Boucherie, parade set in St. Martinville

ST. MARTINVILLE -- Another year means another Mardi Gras and another Mardi Gras means another full-scale, all-around exciting weekend.

The city of St. Martinville will play host to two major events this weekend - the La Grande Boucherie Des Cajuns on Saturday and the Newcomers annual parade on Sunday.

The 2005 La Grande Boucherie Des Cajuns will be Saturday in Magnolia Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is a $2 admission fee.

Traditionally, the boucherie has been the Sunday before Mardi Gras.

"We decided not to try to compete with Super Bowl," Bert Bienvenu, president of La Grande Boucherie Des Cajuns said.

Bienvenu said the idea of moving the day of the event is not a new one.

"That's something we've been kicking around for years. But for the sake of tradition, we held it on Sunday," he said.

The celebration will feature arts and crafts, food, fun and much more.

Music will be provided by Damon Troy & Louisiana Beat and Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys.

Various activities will take place throughout the course of the day.

Rooster fights will he held at various times. The famous butchering of the pig will be at 1 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m. a "Squeal Like a Pig" contest will be conducted.

On Sunday, the Newcomers Club will host its annual Mardi Gras parade.

This year's parade will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday and feature various groups and individuals celebrating the Mardi Gras holiday.

The floats and vehicles in the parade will depart from St. Martinville Senior High School and roll down Main Street ending at the Welfare office.