FAQ
1. When is the Courir de Mardi Gras?
The annual Courir de Mardi Gras, hosted by the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, is always celebrated on The Sunday prior to Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras).
2. Does the Town of Church Point organize the Mardi Gras parade?
No, the town issues a permit to the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club allowing a parade to go through the city limits of Church Point.
3. What is the rural route for the Courir de Mardi Gras?
The rural route is decided on annually by Le Capitaine. The route can change from year to year. This route is usually only known by Le Capitaine.
4. What is the route for the Mardi Gras Parade within the city limits of Church Point?
The route within the city limits is determined by the Town of Church Point, in coordination with the Police Department and Emergency Personnel. It is usually posted on their website or social media page. Please contact the Town of Church Point for further clarification. We do attempt to post the map on our Facebook Page, once the Town has announced the route.
5. What time are the parades held within the city limits?
Saturday, Children’s Parade is at 1p.m.
Sunday , Adult Parade is at 1 p.m.
(These times are approximate. The Traditional Courir de Mardi Gras Run is held prior to the parade, and may affect the start time of the parade within the city limits. Best Efforts are made to be on time.)
6. Where do we go to watch the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras (chicken chasing)?
The Homeowners that grant permission to the Courir de Mardi Gras are aware ahead of time that Le Capitaine will be coming to their home on Mardi Gras Sunday. These Homeowners have private events. Although they often welcome outside guests, the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club cannot reveal the addresses or locations of these homes without the Homeowner’s permission. Nor can we grant permission to anyone to go on someone else’s property.
7. Where can I park on Saturday to watch the children chase chickens?
Family Cajun Traditions, a local business and sponsor, does allow parking in their parking lot for the Courir de Mardi Gras de Le Petit Enfants (Children’s Mardi Gras). Those wishing to watch the Chicken Chase will have to park and walk to the Richard Family Home on Olivier Rd, to see the chicken chasing. Approx. ¼ mile from Parking Lot to Richard Family Home.
8. Why does the Saddle Tramp not allow women to sign-up for the Courir de Mardi Gras?
Cajun Tradition, Since 1961. (Part of our mission as a non-profit organization is to preserve Cajun culture and traditions.)
9. Why can’t we sign up late for a float/wagon on Mardi Gras Sunday?
The Courir de Mardi Gras takes coordination and planning to ensure the safety of the participants and those who wish to observe the festivities. Efforts are coordinated in advance amongst Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club Officers, Members and Volunteers, police officers, sheriff’s department, private security companies, co-capitaines and Le Capitaine. The number of floats must be determined a week in advance to aid in security efforts and proper planning for line-up. Registration requires Photocopies of Documents and Signatures on Waiver and Rules Forms, which requires oversight. It is impossible to provide proper oversight for these forms the morning of the Courir de Mardi Gras.
** We do allow floats for the children's run to be registered the day of the Courir de Mardi Gras de le Petit Enfants (Children’s Mardi Gras) However, it is preferred if participants sign up early. We do take into consideration that parents are watching the weather before making a decision.**
10. Where do the runners sign up on Sunday?
Sign-up is inside of the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Clubhouse, located at 1036 E. Ebey St, Church Point, LA 70525. The doors open at 7a.m.
11. Where do runners and float riders park on Sunday?
Runners: Cajun Family Traditions Parking Lot located at 188 Olivier Rd, Church Point, LA 70525 (¼ mile from Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club)
Float Riders: Float Riders need to come together as a group on Float. Floats will have
Allocated parking spots. (Parking is Extremely Limited)
12. Where do the Floats Line-Up?
PLEASE SEE IMAGE BELOW
** Floats must follow the route below in order to properly line-up for the Courir de Mardi
Gras. Olivier Rd cannot be turned on from Deanne Hwy. It will be blocked. Please
DO NOT turn by Sunny’s Fried Chicken on East Ebey St. As shown on the above
Map, all Floats need to enter Hwy 178/ East Ebey St in the direction of arrows shown!
