14 Sep 2022

Sauce Picante Cook-Off

2023-09-19T16:29:50-05:00

The Sauce Picante Cook-Off taking place at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice is an annual cooking event that you won’t want to miss. Sauce Picante is a traditional Creole and Cajun dish that includes a spicy sauce typically with a tomato base all over rice. At this event, area chefs will compete with their best renditions of this iconic dish. Samples will be available for guests to taste and vote on. Cameron Fontenot & the Rhythm Aces will play from 2pm-4pm and Dustin Sonnier & the Wanted is performing in the evening at 8pm.

It’s $15 to enter a dish and $10 for guests to get a wristband and sample all the tasty food.

Sauce Picante Cook-Off2023-09-19T16:29:50-05:00
13 Jun 2022

Catch Fish Cook-Off

2024-06-06T10:43:51-05:00

Who thinks they can become the Catch Fish King? Come cook your best catfish recipe (cooked any way you’d like) and join this fishing tournament at Riverview RV Resort in Krotz Springs on June 14.

Registration for the fishing tournament is $25 per person. Fishing lasts from June 14 at 7am with a final weigh in on June 15 at 5pm. There should be no more than 3 people per team. Weigh-in is on June 17 at 10am. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place will win a cash prize and there’s a trophy for the biggest catch.

The cook-off is on June 15th and is $40 per team. Set up and registration is from 8am-10am. Taster bracelets are $5 and allow you to sample each entry. Judging starts at 2:30pm.

Those who aspire to be the Catch Fish King must place in both categories.

Register by calling 337-351-4260.

Catch Fish Cook-Off2024-06-06T10:43:51-05:00
29 Mar 2022

JC’s Rockin’ Roll Classic Car Show

2022-03-29T14:01:59-05:00

JC’s Rockin’ Roll Classic Car Show in Krotz Springs is more than just a chance to check out classic cars and trucks. There’s a chicken cook-off, vendors to shop from, and live music to enjoy.

The cook-off tasting starts at 11:30. For $5, you can taste the best of the best in local chicken dishes. Then, at noon a mini-parade and slow-speed chase will ride into the park. This year, emceeing the event is Scott Innes. He’s a voice actor, author, songwriter, and radio personality. Innes is famous for his voice-over work as Scooby-Doo, Popeye, Fred Flintstone, Bugs Bunny, and many more beloved characters.

Playing at the event this year are Paul & Pete Band, One Trick Pony, and JC Melancon & Bayou Rock Band. Check out the hourly schedule below for more times.

Gates open to the public at 9am. All attractions and activities for the kids will be available from 9am-6pm. Admission is $10 for those 8 years old and up. Contact 337-592-0789 or 337-290-0573 with any questions.

Check for nearby accommodations here.

JC's Classic Car Show, Krotz Springs, Louisiana

JC’s Rockin’ Roll Classic Car Show2022-03-29T14:01:59-05:00
7 Mar 2022

Arnaudville Étouffée Festival

2024-07-19T15:04:49-05:00

Enjoy life like a local in Arnaudville, Louisiana at the Annual Étouffée Festival. Étouffée is a “smothered” dish and a favorite among locals. Love for the dish is strong enough to stir up a friendly rivalry every year at this festival cook-off. Traditionally, étouffée is made with crawfish. However, at this event, you can enjoy a variety of étouffées including crawfish, seafood, vegetable, and even wild game!

The cook-off takes place on Saturday with judging beginning at 11:30am. Taste great cooking, ride carnival rides, dance to live music, play bingo, or shop at St. Therese’s Boutique. The boutique is open from 1pm-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. It features antique and vintage items for sale in the Little Flower Gym. On Sunday, enjoy an auto show from 8am to 12pm with all makes and models on display.

Check their Facebook Page for updates. Find nearby accommodations here.

Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival in Louisiana
Arnaudville Étouffée Festival2024-07-19T15:04:49-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Chili Cook-Off

2022-03-09T16:24:00-06:00

Rotary Club of Opelousas Sunrise announces its 1st Annual Chili Cook-off scheduled for Saturday, March 19 from 9am – 1pm at the Opelousas Yambilee Ag Arena.

You can choose your favorite to win “People’s Choice”, and a panel of judges will award first, second, and third place winners.  Admission is $5 for adults and children over 12 for chili tasting. Buy refreshments, shop craft vendors, or enjoy a game of corn hole.

All funds derived from this event will be used for the betterment of our local community, such as: sending local students to leadership camps, aid to The Refinery Mission (formerly called the Men’s Lighthouse Mission), Shoppe de Noel for residents of nursing homes in St. Landry Parish, support of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), support of the local ICONS food bank and many other worthy projects.

For $50, you can have your chili compete. Pre-register by emailing Opelsunriserotary@gmail.com.

For more information, contact Tom Mhire, RCOS President at 337-349-5456 or Shelton Anthony, Chili Cook-off Chairman at 337-290-0837. Visit our Facebook Page for more details.

Chili Cook-Off2022-03-09T16:24:00-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Here’s the Beef Cook-Off

2025-02-13T15:07:28-06:00

Calling all carnivores, foodies, and chefs. You get to be the food critic at the Annual Here’s the Beef Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana as pitmasters and area chefs prepare their best beef dishes. The culinary categories include gourmet, brisket, roast, gravies and stews, tongue, and ground meat. That’s right; beef tongue is a delicacy in Cajun Country and can be sampled at the festival. If you think your cooking has what it takes to win, entry to the contest is $40. Call Jay Guidry at 337-351-1763 for more details.

