1 Sep 2023

Stage Unveiling Concert

2023-09-21T15:02:02-05:00

The Ag Arena Stage Unveiling Concert is set to take place on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at the St. Landry Ag Arena, located at 1939 W. Landry Street in Opelousas, Louisiana. This event marks the official debut of the newly constructed Ag Arena Stage and will be a night of comedy and music that the community won't forget.

The concert will be hosted by the dynamic duo, K-Chill and Uncle Luck, who are guaranteed to keep the crowd laughing and entertained all night long.

One Trick Pony will begin at 6:00 pm, Mike Broussard is scheduled to start at 8:30 pm, and the one and only Cupid will take the stage at 11:00 pm.

*Parking for this event is available at the venue for a fee of $10, with no additional admission costs.

Don't miss out as we unveil the stunning new Ag Arena Stage in style. Join us for a night of music, entertainment, and community celebration. Make sure to mark your calendars for Saturday, September 23, 2023, and get ready to experience the magic of the Stage Unveiling Concert.

This event is hosted by St. Landry Parish Government.

Stage Unveiling Concert2023-09-21T15:02:02-05:00
18 Aug 2023

Louisiana Boil Meat Festival

2023-09-25T14:45:40-05:00

Get ready for the Louisiana Boil Meat Festival taking place on Saturday, October 21st this fall at the Yambilee AG Arena in Opelousas. It's your chance to taste delicious boiled meat dishes enhanced with Louisiana Cajun and Creole spices. There's more to do at this festival than just eat. Shop vendors and dance to zydeco music in the place where the iconic genre was born. If your dance moves make the cut, you could even win a trophy for best zydeco solo dancer or couple.

Live music performers include Marcellus the Singer, Cam'Ron Ballou & Darker Shades of Zydeco, Koray Broussard & Z-Unit Zydeco, Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames, and Lil' Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers. You'll also hear beats from DJ Byron and DJ Sypho.

Talented chefs and vendors will be serving up a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including crawfish, shrimp, crab, and more. For those who want to compete, the entry fee is $250. The food will be judged on cleanliness, presentation, time, unique flavors, most liked, 10/10 rating review, and professionalism. 1st prize is $1000, 2nd prize is $500, and 3rd prize is $250. For vendor and contest information call 985-662-1053.

Not only will the top 3 cook-off winners get a trophy, but the best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl and the furthest traveled.

Gates open at 11am, but it's recommended that you get there early. Tickets are $30 at the gate, but kids 12 & under get in free. You can get your tickets early here.

Stay for the weekend at the Holiday Inn Express in Opelousas for a special rate. See other accommodations here.

Louisiana Boil Meat Festival2023-09-25T14:45:40-05:00
10 Aug 2023

Rhythms at Sunset

2024-05-28T10:36:00-05:00

Head to the artsy town of Sunset for the newest music series to come to the area, Rhythms at Sunset. The event takes place from 6pm-8pm at Sunset Park, located directly across from Town Hall. Bring your lawn chairs and a blanket to enjoy live music out in the fresh air at this free event.

Performances

May 10th – 6pm, Blue Monday Band
May 24 – 6pm, Jeremy Benoit "JB Sax"
June 7 – 6pm, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
June 14 – 6pm, Curly Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
July 12 – 6pm, Patrick "Mr. Excitement" Henry and the Liberation Band

Before the show, check out some of Sunset's many great artists and antique dealers here.

Rhythms at Sunset2024-05-28T10:36:00-05:00
16 Jun 2023

Tribute to Clifton Chenier

2025-05-30T12:00:20-05:00

On Saturday, June 28, St. Landry Parish Tourism pays tribute to Clifton Chenier through a jam led by Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and zydeco veteran Lil Jeff Boutte set for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, I-49 exit 23, in Opelousas. The free-to-attend tribute happens in addition to the monthly Zydeco Capital Jam earlier in the month.

 The special tribute jam falls a few days after Clifton Chenier Day, which the state legislature declared in 2021. Chenier, the "King of Zydeco" who won a Grammy in 1983 and earned a Lifetime Achievement Award, was born June 25, 1925 near Opelousas.

Since 2021, the Clifton Chenier Centennial Committee has worked to celebrate 2025, the 100th anniversary of Chenier's birth. The committee secured Clifton Chenier Day proclamations in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish and throughout Louisiana. The declarations remain in effect for the next two years.

Carrier, a Grammy winner in 2011, counts Chenier as an important influence in a career that has taken him from coast to coast and beyond. A piano accordionist like Chenier, Boutte recently released "I Ain't Done Yet," his first album in more than a decade.

Tribute to Clifton Chenier2025-05-30T12:00:20-05:00
24 May 2023

Red, White, and Boom

2025-06-26T14:16:54-05:00

It's a Red, White, and Boom Fourth of July celebration taking place in Opelousas, Louisiana.

What's Independence Day without fireworks? The breathtaking fireworks display will light up the sky starting at 9 PM, creating a truly memorable experience for everyone in attendance.

This family-friendly event has something for everyone, from great music to delicious food and a fantastic atmosphere. Bring your loved ones, grab your lawn chairs, and get ready for a night of celebration and patriotism.

Don't miss out on this incredible 4th of July event. Mark your calendars, invite your friends and neighbors, and come join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars.

