re: Mamou Mardi Gras - Looking for some info

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The chicken chase can be a little gross when the chickens are caught (they may be ripped apart when "shared" by two or more Mardi Gras.

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I've run and watched many times and haven't seen this. The Captains don't drink and keep the runners in line. Chickens are usually taken from the runner right away and kept in the Chicken Truck that follows the runners. There will be a lot of drunken dancing, yelling and flipping off of horses. If you want to avoid that, go early. They limit the runners to one beer at a time in the mornings and try to get out of town quickly. This route alternates each year, this year it will be on the west part of town. They usually go to the Hospital and the Nursing Home early on in the run. You can also catch them coming back around The Holiday Bar. The run is usually 7-3. While they are in town there will be a street dance. The dance ends shortly after the runners return.

There are bands and street dances all weekend. Monday night is the big one and it usually starts up in the afternoon and ends around 10. Cajun music under the Red light and DJ's at other locations for the younger crowd.