LAMARdi Gras wraps campus in Mardi Gras spirit
King cake, live music and Louisiana classics filled Lamar University this week as the campus hosted its annual “LAMARdi Gras” celebration, a series of events leading up to Fat Tuesday.
The celebration began Monday in the Setzer Student Center food court with king cake and a performance by the Zydecane band as part of the Cardinal Activities Board (CAB)’s “Monday Melodies” series.
“It really came together in a way that almost worked backwards — but it worked,” Dr. Elizabeth de la Rosa, dean of students said. “CAB already hosts Tuesday night patio events, and last year they created a Mardi Gras celebration. This year, it naturally fell on a Tuesday again, right before Fat Tuesday, so we leaned into it.”
Tuesday night’s patio celebration featured Cajun dishes such as gumbo and king cake, along with beads and a DJ. When university dining also had a full Fat Tuesday lunch menu, featuring jamalaya, fried catfish, and other Louisiana staples.
The week also included a service component. The Center for Career and Professional Development hosted “Mardi Paws,” a pet food drive benefiting Animeals, a program of Meals on Wheels. Students donated pet food while visiting with Lace-e, a therapy dog.
For students from Louisiana, the celebration offered a reminder of home.
“As we were setting up, students kept asking, ‘Is that king cake?’ You could see the spark of home on their faces,” de la Rosa said. “For many, Mardi Gras traditions are familiar and comforting.”
Other students were introduced to the holiday for the first time, asking about king cake and Mardi Gras.
“Those reactions showed the celebration’s dual purpose,” de la Rosa said. “It creates a sense of belonging for students who recognize these traditions and sparks curiosity for those experiencing them for the first time. Maybe it encourages someone to explore a different culture a little more. That’s what campus celebrations are all about.”