$5 parking fee and food & drink will be available to purchase. Gates open at 6pm. 

Red, White, and Boom2025-06-26T14:16:54-05:00
10 Apr 2023

Music & Market

2023-09-29T16:07:49-05:00

Music & Market returns to the Opelousas live music scene for a four-week Spring series beginning Thursday, April 20th. The relaunched series will happen on Thursday evenings from 6-8 p.m. on the grounds of the Courthouse Square in downtown Opelousas. Kicking off the series is zydeco and Cajun music fan favorite Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, followed by Don Fontenot and Les Amis (April 27), Cypress Band featuring Willie Tee & Lynn August (May 4) and Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames (May 11).

Music & Market is designed to help promote the area's music heritage and bring attention to local farmers and their produce, a strong component of the culinary trail. Since its inception in 2007, the music series has featured over 120 outdoor performances highlighting a long list of Louisiana musicians including Grammy award winners such as Lost Bayou Ramblers (2017 "Kalenda"), Chubby Carriere (2011 for "Zydeco Junkie") and Steve Riley (2014 with "Courtbouillon.")

Music & Market is initiated by the City of Opelousas Tourism Office with support from St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission and St. Landry Parish Government. For more information, call 337-948-6263 or visit www.cityofopelousas.com.

Music & Market2023-09-29T16:07:49-05:00
6 Apr 2023

Southern Soul JAM’boree

2023-09-25T16:35:41-05:00

Head to the Yambilee Building in Opelousas, Louisiana on April 22nd for a live music experience you won't want to miss. The Southern Soul JAM'boree will feature both zydeco and soul artists. J. Paul Jr. & the Zydeco Nubreedz, the PC Band, Audi-Yo, Lysa, JJ Callier, and Mz. Suga will all perform live with sounds by DJ Jay Dog. The event will also have a cash bar.

Doors open at 7pm but the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are on pre-sale for $40, but will be $50 at the door. You can purchase them on Eventbrite here, at Anytime Home Furniture in Opelousas, or at Lumberjack's Soul Food in Lafayette.

For more information call Big Myke at 337-486-8700.

Southern Soul JAM’boree2023-09-25T16:35:41-05:00
7 Mar 2023

Live & Local in St. Landry

2023-04-26T10:32:51-05:00

St. Landry Parish Government hosts "Live & Local in St. Landry" a monthly music concert series taking place at the Yambilee Ag Arena in Opelousas. On Saturday, May 19 at 9 pm with local zydeco bands Leon Chavis & Zydeco Flames and Mike Broussard & Nu'Edition Zydeco.

This series is a way to promote the musicians and culture that make St. Landry Parish special. Tickets are $10.

Live & Local in St. Landry2023-04-26T10:32:51-05:00
10 Feb 2023

Cajun Prairie Society Boucherie

2023-07-21T12:15:16-05:00

The Cajun Prairie Society is hosting their very own boucherie on Saturday, March 18th starting at 9am with the festivities continuing into the next day.

Patrons that join in for both days will have the opportunity to be involved in the entire process from harvesting to cooking. Living through these authentic traditional activities lends you a better appreciation of the sacrifice that farmers and their livestock give every day.

For those coming only on Sunday, you will see the processing and complex array of dishes prepared with the meat from the freshly harvested pig. Live music, food, and drink will be provided for the celebration. The activities will start in the morning and cooking will continue all day with dishes prepared for lunch and throughout the afternoon and evening.

A boucherie is a community coming together to harvest an animal. Due to the intensive labor involved in whole animal butchering, a farmer would call upon friends, family, and neighbors to assist in the task. This day of work turns into a celebration, with plenty of food, music, and spirits to go around. No one went home hungry or empty-handed. With the lack of refrigeration, this was the only time that fresh meat could be consumed. Most of the meat butchered at a boucherie was processed with the intent of preservation, with the understanding that not a single aspect of the sacrificed beast would be wasted. These are the core fundamentals of Cajun cuisine. Boudin and boudin noir, gratons, fraisseurs, saucisse de voile, backbone fricasse, head cheese, tasso, chaudin, panse and saucisse de graisse are all products of this philosophy.

Tent camping spots are available.

General Admission tickets for both days are $100 or $75 for Cajun Prairie Society Members. Sunday-only tickets are $30. To purchase discounted tickets for 'Cajun Prairie Society members' please visit www.CajunPrairie.org and sign up for a membership before purchasing a member ticket.

Funds raised from this event will go to a Cajun Prairie documentary that is currently under production. Participation in this event will directly help the goals of the Cajun Prairie Society in their efforts to preserve, manage and teach about the native prairie of the region.

Cajun Prairie Society Boucherie2023-07-21T12:15:16-05:00
6 Feb 2023

Lundi Gras Live at Toby’s

2023-07-21T12:19:19-05:00

The Imperial St. Landry Mardi Gras Association presents Lundi Gras Live at Toby's Downtown located in the Beau's Garage building in Downtown Opelousas. Kylie Frey, a local musician with national acclaim who records out of Nashville, will perform at the restaurant and bar on the Monday before Mardi Gras. This Lundi Gras celebration kicks off the season's festivities for the City of Opelousas.

This event is open to people of all ages. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

Lundi Gras at Toby's
Lundi Gras Live at Toby’s2023-07-21T12:19:19-05:00
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