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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
20 Jan 2023

La Rivière Mardi Gras Chicken Run and Parade

2023-12-08T15:04:43-06:00

Head to Krotz Springs, Louisiana for the second La Rivière Mardi Gras Chicken Run and Parade taking place right along the Atchafalaya River at Riverview RV Park & Resort.

The parade itself departs at 9am from Riverview RV Park & Resort and heads North on Hwy 105 until it enters the town of Krotz Springs and travels through the town until heading back to Riverview. There will be an intermission at Nall Park with boudin and a bowl of gumbo available at the end. Women and children can participate in the parade but will have a separate chicken chase once the Mardi Gras Run returns to Riverview.

This event is cash only. General Admission is $10 and includes live music once the parade returns. If you’d like to participate in the trail ride it’s $10 and $15 for the chicken run.

La Rivière Mardi Gras Chicken Run and Parade2023-12-08T15:04:43-06:00
20 Apr 2022

Blackpot Camp

2023-12-11T16:18:57-06:00

Even as an adult you can still have a good time at camp in Eunice, Louisiana. At Blackpot Camp, work with professional, award-winning musicians from across the U.S. Activities for campers include Cajun fiddle, accordion, guitar, songwriting, and so much more. Participants will also try their hand at Cajun cooking, taught by locals in a hands-on working environment.

It’s not all workshops at Blackpot Camp. Every night, campers take a break from lessons for a music concert in the barn-turned dancehall. Overall, the camp has a loose, festive atmosphere that encourages extracurricular jamming and sharing of experiences among campers from all places and backgrounds. If you’ve never tried to Cajun waltz or square dance, now is the time to take your cue from experienced instructors. All of the activities are in the spirit of fun! Create unforgettable memories with interactive experiences among other lovers of Cajun and roots music.

Blackpot Camp takes place the last week of October on the beautiful, secluded grounds of Lakeview Park & Beach. There’s plenty of space for an RV in addition to cabins and room for tent camping. Admission for this event varies. You can learn more at BlackpotCamp.com. Be sure to also look into their volunteer program.

P.S. – You don’t need to be a camper to attend dances in the barn. There’s general admission so anyone can join the fun! Dances take place in the evening. Contact Lakeview Park & Beach for evening event details.

Blackpot Camp Facebook Page

Black Pot Camp in Eunice, Louisiana at Lakeview Park & Beach
Black Pot Camp in Eunice, Louisiana at Lakeview Park & Beach
Black Pot Camp in Eunice, Louisiana at Lakeview Park & Beach
Blackpot Camp2023-12-11T16:18:57-06:00
6 Apr 2022

St. Landry BBQ Fest

2024-07-19T14:55:52-05:00

St. Landry Parish Government is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated 4th Annual BBQ Festival. The three-day event will be held at the Yambilee Grounds in Opelousas, Louisiana.

The BBQ Festival promises to be a fun-filled weekend for the entire family, featuring a wide variety of delicious barbeque, live music, arts and crafts, and more. Stay tuned for the lineup.

In addition to the live entertainment, the festival will also feature a BBQ cook-off competition, with teams from across Louisiana and beyond battling for the title of BBQ Champion. Visitors can sample a wide variety of delicious barbeque, like traditional pork and brisket. The BBQ cook-off is on Saturday and features categories like beef, chicken, pork, seafood, wild game, and even dessert.

Admission to the festival is free, with food and beverage vendors on-site.

St. Landry BBQ Fest2024-07-19T14:55:52-05:00
21 Mar 2022

Fête de la Nature

2024-03-28T14:35:30-05:00

Fête de la Nature is a celebration of Acadiana’s natural surroundings through art, music, food, and science. This event takes place at Atelier de la Nature in Arnaudville, Louisiana. Throughout the day, scientists will lead an open-to-the-public BioBlitz. At the BioBlitz, participants search for every species of bird, reptile, insect, plant and fungus living at the reserve.

A benefit lunch will be run by Chef Colt Patin of the Culinary Institute of Baton Rouge, his students, and Scouts Troop 174. Food will be sold at the event with proceeds will help fund Atelier de la Nature’s youth education programs.

Register for this event for free here.

This event is made possible in partnership with Cycle Zydeco.

Multilingual accessibility (French/Spanish/English). Please contact Atelier de la Nature for other accessibility requests.

About Wayne Singleton and Same Ol’ 2 Step:

Wayne Singleton, founder, lead vocalist and accordionist of the band Wayne Singleton & Same Ol 2 Step, was raised in Lewisburg, Louisiana; a community centered in the area considered to be the birthplace of Zydeco, Wayne has been playing Zydeco music since the age of seven.
Now, nearly 25 years in the music industry, Wayne writes most of his own songs, and is a very versatile musician having mastered every instrument played in his band. Wayne Singleton has earned his status and reputation of being one of elite of among zydeco musicians. He has experience of playing with many of legendary Zydeco bands and Zydeco artist like Beau Jocque, Zydeco Force, Keith Frank, Chris Ardoin, Sean Ardoin, Andre Thierry and many more.
Wayne Singleton & Same Ol’ 2 Step can not only produce and perform traditional and new Zydeco music, the band has also the canny ability to give soul and country hits a Zydeco/Creole flavor. The touch of nouveau Zydeco music has put them at a different level, without compromising their traditional roots. The demand for the music of these 2-steppin’ guys is growing daily, and you can find Wayne Singleton & Same Ol’ 2 Step playing at historical Zydeco venues, and they are in great demand for local and national festivals. When you see Wayne Singleton & Same Ol’ 2 Step at work, you will see the best. Wayne Singleton & Same Ol 2 Step will make you dance!

Fête de la Nature2024-03-28T14:35:30-05:00
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

Cajun Mardi Gras Festival

2024-02-14T11:43:38-06:00

This five-day celebration is not your typical idea of Mardi Gras. There are no beads and doubloons here. Instead, in Eunice, Louisiana, men and women on horseback don hand-crafted wire masks, tall hats called capuchons, and colorful costumes. The main event is the Courir de Mardi Gras & Chicken Run. Here, revelers chase a chicken or guineafowl and participate in Medieval begging practices.

The courir takes place on Mardi Gras day and is only one part of the celebration. Starting the Friday before Mardi Gras Day, you can cut loose all weekend long. Dance in the street at music concerts and jam sessions. There are even activities for children and teenagers at the Lil’ Mardi Gras held on Sunday. Also on Sunday is an old-time boucherie (hog butchering).

The Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras dates back to when the town was first established in the late 19th century. The courir was abandoned for a few years during World War II, but in 1946 a small band of riders revived the tradition. Today, the Eunice Courir de Mardi Gras has more than 2,000 participants on the run. It continues to increase each year.

Learn more about the history of rural Louisiana Mardi Gras traditions here.

Eunice Mardi Gras
Courir de Mardi Gras and Chicken Run in Eunice, Louisiana
Eunice Mardi Gras at The Liberty
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Mardi Gras in Eunice, Louisiana
Cajun Mardi Gras Festival2024-02-14T11:43:38-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Here’s the Beef Cook-Off

2024-02-21T11:38:40-06:00

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-Off2024-02-21T11:38:40-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Annual Gumbo Cook-Off

2024-01-30T09:19:53-06:00

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-Off2024-01-30T09:19:53-06:00
4 Mar 2022

World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off

2024-07-19T14:36:42-05:00

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 Club/Organization. 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.

Enjoy live Cajun and zydeco music (starting at 10am), plenty of dancing and, of course, tons of étouffée.

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 fourth 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-Off2024-07-19T14:36:42-05:00

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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