Good morning, Lafayette.

Youngsville held a family-friendly Mardi Gras parade on Feb.

14 that featured 80 floats, a grand marshal from Krewe des Amis, and music by Southside Band. City officials honored SLU coaches with the Key to the City — recognizing their role in hosting the Mardi Gras Mambo softball tournament.

Festival International de Louisiane announced its 40th anniversary lineup with local acts like Givers and Zachary Richard and international performers from Peru, South Korea, Mali, and Sudan at Acadiana Center for the Arts on Feb.

14. The festival will run downtown from April 22 to 26.

Lily Claire Hutchison will serve as Queen Evangeline LXXXVII for 2026 Mardi Gras festivities in Lafayette.

The native — with deep family ties to Carnival — said she hopes for good weather to enjoy the celebrations with friends.

At the Heymann Performing Arts Center on Jan.

31, Chris Terrell Ervin was crowned King Toussaint L’Ouverture LXVIII at the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Inc. pageant. The Navy veteran was honored for his decades of service and leadership in the community.

The Krewe of Bonaparte Parade rolled through Lafayette on Saturday, Feb.

14, drawing local crowds along the route.

On Jan. 31 at Heymann Performing Arts Center, Breaux Bridge native Ja’Nya Anae Williams was crowned Queen Suzanne Simonne’ LXVIII for the 2026 Mardi Gras season; 2024 Breaux Bridge Senior High School graduate and Chick-fil-A team leader carries support (including Shayla and Terry Clues, grandparents, and siblings) into celebrations.

John Wesley Bordelon, a former UL football standout and 53-year Lafayette resident, will reign as King Gabriel LXXXVII while highlighting his decades-long ties to local Carnival traditions and his successful leadership at Home Bank.

Vote now for the Daily Advertiser Athlete of the Week honors as top high school athletes from boys basketball, girls basketball, girls soccer and boys soccer are nominated from Feb.

9 — 15; voting ends at 9 a.m. Friday.

UL baseball lost to Missouri State 13-12 in 11 innings at Russo Park on Saturday after holding a 10-3 lead through seven innings.

Coach Matt Deggs said his team is learning from the defeat (the game lasted 4 hours and 26 minutes).

UL softball coach Alyson Habetz said the team experienced highs and lows in Saturday’s doubleheader at Lamson Park.

Third baseman Brooke Otto hit a walk-off three-run homer for an 8-5 comeback win in the first game — a lack of plate aggression led to a 6-5 loss in the second.

UL's baseball team won 23-0 over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Sunday at Lamson Park, bouncing back from a loss to Prairie View.

Catcher Mia Norwood hit multiple times while pitcher Bethaney Noble earned her first win with five shutout innings.

SPE International Conference on Formation Damage Control

February 18-20 — DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Lafayette — Check website for cost — A conference focusing on engineering challenges in formation damage control.

Chris Thomas King Concert

7:30-11:30 p.m. — Acadiana Center for the Arts — Ticketed event — Experience the soulful sounds of Chris Thomas King, a significant figure in folk blues history.

Ragin' Cajuns All Girl Cheer Clinic

3:00–6:00 p.m. — EK Long Annex — Registration required — Elevate your cheer skills with hands-on training and recruitment opportunities led by experienced coaches.

Candlelight Concert: Coldplay vs. Imagine Dragons

6:00-6:59 p.m. — Petroleum Club of Lafayette — Tickets required — Experience a magical evening of live music featuring the hits of Coldplay and Imagine Dragons.

NoCap Live in Concert

9 p.m. — The District Event Center — No refunds — Experience an electrifying night with NoCap live in Lafayette.

Shadows Arts & Crafts Festival

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. — Shadows-on-the-Teche — $5 admission for adults — Browse original hand-crafted items and enjoy local food and drinks in a beautiful garden setting.

Toughest Monster Truck Tour

3–5 p.m. — CAJUNDOME & Convention Center — Tickets required — Experience the thrills of monster trucks and Freestyle Motocross in an action-packed event.