4 Mar 2022

Annual Gumbo Cook-Off

2025-01-14T14:40:33-06:00

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-Off2025-01-14T14:40:33-06:00
4 Mar 2022

World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-Off

2025-02-14T10:25:32-06:00

The Eunice Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Eunice, proudly presents the 38th Annual World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-off.

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 Best Decorated Booth. 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.

Join us on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Pavilion at 651 Samuel Drive in Eunice from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM as we celebrate 38 years of Cajun culture, music, and mouthwatering étouffée.

Enjoy live Cajun and zydeco music (starting at 10am) by Cajun Strong, Geno Delafose, and Jamie Bergeron. There will be plenty of dancing and, of course, tons of étouffée. In addition to world-class Cajun cuisine and live music, enjoy an array of arts & crafts vendors and kids’ activities, including a hands-on Music Instrument Petting Zoo presented by Louisiana Folk Roots.

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 last 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-Off2025-02-14T10:25:32-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Lebeau Zydeco Festival

2025-05-07T10:32:41-05:00

It’s all zydeco music, all day long at the Lebeau Zydeco Festival. From the place that gave us zydeco hits like, “Don’t Mess With My Toot Toot” comes an annual celebration of the genre and its roots in the Creole community. Located on the grounds of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lebeau, Louisiana, this festival was made for the fans. It features the most popular zydeco music bands in South Louisiana. Bring a dancing partner, maybe a lawn chair, and an appetite. The festival is famous for its pork backbone dinners.

For Lebeau’s 33rd Annual Zydeco Fest on July 5th, Geno Delafose, Jeremy Fruge, Step Rideau, and Rusty Metoyer will be performing live with sounds by DJ Jammin’ J

No BBQ pits, ATVs, glass containers, or ice chests/coolers allowed. This festival is held annually on the first Saturday of July.

Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for kids.

Get your festival shirt by contacting Theresa Rideau at 337-257-9457. Vendors call Geneva at 337-945-4238. For more information call Geneva at 337-945-4238, Mayor Irving at 337-351-3902, or the parish office at 337-623-0303.

Lebeau Zydeco Festival
Lebeau Zydeco Festival
Lebeau Zydeco Festival
Lebeau Zydeco Festival2025-05-07T10:32:41-05:00
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

Port Barre Cracklin Festival

2025-07-11T11:43:46-05:00

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 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 Festival2025-07-11T11:43:46-05:00
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

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

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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