4 Mar 2022

Cycle Zydeco

2024-07-19T15:00:32-05:00

Cycle Zydeco is a four-day bike ride through Cajun Country. This rolling party is the best touring ride in the US. Start with breakfast in the morning and a leisurely bike ride through scenic byways to the next community. At each stop, shop and sample dishes at local restaurants. Every evening, cyclists can enjoy a personal party. Experience zydeco dance lessons and live music by award-winning Cajun and zydeco music bands.

Each day they offer two route options. The main route is around 38 miles and the long route is 62.14 miles+. Register for the entire four-day event or the "weekend warrior" option.

See route descriptions and register at CycleZydeco.org.

The ride is hosted by TRAIL. TRAIL is a non-profit organization dedicated to building and maintaining parks, hiking trails, bike trails, and other recreational infrastructures. They work to build better communities that promote healthy lifestyle options, appreciation for the native environment, and a more desirable place to live, work, and visit.

Cycle Zydeco in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana
Cycle Zydeco
Cycle Zydeco
Cycle Zydeco
Cycle Zydeco
Cycle Zydeco
Cycle Zydeco2024-07-19T15:00:32-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Semi-Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale

2024-12-11T15:15:41-06:00

The Semi-Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale is a highly anticipated antique show in Washington, Louisiana. Twice a year at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall, hundreds of vendors gather to sell their wares. You can shop for bargains, food vendors, and more vintage items. Experienced antique shoppers love to stop at this sprawling 40,000 sq. ft. building.

The Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall was built in 1934 as Washington High School. Today, the two-story building features antiques, furniture, vintage clothing, and primitives. Take a break from shopping at Duet's Café. This 50's style diner is located in the school's gym. Grab a burger or sandwich there to refuel. They serve daily plate-lunches and homemade cakes and pies.

Visit the Semi-Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale on the second weekend in April and October every year except when it interferes with Easter. It's a weekend-long event from Friday to Sunday starting at 9am.

Need accommodations? Washington has several historic bed and breakfasts.

Semi Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall in Washington
Semi Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall in Washington
Semi Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall in Washington
Semi Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall in Washington
Semi Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale in Washington, Louisiana at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall
Semi Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale in Washington, Louisiana at the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall
Semi-Annual Antique Fair & Yard Sale2024-12-11T15:15:41-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Halloween Art & Nature Fest

2024-11-20T12:51:40-06:00

Celebrate Halloween at this festival on the last Saturday in October from 11am-4pm at Atelier de la Nature. The nature preserve is located along the Corridor des Arts near Arnaudville. At this free event, parents have a great opportunity for their kids to celebrate Halloween safely. Learn about the importance of the environment while also celebrating Halloween through art, music, food & science.

Be a part of this event by volunteering or as a vendor by emailing info@atelierdelanature.org.

Halloween Art & Nature Fest in Arnaudville, Louisiana
Halloween Art & Nature Fest in Arnaudville, Louisiana
Halloween Art & Nature Fest in Arnaudville, Louisiana
Halloween Art & Nature Fest in Arnaudville, Louisiana
Halloween Art & Nature Fest in Arnaudville, Louisiana
Halloween Art & Nature Fest in Arnaudville, Louisiana
Halloween Art & Nature Fest2024-11-20T12:51:40-06:00
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

2025-08-14T11:39:52-05:00

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 full 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 39th 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.  Our Youth Pageant will be held on November 8th and our Miss & Teen Pageant on November 9th.  See our website for more information and entry forms.   Official Crowning will be held at the festival grounds for the new 2025 Miss & Teen Cracklin Festival Queens.

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 on-line under "Festival Events".

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 Port Barre 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 Festival2025-08-14T11:39:52-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Festival of Words

2025-08-06T10:33:18-05:00

The Festival of Words is held in Grand Coteau. Celebrate the written word with open mics throughout the year that culminate in this two-day festival. Sharpen your craft with creative writing workshops hosted by published authors. There will also be a community stage for open mic and "Drive-by Poetry". At this event, youth give dramatic presentations of festival authors' writings.

