Fairs & Festivals 2010
Feb. 12-16
Courir de Mardi Gras, Eunice
(337) 457-7389
Five day celebration beginning the Friday before Mardi Gras Day. Jam sessions, street dances, cooking demos, Mardi Gras Exhibits & special Liberty Theater show. Les Jeunes & Lil' Mardi Gras runs for children on the Saturday and Sunday. Old time boucherie on the Sunday. Mardi Gras Day activities include traditional Courir de Mardi Gras and downtown daylong celebration - live Cajun, Creole and Zydeco music and dancing, food, children's walking parade & return of revelers at 3pm.
Feb. 16
Half Fast Krewe of Frank's Mardi Gras Parade/Opelousas Mardi Gras Celebration
(337) 407-2288/ (337) 948-5227
Takes place on Mardi Gras Day throughout historic downtown Opelousas. Join in the festivities beginning at 11am as Frank's fun-filled parade takes revelers down East Landry Street (Hwy 190 W.) and back up Bellevue Street to Frank's. After the parade, continue the celebration & enjoy live Cajun/Zydeco music on Court Street, in front of the Parish Courthouse.
March 7
Here's the Beef Cookoff, Opelousas
(337) 684-6751
Annual beef cook-off sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Cattleman's Association features some of the best food & entertainment around. Come join in the fun! Trail ride at 8am; Cook-off starts at 11am.
March 18-21
11th Annual Washington Catfish Festival
(337) 826-3627
This festival takes place in the historic town of Washington. The festival kicks off on Thursday and Friday at 5pm with live music. Activities on Saturday and Sunday begin at 10am featuring live Cajun, Creole, Zydeco, Swamp Pop and R & B music, native crafts, exhibits, a parade, antiques, food booths, arts and crafts and a catfish cook-ff on Sunday. Admission fee.
March 28
25th Annual World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cookoff, Eunice
(337) 457-7389
This festival takes place the 4th Sunday in March at the Northwest Community Center Pavilion in Eunice. This one-day event features professional and amateur cooks vying for the title of "World Champion." One of the best ways to taste some of the best crawfish in Louisiana. Great Cajun and Zydeco music, plenty of dancing and, of course, tons of etouffee.
April 16-18
Cankton Wagon Festival & Trail Ride
(337) 668-4671/298-7578
Sponsored by the Cankton Volunteer Fire Department, this festival kicks off with music on Friday night. Trail rides Saturday and Sunday.
April 23-25
25th Annual Etouffee Festival, Arnaudville
(337) 754-5912
This festival takes place the 4th weekend in April; Etouffees of all kinds can be found at this yearly festival for the family. Live Cajun, Zydeco Country and R & B music, parade, entertainment for the children, antique car & truck show & the exciting Mayor's Etouffee Cookoff. Activities take place on the Little Flower School Grounds, Main Street.
May 1
Rain Date-May 2
13th Annual Celebration of Herbs & Gardens, Sunset
(337) 662-3542
This festival which takes place the 1st Saturday in May focuses on herbs and flowers and their many uses. Informative lectures every half hour. Food, crafts, herbs and many other herb related items for sale. Box lunches and areas for picnicking available. Activities take place across from the town library.
May 30
Zydeco Extravaganza, Opelousas
(337) 234-9695/948-2520
This annual event is a celebration of Opelousas being the home of Zydeco Music with live music, food and fun for the entire family! Live performances by local Zydeco artists.
June 4-6
6th Annual Opelousas Spice & Music Festival
(337) 948-5227
This fesival takes place the 1st weekend in June and there is "No Place Hotter" than historic downtown Opelousas. Join in the fun during this festival weekend highlighting the city's great spices, music and cultural traditions! Live Cajun, Creole, Zydeco, Swamp Pop and R & B music; Cultural music, culinary and native craft workshops and presentations; great food; pageants; carnival rides and more...
June 12
LCCMC-UN Celebration de Cajun-Leur Culture, Eunice
(337) 457-5601
June 19
Juneteenth Folklife Celebration, Opelousas
(337) 948-9884
This event which takes place the Saturday before Father's Day is an African-American cultural and historical celebration highlighting the folk art, heritage and traditions of this region. The day pays tribute to the date when Texas slaves first heard news of their freedom, and that news traveled to surrounding states. A true celebration of the Creole culture featuring live Creole and Zydeco music performances, traditional culinary and native craft presentations.
July 3
20th Annual Lebeau Zydeco Festival
(337) 623-5909
This festival takes place the first Saturday in July at the grounds of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Enjoy live Zydeco music, food & games for the entire family at this annual festival on the grounds of the church. This festival is famous for their pork backbone dinners! 11am - until. Admission fee.
July 4
Fourth of July Celebration, Eunice
(337) 457-7389
Fireworks on the Prairie - Bring your lawn chairs & celebrate Independence Day! Spectacular fireworks display begins at 9:00pm. Free admission. Eunice Recreation Complex, 461 Sittig St., Eunice.
July 4
Fireworks on the River, Krotz Springs
(337) 566-2322
Come out and enjoy Independence Day with music and a fireworks display at dusk. Music starts at 6:30pm. Nall Park, 562 Front St., Krotz Springs.
September 4
28th Annual Southwest LA Zydeco Festival, Plaisance
(337) 942-2392/232-7672
The original Zydeco Music Festival, the granddaddy of them all, takes place each year on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend with a number of pre-festival events taking place the week prior. Kick-off dances on the Thursday and Friday before at the world famour Slim's Y-Ki-Ki Zydeco club. On your way to the festival, enjoy a Zydeco breakfast and free live music on the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square in beautiful historic downtown Opelousas. Then take "Zydeco Road" to the festival grounds in Plaisance where the music is live from 11:00am to 1:00am. The festival is located at 457 Zydeco Road off Hwy 167 in the Plaisance community of Opelousas. Admission Fee.
October 20-24
65th Annual Louisiana Yambilee Festival, Opelousas
(337) 948-8848
Ths festival takes place either the fourth weekend of October. Started in 1946, the Yambilee Festival celebrates with live music, the traditional sweet potato auction, pageants, a carnical, crop exhibits, arts and crafts show and much more. On Sunday, the Grand Louisiyam Parade begins at 1:00pm on Landry St. traveling west to the Yambilee Building and grounds on Hwy 190. Admission Fee.
October 29-31
18th Annual Holy Ghost Creole Bazaar & Festival, Opelousas
(337) 942-2732
This festival which takes place the 1st weekend in November, features live Creole and Zydeco music, Creole food favorites. Gospel Choir Concert, parade, raffles, games and more. Parade on Sunday at 1:00pm from Court St. to Union St. in Opelousas. The festival is located on the grounds of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church located at 788 North Union St.. Friday, 8:00pm - Midnight; Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am until.
Nov. 11-14
25th Annual Cracklin Festival, Port Barre
(337) 585-6673
This festival which takes place the 2nd weekend in November, showcases the ritual of making cracklins. Terrific food. great Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop music, carnival rides, arts and crafts and a beauty pageant. Sponsored by the Port Barre Lions Club, the festival grounds are located at Veterans Park in downtown Port Barre. Admission Fee.
Dec. 4
6th Annual Le Feu et L'Eau (Fire & Water) Festival, Arnaudville
(337) 754-9898
This festival takes place the 1st Saturday in December. Join the town at La Jonction for an evening of cultural and traditional music, culinary and art performances and presentations in support of this growing artists' community. Sponsored by the Frederick l'Ecole des Arts community arts organization.
