Cajun Mardi Gras

This time of year makes everyone anxious for one thing….Mardi Gras! Everyone in Louisiana knows that Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday” is the biggest food holiday of the year. All the schools take off a 4 day weekend holiday for the festivities. This year was rainy and yucky, so I didn’t make it out to the festivities, but I thought I’d post a few from last year for everyone to enjoy! We headed out to Iota, Louisiana, early in the morning so I could photograph all the preparation. Iota’s Mardi Gras is very unique, because it’s small and authentic…..more family and food oriented. They had booths serving everything from Jambalaya, Cracklins and Beignets, to freshly baked sweets and lemonade. The smells are incredible! Homemade crafts and silent auctions decorate the street, while the stage is front and center. The cajun band is always amazing and before long the town is flooded with people……as much as Iota can be flooded! haha. I grew up right on main street, so for me that town will always be home. :) Everyone knows everyone, it takes you 3 hours to make it down street–with all the visiting u end up doing, and everyone is decked out in their Mardi Gras costumes. I hope ya’ll enjoy the pictures!

Infamous Beignets….everyone’s favorite desert!

Cooking some good stuff :)

Homemade Cracklins!

Everyone’s happy place :) can u feel your toe tapping already?