Features for this year's Festival of Words are:

  • Sheryl St.Germaine, a native of New Orleans, she has taught at The University of Texas at Dallas, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Knox College, Iowa State University and Chatham University, where she served as Director of the MFA in Creative Writing for 14 years. She is the co-founder and former Director of the Words Without Walls Program, which for over ten years trained graduate students to teach creative writing in prisons, jails and rehabilitation centers. Her work has received several awards, including two NEA Fellowships, an NEH Fellowship, the Dobie-Paisano Fellowship, the Ki Davis Award from the Aspen Writers Foundation, and the William Faulkner Award for the personal essay. She was named Louisiana Writer of the Year in November 2018.
  • Gabriel Houck is originally from New Orleans, and his first collection, You or a Loved One, won the 2017 Orison Fiction Prize, judged by David Haynes. Stories from this collection — "The Dot Matrix: and "When the Time Came" — were shortlisted as distinguished stories in the 2017 and 2015 editions of The Best American Short Stories, respectively. Prior to teaching at the University of Louisiana, he served as the Emory University Arts Fellow in Fiction from 2019-2023, and has received scholarships and fellowships from the Tin House Workshops, the Sewanee Writers Workshop, the Vermont Studio Center, Longleaf Writers Conference, the UCROSS Foundation, and the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. His creative work appears in journals such as Glimmer Train, West Branch, The Sewanee Review, The Chattahoochee Review, Mid American Review, Western Humanities Review, The Cimarron Review, Smokelong Quarterly, and most recently in the Driftwood Press 2024 Anthology. Gabriel lives in Lafayette, with a yard that would be perfect for a good rescue dog.
  • Gina Ferrara has maintained a consistent presence in the local poetry scene. She recalls a time before Hurricane Katrina when poetry readings were abundant, with events happening almost every night of the week. One of the most popular, the Maple Leaf Reading Series at the Maple Leaf Bar, is still active and remains the longest-running poetry series in the country. Ferrara even met her husband at a poetry reading, as well as forged many lifelong friendships through readings. She has also curated The Poetry Buffet since 2007, a monthly event featuring various poets, which she considers an essential way to bring poetry to the community. Her involvement in poetry has taken her beyond New Orleans, with opportunities to read and study in cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles. She was even awarded a grant to study and perform in Ireland. While grateful for these experiences, Ferrara remains deeply rooted in the local literary community.

Find their full schedule here.

Find nearby accommodations here.

Festival of Words in Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Festival of Words in Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Festival of Words in Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Festival of Words in Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Festival of Words in Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Festival of Words in Grand Coteau, Louisiana
Festival of Words2025-08-06T10:33:18-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Holy Ghost Creole Festival

2024-11-20T11:40:46-06:00

Experience Creole culture at the Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana. Every year, the festival takes place on the first full weekend of November and kicks off on Friday morning with finger-lickin' fried catfish. That night, experience gospel hymns featuring several choir groups from Holy Ghost Catholic Church.

Saturday, the festival grounds open early with live music and more Creole food to sample including their famous backbone stew and barbeque pork steak. Dinner tickets may be purchased at the Church Parish Office until the day of the event, or you may purchase tickets on the grounds. That morning, participate in the 5k run or 1-mile fun walk to prepare for a day of amazing food. Pies, boudin, cracklins, and other great local foods will be sold each day of the festival. All-day long, hear zydeco music bands under the music tent, but be sure to take a break to seek out the festival's famous sweet dough pies. Holy Ghost volunteers spend hours preparing and baking this local treat because they are just too tempting to pass up.

Sunday, join the locals in celebrating their Creole heritage at the Creole Festival Parade. The route runs from Landry Street all the way to Union Street. Feel free to bring lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy the parade.

Click here for nearby accommodations.

Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival Sweet Dough Pies in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Holy Ghost Creole Festival2024-11-20T11:40:46-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Cankton Courir de Mardi Gras

2025-08-06T09:55:05-05:00

Join the celebration at the 6th 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 Gras2025-08-06T09:55:05-05:00

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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