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.