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4 Mar 2022

Opelousas Farmers Market

2023-10-13T12:32:35-05:00

Shop for local, home-grown produce at the Opelousas Farmers Market. Opelousas, Louisiana, in addition to its rich music history, is also a major agricultural community. In the mid-20th century, Opelousas was called the Yam Capital of the World. Today, you can still try Opelousas-grown sweet potatoes. Take home some home-grown goods. At the farmers market, you can find collards and mustard greens, kale, carrots, honey, and squashes from local farmers. Availability depends on the season.

The Opelousas Farmers Market is open throughout the year every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Opelousas Farmers Market Vendors in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Farmers Market Blueberries in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Farmers Market in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Farmers Market in Opelousas, Louisiana
Opelousas Farmers Market2023-10-13T12:32:35-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Annual Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival

2024-07-19T15:08:36-05:00

The Annual Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival was voted best New Event for 2013 by the Louisiana Association of Fairs & Festivals. The mission of this cultural event is to promote the wetlands and woodlands that surround the community of Krotz Springs and the Atchafalaya River. Join the locals in celebrating and sharing the heritage and extraordinary wildlife and habitats on the banks of the Atchafalaya the weekend after Memorial Day. Adventurous foodies can vote for the best wild game in the Fur, Feathers, or Fins cook-off. Cajun, Swamp Pop, and Zydeco music fans can take over the dance floor, and families will enjoy the fairgrounds, food, and art vendors.

Annual Krotz Springs Sportsmen’s Heritage Festival2024-07-19T15:08:36-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Boot Brew Fest

2024-11-20T16:50:34-06:00

The Boot Brew Fest is a yearly event taking place the Saturday after Easter in Eunice, Louisiana at Lakeview Park & Beach. At this festival, you can really get to know the homebrewing process straight from the brewers themselves while tasting samples of their efforts. $10 will get you access to the festival but for $40 you can get full festival access which covers admission, beer samples, and a bowl of jambalaya. You must be 21 years or older to purchase this ticket and sample the homebrews. For $65, you can get VIP Festival Access. This includes all Full Festival Access benefits, plus a souvenir t-shirt and early access to the festival.

Attendees are encouraged to vote for the best-tasting beer.

Find Lodging in Eunice.

Boot Brew Fest
Boot Brew Fest
Boot Brew Fest
Boot Brew Fest2024-11-20T16:50:34-06:00
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
4 Mar 2022

Port Barre Cracklin Festival

2024-11-20T10:43:38-06:00

There’s only one thing Louisiana loves more than boudin, and that’s cracklins! A cracklin is pork rind’s bigger, better, and tastier sibling. This popular, southern snack is made by deep-frying chunks of pork in its own rendered oil…twice. While you can find cracklins in almost every local grocery or gas station stop in St. Landry Parish, there’s one place you have to go to get them fresh.

The Port Barre Lions Club is thrilled to announce the 39th Annual Cracklin Festival, set to take place on the second weekend in November at Veterans Memorial Park in Port Barre, Louisiana. This beloved community event celebrates the rich Cajun heritage of Acadiana and offers a weekend filled with family-friendly activities, local cuisine, and live entertainment.

The Cracklin Festival is not only a showcase of Louisiana’s iconic culinary tradition—cracklins—but also serves as a vital fundraiser for the Port Barre Lions Club, supporting various charitable initiatives in the community.

Port Barre Lions Club warmly invites families from across the region to come together for a weekend filled with fun, delicious food, and lively festivities at the 38th Annual Cracklin Festival. Join us as we celebrate Cajun culture and community spirit with events and activities for all ages.

Festival Highlights Include:

Live Music & Entertainment – Featuring popular local and regional acts, offering a lively mix of Cajun, Zydeco, and country music to keep the crowd dancing all weekend long.

Cracklin Cook-Off – A fierce competition where teams battle to create the best cracklins, showcasing different methods and flavors unique to the Cajun culinary tradition.  We have two categories, pork and chicken cracklins and we have two divisions, amateur and professional.  We are giving awards for the best decorated booths as well.

Food & Craft Vendors – Enjoy local delicacies beyond cracklins, including gumbo, jambalaya, and boudin, while browsing handcrafted goods from talented artisans.

Cracklin Festival Pageant – Featuring contestants from across the region, celebrating the spirit of Acadiana and honoring the young women of the community.  Official Crowning will be held at the festival grounds for the new 2024 Miss, Teen and Ms. Cracklin.

Parade – Who doesn’t like a good hometown parade? Every year our Cracklin Festival Parade rolls down Saizan Ave with our Festival King and Queen, visiting festival royalty, local school and community groups, even a few campaigning politicians every now and then. Come join us for all of fun!  Anyone interested can sign up online under “Festival Events”.

