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 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 Festival2024-11-20T11:40:46-06:00
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