THE AMERICAN GUIDE

MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA

LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size.

—Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941)
I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.
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Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter.

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MARDI GRAS - LAKE ARTHUR, LOUISIANA

LAKE ARTHUR, 58.6 m. (8 alt., 1,602 pop.), is on the northern edge of the lake of the same name, in reality a widening of Mermentau River. Lake Arthur, settled largely by people of French descent from the older sections of Louisiana, was of some importance as early as 1890, when its first newspaper, the Lake Arthur Herald, was published. A long municipal pier extends into the lake, and a park stretches along the lake shore. Large moss-draped live oaks lend beauty to the town. … Neighboring waters abound with fish, especially cat, which grow to enormous size.

—Louisiana, A Guide To the State (WPA, 1941)

I started going when my band mate, Byron Sonnier, asked me if I’d be interested in attending his home town’s Mardi Gras celebration. I never turn down a good party so naturally I obliged. I have been attending for five years now. His family are like family to me at this point. I love them all and love the town and plan on attending as long as I can. These photos are a select few from the five years of documentation.

* * *

Wes Frazer is a photographer who, when not photographing things, may be found swimming in rivers, attempting to surf, riding his motorcycle, or playing with his dog Bob. Wes grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where he still lives. You can also find him online at wesfrazer.org, wesfrazer.tumblr.com, Instagram, and Twitter.