4 Mar 2022

Juneteenth Folklife Celebration

2025-06-10T10:16:53-05:00

The Juneteenth Folklife Celebration highlights the folk art, heritage, and traditions of African-American culture in St. Landry Parish. Rebecca Henry, owner of the Creole Heritage Folklife Center, hosts the event. She is a child of sharecroppers, artist, and a wealth of cultural knowledge. This celebration pays tribute to the date when Texas slaves first heard the news of their freedom.

On Saturday under the Farmers Market Pavilion in Opelousas from noon to 4pm, you will be able to listen to live music and traditional dancing. It’s going to be a great time. See original folk art and learn about the heritage and traditions of the region. As this is a family-friendly event, no alcohol is sold or allowed on-site.

Juneteenth Celebration in Opelousas, Louisiana
Juneteenth Celebration in Opelousas, Louisiana
Juneteenth Celebration in Opelousas, Louisiana
Juneteenth Folklife Celebration2025-06-10T10:16:53-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Congé

2025-02-28T09:47:13-06:00

Congé is a spring celebration held on the breathtaking grounds of the Academy of the Sacred Heart and Berchmans Academy in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Toss some confetti eggs with the kids as you play carnival games or test yourselves on the rock wall. There will also be games, live music, fantastic food, a silent auction, and a raffle.

The Congé Easter Egg hunt starts at 10am. Your child can take pictures with the Easter Bunny and find as many eggs as they can carry.

Congé2025-02-28T09:47:13-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Cemetery Tours & Historical Reenactments

2024-07-19T13:35:12-05:00

Spend some time with voices from the past at the St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours & Historical Reenactments in the Zydeco Capital of the World, Opelousas. This historical group tour will transport you back in time. Reactors focus on a chosen time period in Opelousas’ over 300 years of history and dress the part.

You’ve heard of New Orleans’s famous haunted tours, but you’ve never seen a tour done by the ghosts themselves. Tour the cemetery where Napoleonic General Garrigues de Flaugeac and Louisiana Governor Jacques Dupré are interred with your ghostly guides. 

All proceeds from the cemetery tours fund the Cemetery Historical Restoration Project. The tours began in 2003 and, to date, 30-plus gravesites have been restored.

Saturday tours take place at 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm, and 7:30pm, while Sunday tours are at 2pm and 3pm. Handicapped accessible tours will be available. Call the organizer for more details. Bus groups are welcome.

St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours in Opelousas, Louisiana
St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours and Historical Reenactments in Opelousas, Louisiana
St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours and Historical Reenactments in Opelousas, Louisiana
St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours and Historical Reenactments in Opelousas, Louisiana
St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours and Historical Reenactments in Opelousas, Louisiana
St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery Tours and Historical Reenactments in Opelousas, Louisiana
Cemetery Tours & Historical Reenactments2024-07-19T13:35:12-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Original Southwest LA Zydeco Music Festival

2024-12-11T15:11:47-06:00

Opelousas is the Zydeco Music Capital of the World and home to one of the biggest zydeco music celebrations, the Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival. In 1981, there was a real fear that Creole and zydeco music was dying out. To combat this, a group of concerned citizens organized the Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival. Today, the event features the best performers in zydeco. Swamp-pop, swing, R&B, and southern soul enjoyers will also have a great time. It’s the perfect event to dance to your favorite zydeco musicians.

On Friday, enjoy the Zydeco Festival’s Kick-off Dance taking place at Evangeline Downs at 9pm. 

The main event is at the Yambilee Building with music starting at 12pm. Stay tuned to see who’s playing.

The Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival is usually held the Saturday before Labor Day in Opelousas.

Gates open at 11am, but the music starts at 12pm. Admission is $25 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. No coolers allowed. RV Parking is $10/day (no electricity). No glass containers. No BBQ pits. No open flame burners.

Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival in Opelousas, Louisiana
Original Southwest LA Zydeco Music Festival2024-12-11T15:11:47-06:00
4 Mar 2022

ECCBC Summer Concert Series

2025-06-03T12:55:52-05:00

Eunice Community Concert Band & Choir presents their 33rd season of bringing song and life to Eunice. Established in 1990, they’ve always hosted events with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. They even encourage audience participation. Special choir selections can be credited to the heirloom cases of WWII-era music provided by one of the organization’s co-founders. The concert band, adult choir, and children’s choir train arduously in the months leading up to the summer performance.

This year, the children will sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”.

CHOIR: Memories, Na Na Na, Singin’ in the Rain, You’ll Be Back from HAMILTON, Shine on Us, Blue Moon & Hey Jude

CONCERT BAND: Beetlejuice, Bella Ciao, Habanera from CARMEN, Benny Goodman: The King of Swing, Lassus Trombone & Shostakovich Waltz No 2

The concert is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Tickets are available in advance by calling 337-457-1776, but will also be available at the door.

ECCBC Summer Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Summer Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Summer Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Summer Concert Series2025-06-03T12:55:52-05:00
4 Mar 2022

ECCBC Christmas Concert

2024-11-04T11:09:16-06:00

Eunice Community Concert Band & Choir present their Christmas concert. Usually, this event would take place at the historic Liberty Theatre. However, due to the renovations currently underway at the beloved theatre, for the past few years, they’ve sung at the First Baptist Church in Eunice. The concert will have two performances in the first full week of December. One will be on Thursday at 7pm and another on Friday at 7pm.

The ECCBC was established in 1990 making 2024 their 34th anniversary. This community is made up of a choir concert band, adult choir, and children’s choir.  This talented group practices diligently in the months leading up to the concert. They sing in a variety of styles. This family-friendly event is designed to get everyone in the holiday mood.

Selections: Sparklejollytwinklejingley, Thankful, Can You Hear the Christmas Bells, Who’s the Little Baby?, We Need a Little Christmas, The Holiday Tango, Happy Holiday/White Christmas, Christmas Portrait, Star of Bethlehem, Santa Baby, All I Want for Christmas Is You, Fantasy on Deck the Hall

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for children under 12. Call 337-457-1776 for additional ticket information.

ECCBC Christmas Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Christmas Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Christmas Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Christmas Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Christmas Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Christmas Concert in Eunice, Louisiana
ECCBC Christmas Concert2024-11-04T11:09:16-06:00
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

Festival of Words

2024-12-11T15:22:59-06:00

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:

  • A$iaMae, a Black, non-binary Southern poet, humorist and cultural worker with roots in Georgia, South and North Carolina. A multi-hyphenated artist, their background spans across film, curation, production, performance and language arts.
  • Darrell Bourque was born in southwest Louisiana in 1942. He started publishing poems when he worked on his Ph. D. at Florida State in the mid-70s and is the author of six books of poems. He is professor emeritus in English at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and he was named poet laureate of Louisiana by Governor Kathleen Blanco in 2007.
  • Tyler Robert Sheldon is an American poet, writer, educator, editor, critic, and author of two full-length poetry collections and several chapbooks.

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 Words2024-12-11T15:22:59-06:00
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

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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