13. Cost for FLOATS/WAGONS and RUNNERS?
Courir de Mardi Gras de Le Petit Enfants (Children's Run)
Float $50 Runner $10 * Side-by-Sides are Allowed
Courir de Mardi Gras (Adult Run/Sunday)
Float #1 $1000 All Other Floats $800 Runners $50 *No Side-by-Sides Allowed
(Security will be on 4-Wheelers, Parade Officials ONLY on Side-by-Sides)
14. What documents do I need to bring to sign-up?
Courir de Mardi Gras de Le Petit Enfants (Children’s Run)
Runners: Completed Registration Form (Please print form from this website)
Wagon/ Floats: Photocopy of Vehicle Drivers’ Driver’s License,Photocopy of Insurance
And Photocopy of Picture of Float/Wagon
Courir de Mardi Gras
Runners: Completed Registration Form (Please Print from this website) & Valid Gov’t
ID or Driver’s License
Wagon/Floats: Photocopy of Vehicle Drivers’ Driver’s License,Photocopy of Insurance
And Photocopy of Picture of Float/Wagon
15. Where can I purchase the Official Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club Courir de Mardi Gras T-Shirt?
In Store:
Sew What! ( Also known as: Vacajun)
7381 Branch Hwy
Branch, LA 70516
337-334-3255
Or, Online:
www.vacajun.com
(An announcement will be made on the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club Facebook Page
Once the shirts are available.)
16. Where do I park to watch the parade?
Please direct these questions to the Town of Church Point or the Church Point Police Department. NO ONE is allowed to park alongside Main Street. Side streets are available for parking. Please follow the LAW! Do NOT block driveways, entrances, Exits!!
17. Can I bring a Food Truck to sell Food on Main Street during the day of the parade?
Please contact the Town of Church Point, as permits are required to sell food for local Events within the City Limits.
18. Why aren’t parade goers allowed to park along the side of Main Street?
The Town of Church Point, Church Point Police Department, and Emergency Responders need to be able to drive on the side of the road, in case there is an Emergency during the Parade.
19. Why did the parade route change in recent years through the town of Church Point, eliminating a section of Main Street and Plaquemine Street?
The Town of Church Point, Church Point Police Department, and Emergency Responders need to be able to access BOTH sides of Main Street and cross over Bayou Plaquemine, in case of an Emergency. The intersection of Main Street and Plaquemine Street is that access point.
The annual Courir de Mardi Gras, hosted by the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club, is always celebrated on The Sunday prior to Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras).
2. Does the Town of Church Point organize the Mardi Gras parade?
No, the town issues a permit to the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club allowing a parade to go through the city limits of Church Point.
3. What is the rural route for the Courir de Mardi Gras?
The rural route is decided on annually by Le Capitaine. The route can change from year to year. This route is usually only known by Le Capitaine.
4. What is the route for the Mardi Gras Parade within the city limits of Church Point?
The route within the city limits is determined by the Town of Church Point, in coordination with the Police Department and Emergency Personnel. It is usually posted on their website or social media page. Please contact the Town of Church Point for further clarification. We do attempt to post the map on our Facebook Page, once the Town has announced the route.
5. What time are the parades held within the city limits?
Saturday, Children’s Parade is at 1p.m.
Sunday , Adult Parade is at 1 p.m.
(These times are approximate. The Traditional Courir de Mardi Gras Run is held prior to the parade, and may affect the start time of the parade within the city limits. Best Efforts are made to be on time.)
6. Where do we go to watch the traditional Courir de Mardi Gras (chicken chasing)?
The Homeowners that grant permission to the Courir de Mardi Gras are aware ahead of time that Le Capitaine will be coming to their home on Mardi Gras Sunday. These Homeowners have private events. Although they often welcome outside guests, the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club cannot reveal the addresses or locations of these homes without the Homeowner’s permission. Nor can we grant permission to anyone to go on someone else’s property.
7. Where can I park on Saturday to watch the children chase chickens?
Family Cajun Traditions, a local business and sponsor, does allow parking in their parking lot for the Courir de Mardi Gras de Le Petit Enfants (Children’s Mardi Gras). Those wishing to watch the Chicken Chase will have to park and walk to the Richard Family Home on Olivier Rd, to see the chicken chasing. Approx. ¼ mile from Parking Lot to Richard Family Home.
8. Why does the Saddle Tramp not allow women to sign-up for the Courir de Mardi Gras?
Cajun Tradition, Since 1961. (Part of our mission as a non-profit organization is to preserve Cajun culture and traditions.)