Cornhole Tournament – We are proud to introduce a new event this year, our first annual Cracklin Cornhole Tournament on Thursday during Family Night at Veterans Memorial Park.  Those interested can sign up on our website.

Supporting the Community:

The Cracklin Festival is a major fundraising effort for the Port Barre Lions Club, with proceeds supporting numerous local projects, scholarships, and charitable causes throughout the year. With a commitment to service, the Lions Club also runs various outreach programs focused on vision health and disaster relief for the local community.

About the Port Barre Lions Club:

Founded with a mission to serve, the Port Barre Lions Club has a long-standing history of community involvement and outreach. The Cracklin Festival is just one of many ways the Lions Club brings people together to celebrate local culture while giving back.

Join Us at the Cracklin Festival:

The Port Barre Lions Club invites everyone to join the celebration and experience the unique charm of the Cracklin Festival. Mark your calendars and bring your family and friends to enjoy the best of Cajun culture and cuisine. For more information, please visit our website or follow us on social media for updates.

Contact:

Port Barre Lions Club

Email: cracklinfest@yahoo.com   

Phone: 337-692-3311

Website:  https://cracklinfest.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/portbarrelions

Please note:  For safety purposes and to ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience, we will be enforcing a Clear Bag Policy this year. Clear bags must be no larger than 12″x6″x12″. Small clutch bags are allowed (no larger than 4.5″x6.5″). Diaper bags are permitted with an accompanying infant, but they will be subject to search. No backpacks, purses, or other opaque bags will be allowed.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation! Let’s make this year’s festival a memorable and safe event for all.

Port Barre Cracklin Festival in Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Cracklin Festival in Port Barre, Louisiana
Port Barre Cracklin Festival2024-11-20T10:43:38-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Lundi Gras Boucherie

2024-02-15T13:11:45-06:00

The best way to taste Louisiana is at an old-time boucherie. The Lundi Gras Boucherie features dishes prepared by Acadiana’s best chefs. The event takes place every year in Eunice, Louisiana on the Monday before Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday. This long-running tradition began as a way to survive the winter months with plenty of meat. Today, it is a community celebration that begins early in the morning with the butchering of the hog. The meat is then prepared for dishes such as boudin, boudin rouge, cracklins, backbone stew, and ponce. Nothing goes to waste – even the ears of the hog are used to make hogshead cheese, something similar to a terrine.

This event is hosted by Lakeview Park & Beach and takes place on the grounds. All day and night, live Cajun and zydeco music bands play in the barn, turned dancehall. There is not an admission fee for this event, but you will need to purchase tickets from the bar in order to sample dishes. Beer and other adult beverages are available at the bar inside the barn.

Lundi Gras Boucherie at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie at Lakeview Park & Beach in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie in Eunice, Louisiana
Lundi Gras Boucherie2024-02-15T13:11:45-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Cankton Courir de Mardi Gras

2024-07-19T14:17:06-05:00

Join the celebration at the 5th Annual Crew of Cankton Courir De Mardi Gras! Get ready for a day of lively festivities, mouthwatering gumbo, and a Chicken Run-Trail Ride that promises adventure and excitement.

The vibrant spirit of Mardi Gras is coming alive at the Landon Pitre Memorial Park in Cankton, just a few minutes south of Sunset. Entry fee is $5 per person at the gate.

Showcase your culinary mastery at their gumbo cook-off. Gather your team, bring your secret recipes, and compete for the title of Gumbo Champion. The entry fee is $60 per team, and the cooking starts at 9:00 AM. Make sure your creations are ready for judging at 1:30 PM – may the best gumbo win.

Embark on an unforgettable Chicken Run-Trail Ride, departing from the park at 9:00 AM. Get your costumes ready, as both top and bottom attire are required. Let the good times roll as you traverse scenic trails and embrace the thrill of the ride. The cost is $20 per person – a small price for a day full of memories and camaraderie.

Don’t forget to dress to impress. Costumes are a key ingredient to the Mardi Gras magic. From colorful feathers to sparkly sequins, let your creativity shine. While masks and capuchons aren’t required, feel free to add those finishing touches to elevate your ensemble.

Get ready to dance the day away because there will be live music starting at 2:30 PM until 5:30 PM with a live DJ starting at 9:00 AM. Stay tuned for announcements on the incredible musical acts that will be providing the soundtrack to our Mardi Gras celebration.

All proceeds benefit the Louisiana Special Olympics.

Cankton Courir de Mardi Gras2024-07-19T14:17:06-05:00

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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