The Tee Mamou Courir de Mardi Gras is a long tradition, and it’s helping one family grow roots deeper into the community.
The Tee Mamou Mardi Gras started their day begging for change and gumbo ingredients – at the same place they’ve been going for 40 years.
“This is our 41st visitation since we’ve moved here from Lafayette,” said Wayne Garber.
The Garber Family hosts the group every year, throwing them change, dancing along and sending a chicken flying from their roof for the people to chase.
“We have a huge rural community and one reason we do this is because of community relationships, and it’s fun,” said Glenda Garber.
“Most of the people in the crew are neighbors of one type or another, you know within several miles and they’re all very friendly. They like to be mischievous when they’re costumed of course,” added Wayne Garber. “It’s a little game everybody plays but its all in really good nature and everybody enjoys it.”
That good nature, and the tradition, started long ago by Garber’s parents, are why they continue to keep Mardi Gras alive at this home.
“We felt that it would be impolite in a way if we just stopped because they had passed, so we thought we would see how it went, take it a year at a time, try and continue and see if it would fit our family,” Wayne Garber said.
