503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

Catch a chicken at the annual Mardi Gras Run on Tuesday, Feb 21, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 503 E Highway 90, in the town of Iowa. Doors open at 8 a.m., the Mardi Gras floats start lining up at 9 a.m. and the parade rolls at 10 a.m. Only a 15 minute drive from Lake Charles.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

The parade goes west on Hwy 90 stopping at local businesses and continues going through neighborhoods with the horses following behind. The captain blows his whistle at participating homes for the crews to get down and dance to zydeco music, which is played with an accordion and scrub board.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

If the families approve the dancing skills, they donate ingredients to the gumbo, and a chicken is thrown into the air. Sometimes the captain will throw multiple chickens in the air several times or more for the children to catch.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

The parade stops at Market Basket and the VF Factory Outlet where more chickens are released into the air. The parade then ends back at the KC Hall. The ingredients are then put into a pot with the chickens, and gumbo is served to the riders while the children play from 2-4 p.m. The chicken run concludes with a zydeco dance.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

In 1978, Willie Bushnell, his son Willis Bushnell, Griffin Victorian, Rogers Bellard, Boo-Zoo Chavis and their families started the Iowa run to keep their heritage and cultural traditions alive for their children and future generations to come. When Mr. Bushnell passed away his youngest daughter Helen Bushnell Morris and his oldest grandsons and granddaughters continued the tradition until 2009. The last several years, the eldest grandsons, Rodney Louis Victorian, Kimmy Bellard and their families have preserved the event.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

Originally initiated as a potluck that gathered communal gumbo ingredients by going door to door to the neighbors, often resulting in the chasing of a pullet for the pot, today the Iowa Chicken Run is presided over by Rodney Victorian.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

Rodney’s grandfather rebooted the faltering tradition over 38 years ago, and he sees it as his mission to continue the run, maintaining a connection between generations of families. A battered straw cowboy hat on his head, a whistle gripped between smiling lips, Rodney’s signal starts the festivities.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

After a prayer in English and a lilting Creole invocation, the ATVs roar out, followed by the truck floats. The lead float features the zydeco band and two cages with four honorary chickens. For the next few hours, we ride along the rural highway and through the neighborhood streets of Iowa, tossing candies and necklaces to folks along the road shouting “throw me something mister!”

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

Every half mile or so – and sometimes every house or two – Rodney blows his whistle, everyone stops, pile out of cars, ATVs, and into front yards, side yards, church yards. Rodney pulls a chicken out of the cage and shouts “Who wants some gumbo??” Children cheer, and a panicky Rhode Island Red gets launched into the sky – a flutter of feathers, a clamoring of children and a chase ensue – rushing across the neighbor’s garden patch (a smart chicken found refuge amongst the thorns of a raspberry bush), through the adjacent field and around the back. The proud child that catches the chicken beams even more when Rodney offers a dollar to “buy” the chicken. This catch and release program is just for fun, the real chicken gumbo has already been cooking since dawn!

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

At some stops, there’s a dance off. The band circles around on a driveway and a shuffle step starts. The residents laugh and clap and hand Rodney grocery bags full of additions for the gumbo – more boudin, some okra. This raucous assemblage rolls through Iowa for more than three hours, picking up participants along the way. All you need to join is a smile.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

Arrival: Arrive at the Knights of Columbus Hall between 9 – 9:30am to settle in. Ride a float: To ride a float all you need to do is ask. Be aware that the event can take up to four hours. Toilets: Some floats have porta potties on board, and there are a few stops with public toilets. Snacks and Water: Bring some snacks, water, juice; adult beverages are also welcome! Some folks along the way sell food and water as well. Food and drink sales: Some folks along the way sell food and water as well. Kids welcome? This is a very family friendly adventure, with children of all ages riding floats and chasing chickens.

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

503 US-90

Iowa, Louisiana, United States

Tuesday, February 21, 2023