Prior to the cook-off, an old-fashioned trail ride takes off at 8am. It’s $15 to ride plus you get tasty, authentic Louisiana cooking for breakfast. At the Here’s the Beef Cook-Off, for only $10, you can dance and hear live music by local Cajun-style bands starting at 10am and eat all the award-winning food you want.

This long-running annual event is sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Cattlemen’s Association, Cattlewomen, and the LA Beef Industry Council. The Cattlemen’s Association aims to educate people about the importance of the cattle and farm industry in St. Landry Parish and throughout the state of Louisiana.

Here’s the Beef Cook-Off2025-02-13T15:07:28-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Annual Gumbo Cook-Off

2025-01-14T14:40:33-06:00

The Gumbo Foundation cooks for a cause in Opelousas, Louisiana. Every year, area chefs gather to compete for the best gumbo. St. Landry Parish is a haven for gumbo with plenty of Cajun and Creole restaurants. Every household in Acadiana has a family recipe for their own brand of gumbo. With such variety, winning the best is a high honor. Grab a bowl of gumbo or dance along to live music with a lineup of Cajun and zydeco musicians.

This event isn’t just about great food. All the proceeds from the cook-off benefit a child whose family is burdened with medical-related expenses. Each year, a different child is chosen to receive help.

The Gumbo Cook-Off happens every year on the last Saturday in January. Enjoy good food and fun music all for a good cause.

Visit their event page to learn how to join the cook-off or for event updates.

Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Gumbo Cook-off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Gumbo Cook-Off in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Gumbo Cook-Off2025-01-14T14:40:33-06:00
4 Mar 2022

World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off

2025-02-14T10:25:32-06:00

The Eunice Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Eunice, proudly presents the 38th Annual World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-off.

This event features professional and amateur cooks vying for the title of “World Champion.” Taking place in the city of Eunice this is one of the best ways to taste crawfish in Louisiana. Teams will compete to see who can cook the best crawfish étouffée in three categories: Amateur, Professional and Best Decorated Booth. Once the judges have their samples from the booths, the public can buy the crawfish étouffée directly from the participants. Vote for your favorite to win the People’s Choice Award. The winners will be announced around 3:30pm.

Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Pavilion at 651 Samuel Drive in Eunice from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM as we celebrate 38 years of Cajun culture, music, and mouthwatering étouffée.

Enjoy live Cajun and zydeco music (starting at 10am) by Cajun Strong, Geno Delafose, and Jamie Bergeron. There will be plenty of dancing and, of course, tons of étouffée. In addition to world-class Cajun cuisine and live music, enjoy an array of arts & crafts vendors and kids’ activities, including a hands-on Music Instrument Petting Zoo presented by Louisiana Folk Roots.

There will also be arts and crafts, a petting zoo, pony rides, fun jumps, and more fun activities for the whole family. World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-off is now held on the last Saturday in March every year. Admission and parking are free.

World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off in Eunice, Louisiana
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off in Eunice, Louisiana
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off in Eunice, Louisiana
World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off2025-02-14T10:25:32-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Washington Community Festival

2025-03-14T10:04:57-05:00

The Washington Community Festival is a revitalization of the former Catfish Festival which was historically held in the steamboat town. It will take place on Saturday, March 22 along Washington’s Main Street from 10am to 9pm. It’s gonna be a good time in the old town!

The event will host three blocks of vendors, live music, a car show, and a Catfish Cook-Off. The Bayou Courtableau has been famous for many years for its large catfish, so this cook-off fits right in with the heritage of the area and is a subtle nod to the older festival. There will also be a silent auction.

Performing will be Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, a Cajun Creole Jam session with Mark Ardoin, and Don Fontenot Et Les Amis De La Louisiane.

Contact the Washington Town Hall at 337-826-3626 or the steamboatcityassociation@gmail.com for vendor, car show, or cook-off information.

Washington Community Festival
Washington Community Festival2025-03-14T10:04:57-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Sweet Dough Pie Festival

2024-11-20T11:46:50-06:00

Celebrate the history of Grand Coteau and a traditional Louisiana treat called the sweet dough pie. Every year, pastry chefs and home cooks vie to be the best in the sweet dough pie contest where the public is the judge. A large variety of pies are available for purchase. Some favorites include fig, custard, lemon, blackberry, and other local, seasonal ingredients. Browse through over 100 vendors with art, handmade items, flowers and herbs, custom furniture, indoor and outdoor decor, and more.

Take a self-guided tour around the town of Grand Coteau, passing by: St. Ignatius School, the St. Peter Claver complex, the Schools of the Sacred Heart, and St. Charles Church and cemetery. This picturesque cemetery, with ancient Live Oaks and Spanish Moss, is the final resting place of the first African American Mayor for the State of Louisiana since Reconstruction, the woman the St. Charles church bell was named after, historical gravesites of our war veterans, and many renowned Jesuit priests.

The Sweet Dough Pie Festival is the last Saturday of October. For information on the sweet dough contest, becoming a vendor or visiting the festival call 337.331.6352

Click here for nearby accommodations.

Sweet Dough Pie Festival Grand Coteau Louisiana
Sweet Dough Pie Festival Grand Coteau Louisiana
Sweet Dough Pie Festival Grand Coteau Louisiana
Sweet Dough Pie Festival Grand Coteau Louisiana
Sweet Dough Pie Festival2024-11-20T11:46:50-06:00

St. Landry Parish Visitor Center
Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm

337.948.8004
978 Kennerson Road (I-49 exit 23)
P.O. Box 1415 • Opelousas, LA 70570

Visitor Guide (En)
Visitor Guide (Fr)

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