980, now an annual event.
Each year since has seen the formation of more new krewes to join the fun - now numbering more than 27. Krewe of Krewes, which is comprised of the captains of all krewes, formulates ball plans to assist one another. Mardi Gras of Imperial Calcasieu (337-475-7393) is comprised of a large group of area citizens. This group sponsors the Twelfth Night Party, the Royal Gala (which gives the public a chance to view the royalty of all krewes), and the Mardi Gras parade. Get ready to don your craziest costume and shout, “Throw me somethin’, Mister!” - Mardi Gras is alive and well in Southwest Louisiana!
Le Centre Civique De Lake Charles (337) 491-1256
Opened in September of 1972, the multi-million dollar Civic and Convention Center is located on a 64-acre landfill on the eastern shore of Lake Charles. Just off Interstate 10, it is near beaches, casinos, restaurants, hotels and the downtown shopping area. Seating is available for over 10,000 people in the three separate sections consisting of a coliseum, theatre, and an exhibition hall. Parking is available for 2,200 cars for those who wish to attend meetings, banquets and other forms of entertainment.
Burton Coliseum (337) 478-9010
More fun comes to Lake Charles in the form of rodeos, livestock shows and 4-H events. Just south of the city is the Burton Coliseum complex whose magnitude can handle any size of event with ease. Lake Charles is the home of the Southwest Louisiana District Livestock show. McNeese State University is on the National College Rodeo circuit. The college rodeos provide good entertainment at the coliseum, as does the McNeese Basketball Team. Other events held at Burton Coliseum include riding clubs, horse sales, picnics, Cajun festivals, meetings, graduations and wedding receptions.
The Black Heritage Festival of Louisiana (337) 478-2127
This festival, held mainly at the Civic Center, is held annually in February. Exhibits abound as well as various programs open to the public.
Southwest Louisiana Fair & Carnival (337) 436-3406
During the fall of each year the Lake Charles Jaycees present this popular fair and carnival. More than 30,000 visitors attend the annual fair and carnival.
