Mardi Gras in Mamou

Fat Tuesday just wouldn't be complete, without a little mud...and a chicken.

Every year the folks down in Mamou get wild and do Mardi Gras in their own way.

News Channel Five's Brooke Buford grabbed a camera and a chicken and has the story. 

"It's just the culture. It's what we do," said Fredrick Robinson, a local kid at Tuesday's Mardi Gras celebration.

They do Fat Tuesday a little bit differently down in Mamou.

"Compared to a lot of other Mardi Gras, you have a lot of rules," said Ray Noel, an attendee. "Over here, it's very relaxed and fun. And people are not coming need to come out here and support Mamou."

It starts with a parade.  A calvary of costumed riders gallop through town on horseback wearing their traditional purple, green and gold...and a few others put their own spin on "traditional."

The parade ends up off the beaten path, that's where these partiers say the real fun starts.

"Oh, very very crazy," said Sue James, another partier.

"Wow, not that crazy, but it's crazy," said Robinson.

After the parade the crowd ends up in this field for the highlight of Fat Tuesday, the famous chicken run.

"Oh, I think if I'm on my horse I'll chase the chicken," said Roy Surie, another attendee. "But off my horse, I ain't chasing nothing."

"If you're a beginner than you might get it. But, it's not easy because the chicken is fast. But you can get it if you put your mind to it," said Breanna Robinson, another child at the gathering.

Those who do, are lucky enough to be the winner.  In fact, everybody here feels like a winner at the end of the day, except for the chicken, who will most likely end up in a pot of jambalaya.

It's Mardi Gras...

"I don't forget when I come from. I love Mardi Gras," said James.

Done up Mamou style.