18 Sep 2023

Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne at the Opelousas Museum

2023-09-21T14:59:48-05:00

November is National American Indian Heritage Month. On Saturday, November 4, Chief Cougar Goodbear and members of the Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne will hold a social from 10 a.m. to noon at the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center. Tribe members will discuss the history and culture of their heritage; then visitors are invited to participate in drumming and singing. Precious tribal artifacts will be on display such as a traditional rattle, drum, war club, beaded satchel, and turtle pouch.

Coco Tribe Of Canneci Tinne was formed by the descendants of the Coco Tribe. The group inhabited the Prairie Maronne and Bayou Tortue area of St. Martin Parish and Lafayette Parish, living on the border of the two parishes which was called Attakapas in the 1800s. They are a Tribe of Lipan Apache Indians called Canneci (Kansi/Kaneechee) which means Tall Sticks/Poles in a row standing or Red Mud; Tinne means People. The Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne, Inc. has persevered and is resilient in its culture, language, and traditions.

Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne at the Opelousas Museum2023-09-21T14:59:48-05:00
6 Sep 2023

Battle in the Boot: Cupid vs Roi “Chip” Anthony

2023-10-11T13:48:45-05:00

It's a Battle in the Boot with the King of Swingout Soul, Roi Anthony, versus the Linedance King, Cupid, for one night at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino in Opelousas. Doors open at 5pm with showtime at 7pm. There will be special guests invited on stage, so you won't want to miss this!

Tickets are $25 and you can purchase them here.

Battle in the Boot: Cupid vs Roi “Chip” Anthony2023-10-11T13:48:45-05:00
5 Sep 2023

Acadiana Fibershed Meeting

2023-09-22T16:26:12-05:00

Acadiana Fibershed and Acadian Brown Cotton invite growers, artisans, and textile lovers of all kinds to meet on Saturday, October 7 from 1pm–5pm at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center located just outside of Opelousas at 1-49, Exit 23.

This nonprofit group is comprised of farmers, fashion activists, and makers developing regional regenerative fiber systems that rebuild the soil and are paving the way for a new textile economy.

This event is open for the public to attend and see demonstrations and exhibits featuring cotton, wool, angora, hemp, roselle, and natural dye plants.

DEMONSTRATIONS

Weaving       Suzanne Chaillot Breaux

Spinning      Darcy Fabre

Mending      Meagan Phipps

Botanical     Eliza Wapner

Dying            Rebecca Baker

Crochet        Emma Guidry

VENDORS

Jan Williams                                   Homegrown/made soap          

Ultima's Nest                                  Botanical dyed clothing, vintage jewelry

Eliza Wapner                                  Botanical dyed clothing

Suzanne Chaillot Breaux              Fiber art, handwoven scarves and runners

Jennie Lallande                             Roselle Hibiscus products

Joan Musemeche                         Acadian Brown Cotton towels, napkins

Acadian Brown Cotton               Posters, pins, yarn, roving, DVD ABC documentary film

PRESENTERS

Sharon Gordon                              Donnan Acadiana Fibershed

Devin Wright                                 Farm Bill Sproutnola

Jennie Lallande                             Regenerative Agriculture

Jordon Masters                             Micro mill video

Samii Kennedy-Benson               USDA Grant for feminine hygiene products

Ph.d Southern University

Darcy Fabre                                    Weaving ABC video clip

Meagan Phipps                              Mending

Eliza Wapner                                 Using  natural dyes

Rebecca Baker                               Growing and using natural dyes

Clementine Cooper                      New programs at Sacred Heart Academy

Randon Dufrene                           Small farmers recruitment

Suzanne Chaillot Breaux           Fundraiser and Auction

Acadiana Fibershed Meeting2023-09-22T16:26:12-05:00
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
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
2 May 2023

Music at the Depot

2024-04-01T11:00:49-05:00

The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, an arm of the Jean Lafitte National Park Service, hosts Music at the Museum, a live music series taking place at the Eunice Depot Museum. Dance to live Cajun music with Eunice's charming museum filled with exhibits and artifacts depicting the lifestyles of early settlers as a backdrop.

On April 13 from 1pm-2pm, Moi, Toi et Lui will perform live.

This is a free event sponsored by the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center.

Music at the Depot2024-04-01T11:00:49-05:00
29 Mar 2023

Oprhan Train Documentary Screening

2023-04-19T13:27:59-05:00

On Wednesday, May 3 at the Delta Grand Theatre in downtown Opelousas, a special screening of "Louisiana Orphan Trains – The Untold Story" will take place. This highly-anticipated mini-documentary tells the story of the historical Orphan Train Movement which made its way across America and eventually Louisiana between 1873 and 1929. The showing also includes a 2-minute French video.

This event is free to the public and includes a complimentary plate of jambalaya.

Oprhan Train Documentary Screening2023-04-19T13:27:59-05:00
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
3 Mar 2023

“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Presentations

2023-04-19T13:48:47-05:00

In celebration of the Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center's newest exhibit, Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish, a series of presentations will be held at the museum on Saturday, April 1 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The presenters will provide in-depth information on the exhibit.

The presentations include:

  • The Life and Times of Martin Donato, Etha Simien Amling
  • History of St Ann Catholic Church in Mallet: 1856 to the present, Vivian Broussard Guillory
  • Origins of Free People of Color, Alex Lee
“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Presentations2023-04-19T13:48:47-05:00
3 Mar 2023

“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Unveiling

2023-03-23T11:52:10-05:00

On Thursday, March 30, the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center will host a reception to unveil their new permanent exhibit, Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish. The scholars who created the exhibit will give brief presentations as visitors enjoy the display. The event takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

St. Landry Parish had the second largest population of Free People of Color in Louisiana, outside of New Orleans. This community shaped culture, economy and other aspects of the region in the pre-Civil War era. Through images, text, maps and a timeline, the display will describe lifestyle, trades and culture of Free People of Color from the 1700s to the present. The exhibit also explores how despite a precarious situation—free but with social restrictions—they thrived, leaving a legacy that echoes in our lives today.

In addition to the unveiling, on Saturday, April 1 there will be a series of presentations by the scholars who helped create the exhibit. Learn more about that event here.

“Still Rising: Free People of Color” Exhibit Unveiling2023-03-23T11:52:10-05:00

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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