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Mardi Gras Festivities
The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu
Lake Charles, La. |
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Gigantic Mardi Gras Costume at
Entrance of Mardi Gras Museum of
Imperial Calcasieu |
We recently visited the
Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu in Lake Charles, La. This museum was a dream come true for several unbelievably talented costume designers who loved the Mardi Gras as well as the pageantry of the costumes. Each year six to 10 costumes valued at least $3,000 on up to $5,000 are donated to the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu, located in the old Central School Building in Lake Charles built in 1912. The museum now is home to several hundred costumes on display for visitors to enjoy.
Most Mardi Gras costumes are heavy, cumbersome and require a physically fit person to be able to support the extra weight of each costume. The men's costumes usually have tights as bottoms...as well as gold, glittery or sequined shoes.
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| King Costume for Mardi Gras |
The women's and men's costumes elaborate headpieces, long, detachable trains and they are jeweled and sewn to complement a particular theme.
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An Elaborate gown and Train
for Mardi Gras Festivities |
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An Elaborate gown and Train
for Mardi Gras Festivities |
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Mardi Gras Gowns and Costumes Line the Halls
of the Mardi Gras Museum |
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An Elaborate gown and Train
for Mardi Gras Festivities |
To top that off, the crown, jewel accessories, etc., are then selected to further complete just the right finishing touch. And don't forget the mask!
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| Crown worn for Mardi Gras Festivities |
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An Elaborate gown and Train
for Mardi Gras Festivities |
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An Elaborate gown and Train
for Mardi Gras Festivities |
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An Elaborate gown and Train
for Mardi Gras Festivities |
When Mardi Gras season arrives the number of parties and festivities must be exhausting. And yet, the tradition continues year end and year out, and grows larger each year and it must be quite an honor to serve as a
krewe member (reveler) and participate in the activities.
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| A Mardi Gras Queen From The Past |
Experienced and talented local costume designers, not unlike what you would expect in major movie set productions, come up with new ideas and creations every year....each one better and more grand than the year before.
We were pleasantly surprised at the amazing extensiveness of the museum. We would go back again and look forward to seeing other Mardi Gras museums in other cities. We saw documents at the museum in Lake Charles that this is the largest display of Mardi Gras costumes in the world.
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