9. Why can’t we sign up late for a float/wagon on Mardi Gras Sunday?
The Courir de Mardi Gras takes coordination and planning to ensure the safety of the participants and those who wish to observe the festivities. Efforts are coordinated in advance amongst Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club Officers, Members and Volunteers, police officers, sheriff’s department, private security companies, co-capitaines and Le Capitaine. The number of floats must be determined a week in advance to aid in security efforts and proper planning for line-up. Registration requires Photocopies of Documents and Signatures on Waiver and Rules Forms, which requires oversight. It is impossible to provide proper oversight for these forms the morning of the Courir de Mardi Gras.
** We do allow floats for the children's run to be registered the day of the Courir de Mardi Gras de le Petit Enfants (Children’s Mardi Gras) However, it is preferred if participants sign up early. We do take into consideration that parents are watching the weather before making a decision.**
10. Where do the runners sign up on Sunday?
Sign-up is inside of the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Clubhouse, located at 1036 E. Ebey St, Church Point, LA 70525. The doors open at 7a.m.
11. Where do runners and float riders park on Sunday?
Runners: Cajun Family Traditions Parking Lot located at 188 Olivier Rd, Church Point, LA 70525 (¼ mile from Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club)
Float Riders: Float Riders need to come together as a group on Float. Floats will have
Allocated parking spots. (Parking is Extremely Limited)
12. Where do the Floats Line-Up?
PLEASE SEE IMAGE BELOW
** Floats must follow the route below in order to properly line-up for the Courir de Mardi
Gras. Olivier Rd cannot be turned on from Deanne Hwy. It will be blocked. Please
DO NOT turn by Sunny’s Fried Chicken on East Ebey St. As shown on the above
Map, all Floats need to enter Hwy 178/ East Ebey St in the direction of arrows shown!
13. Cost for FLOATS/WAGONS and RUNNERS?
Courir de Mardi Gras de Le Petit Enfants (Children's Run)
Float $50 Runner $10 * Side-by-Sides are Allowed
Courir de Mardi Gras (Adult Run/Sunday)
Float #1 $1000 All Other Floats $800 Runners $50 *No Side-by-Sides Allowed
(Security will be on 4-Wheelers, Parade Officials ONLY on Side-by-Sides)
14. What documents do I need to bring to sign-up?
Courir de Mardi Gras de Le Petit Enfants (Children’s Run)
Runners: Completed Registration Form (Please print form from this website)
Wagon/ Floats: Photocopy of Vehicle Drivers’ Driver’s License,Photocopy of Insurance
And Photocopy of Picture of Float/Wagon
Courir de Mardi Gras
Runners: Completed Registration Form (Please Print from this website) & Valid Gov’t
ID or Driver’s License
Wagon/Floats: Photocopy of Vehicle Drivers’ Driver’s License,Photocopy of Insurance
And Photocopy of Picture of Float/Wagon
15. Where can I purchase the Official Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club Courir de Mardi Gras T-Shirt?
In Store:
Sew What! ( Also known as: Vacajun)
7381 Branch Hwy
Branch, LA 70516
337-334-3255
Or, Online:
www.vacajun.com
(An announcement will be made on the Saddle Tramp Rider’s Club Facebook Page
Once the shirts are available.)
16. Where do I park to watch the parade?
Please direct these questions to the Town of Church Point or the Church Point Police Department. NO ONE is allowed to park alongside Main Street. Side streets are available for parking. Please follow the LAW! Do NOT block driveways, entrances, Exits!!
17. Can I bring a Food Truck to sell Food on Main Street during the day of the parade?
Please contact the Town of Church Point, as permits are required to sell food for local Events within the City Limits.
18. Why aren’t parade goers allowed to park along the side of Main Street?
The Town of Church Point, Church Point Police Department, and Emergency Responders need to be able to drive on the side of the road, in case there is an Emergency during the Parade.
19. Why did the parade route change in recent years through the town of Church Point, eliminating a section of Main Street and Plaquemine Street?
The Town of Church Point, Church Point Police Department, and Emergency Responders need to be able to access BOTH sides of Main Street and cross over Bayou Plaquemine, in case of an Emergency. The intersection of Main Street and Plaquemine Street is that access point.
FLOAT LINEUP MAP
