Meet the Pet de Kat Krewe

Where it all began...

It all started in 1879, in a town called Dekattrois. The myth of the Creole Cat transformed from legend to actuality.

By the early 1900s, word spread all over Louisiana about this unique cultural festival which put Dekattrois on the map.

Once, the Pet de Kat Krewe was looked upon as social outcasts, now they are the centerpiece of the Cajun Cat festival, held every October on the even year, in Dekattrois.

Pet de Kat sightings

Pet de Kat Krewe members have been seen sporting their colorful Krewe T-Shirts in festivals as far away as Jamaica, Vancouver, and even Singapore.

The Pet de Kat Krewe believes in supporting live music of the Creole culture. Now the Krewe makes a yearly stop at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. You're sure to see them, up front, dancing crazy and making a good time.

If there is a brass band, zydeco band or the likes of Earl King, Snooks Eaglin or George Porter, Jr. playing within earshot, you can be sure that the Pet de Kat Krewe will be out there hooting and a hollering.

So you ask yourself, where is Dekattrois?

Legend of the Creole Cat

"Legend has it that a large cat would stalk the Dekattrois neighborhoods after the heat of summer would subside, and before the cool of winter would set in. Residents would swear that they were sober when they saw a cat, over six feet high they claim, walking up on its two hind legs, terrorizing children and dogs in its path. Later, a crazed resident of Dekattrois caught the Cajun Cat and put it up on a pole for all to see. When neighbors saw this huge cat mounted on a pole, they would come out and pet it. This gathering which happened a long time ago was later named Pole Cat day. Who knew at the time, but an annual tradition started which led to the modern times Creole Cat Festival, held every October on the even year in Dekattrois." -- Rudy Truax, Lafayette Historian

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