4 Mar 2022

Zydeco Capital Jam

2024-06-05T12:23:36-05:00

Zydeco Capital Jam is a monthly jam session for zydeco musicians and fans. The jam takes place on the second Saturday of every month at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center, just north of Opelousas.

This is the first jam of its kind in nearly a decade. It recalls the tradition from when zydeco legend Roy Carrier would jam with other great musicians at the Offshore Lounge in Lawtell. Where better to revive the tradition of zydeco music jams than in the Zydeco Music Capital of the World – Opelousas, Louisiana.

Bring your favorite instrument and jam or sit back and appreciate the music. Every month, our executive director, Herman Fuselier, invites zydeco musicians to lead the jam. They can range from world-famous names to hidden gems from the parish. These jam sessions are your opportunity to hear your favorite songs, play with friends, and experience the Gumbo For Your Soul that is zydeco music.

The Zydeco Capital Jam is open to musicians of all skill levels. Seating is available for zydeco fans to sit and tap their toes.

Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam in Opelousas, Louisiana
Zydeco Capital Jam2024-06-05T12:23:36-05:00
4 Mar 2022

Lebeau Zydeco Festival

2025-11-26T15:16:13-06:00

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 34th Annual Zydeco Fest on July 4th. Stay tuned for the live music line up.

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 Festival2025-11-26T15:16:13-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Original Southwest LA Zydeco Music Festival

2025-11-26T15:39:44-06:00

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. Tickets are $25.

The main event is at the Yambilee Building with music starting at 12pm. Stay tuned for the live music lineup.

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 Festival2025-11-26T15:39:44-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Port Barre Cracklin Festival

2025-11-26T14:56:43-06:00

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 40th 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 offering a lively mix of Cajun, Zydeco, and country music to keep the crowd dancing all weekend long.

The Cracklin Festival is a showcase of Louisiana’s iconic culinary tradition—cracklins—and serves as a vital fundraiser for the Port Barre Lions Club, supporting various charitable initiatives in the community. The cook-off has two categories, pork and chicken cracklins and there are two divisions, amateur and professional.  We are giving awards for the best decorated booths as well.

Enjoy local delicacies beyond cracklins, including gumbo, jambalaya, and boudin, while browsing handcrafted goods from talented artisans.

Featuring contestants from across the region, their youth pageant celebrates the spirit of Acadiana and honoring the young women of the community.  Official Crowning will be held at the festival grounds for the new 2026 Miss & Teen Cracklin Festival Queens.

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! 

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.

The Port Barre Lions Club was 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.

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 Festival2025-11-26T14:56:43-06:00
4 Mar 2022

Holy Ghost Creole Festival

2025-11-26T14:58:17-06:00

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 Festival2025-11-26T14:58:17-06:00
23 Jan 2019

Zydeco Capital Jam debuts in St. Landry Parish

2025-02-26T16:14:10-06:00

Monthly event restores tradition in Zydeco Capital of the World

Zydeco Capital Jam, a monthly jam session for zydeco musicians and fans, kicks off from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 9 at the St. Landry Parish Visitor Center at I-49 exit 23, just north of Opelousas. Corey Ledet, a Grammy-nominated accordionist who has served as a teacher in UL Lafayette’s Traditional Music Program, will lead the jam.

Herman Fuselier, new executive director of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, said the event is the region’s first zydeco jam session in nearly a decade.

“Cajun music jam sessions are held throughout St. Landry Parish and Acadiana,” said Fuselier. “But nowhere is there a jam session for zydeco music.

“The Zydeco Capital Jam would bring back a tradition we haven’t had since zydeco legend Roy Carrier died in 2010. Many great musicians came out of the Thursday night jams that Roy had at the Offshore Lounge in Lawtell.

“There’s no better place to revive the jams than the official Zydeco Music Capital of the World – Opelousas.”

Fuselier added the jam gives visitors and locals something to do after Saturday morning music events, such as the zydeco breakfasts in the area, and dances later that evening. The zydeco jam, set for the second Saturday of each month, would complement Jammin’ on the Bayou, a Cajun/country jam on the third Saturdays at the Visitor Center.

Zydeco Capital Jam debuts in St. Landry Parish2025-02-26T16:14:10-06:00

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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