features sidebars containing fun information about
food-related food festivals across the state.
See below for a complete listing...
Abbeville • Giant Omelette Celebration
Alexandria • Que'in on the Red
Amite • Oyster Festival
Arnaudville • Etouffee Festival
Basile • Swine Festival
Bayou Lafourche • French Food Festival
Belle Chasse • Plaquemine Parish Heritage and Seafood Festival
Belle Chasse • Plaquemine Parish Fair & Orange Festival
Blanchard • Poke Salad Festival
Breaux Bridge • Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
Bridge City • Gumbo Festival
Bunkie • Louisiana Corn Festival
Chalmette • Tomato Festival
Clinton • Red, White, Blueberry Festival
Crowley • International Rice Festival
Delacambre • Delacambre Shrimp Festival & Fair
DeRidder • Beauregard Watermelon Festival
Eunice • World Championship - Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off
Farmerville • Louisiana Watermelon Festival
Gonzales • Jambalaya Festival
Hammond • Smokin' Blues and BBQ Challenge
Harahan • St. Rita Pecan Festival
Iowa • Iowa Rabbit Festival
Kaplan • Louisiana Cajun Food Festival
Lacombe • Lacome Crab Fest
Lafayette • Boudin Cookoff
Lake Charles • Cajun French Music & Food Festival
LaPlace • Andouille Festival
Lecompte • Lecompte Pie Festival
Lydia • Lydia Cajun Food Fest
Mandeville • Seafood Festival
Metairie • Bucktown Seafood Festival
Morgan City • Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival
Morganza • Christmas Celebration & Gumbo Cookoff
New Iberia • Brudley's Wild Game, Seafood & Jambalaya Cook-Off
New Iberia • Cajun Hot Sauce Festival
New Iberia • Grillin in the Park Championship B-B-Que Cook-off
New Iberia • Great Chili Challenge
New Iberia • World Championship Gumbo Cookoff
New Orleans • Louisiana Oyster Jubilee
New Orleans • The Creole Tomato Festival, The Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the Louisiana Seafood Festival
Opelousas • Spice and Music Festival
Opelousas • Yambilee
Ponchatoula • Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
Port Allen • Oldies But Goodies Fest & Barbeque Cook-Off
Port Barre • Cracklin Festival
Ruston • Louisiana Peach Festival
Shreveport • Mudbug Madness
St. Martinville • Kiwanis Pepper Festival
Starks • Starks Mayhaw Festival
Vidalia • Jim Bowie BBQ Duel & Festival
Ville Platte • Smoked Meat Festival
Zwolle • Zwolle Tamale Fiesta
Que'in on the Red
March • Alexandria
This annual barbecue competition has good food, great music, family fan, friendly competition, great prizes and much more. We offer traditional festival food as well as a taste of good southern barbecue. A children's area is filled with rides and games for a fun and exciting family event. Our People's Choice tent is always popular with the opportunity to taste and judge your favorite team entry. Join us... it's tradition.
318.449.5056 • www.queinonthered.com
Oyster Festival
3rd Weekend in March • Amite
Held every third weekend of March the Amite Oyster Festival has held the distinction of being the first festival of the season each year in Tangipahoa Parish since 1976. The oyster industry, which came to Amite in 1949 and has continued to grow each year, is honored with a month long celebration culminating in this festival. Churches, service organizations, school groups and other clubs benefit from this festival, The families that began the oyster industry are still actively involved and are touched and proud to be honored by the wonderful people of Amite. Come to the Amite Oyster Festival to have a shuckin' good time.
985.748.7156 • www.amiteoysterfestival.org
World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-off
Last Sunday in March • Eunice
Our World Championship Crawfish Etouffee Cook-Off is free to the public and a fun activity for the entire family. Teams compete to see who can cook the best crawfish etouffee (smothered crawfish usually served with rice). Thousands of visitors come to this annual event to view three categories of cook-off participants. Teams also compete for the Best Decorated booth and this category has proven to be more creative and hotly contested than even the cooking. Throughout the day outstanding Cajun and Zydeco bands perform for the listening delight and dancing pleasure of the spectators.
337.457.2565 or 877.948.8004 • www.eunice-la.com or www.cajuntravel.com
The Smokin' Blues & BBQ Challenge
Last Weekend in March • Hammond
The Hammond Blues & BBQ Challenge is the largest BBQ Contest in the State of Louisiana and is the State Championship for The Kansas City BBQ Society. Over 120 BBQ teams competing in three different divisions vie for The Grand Championship each year. We are in our 6th year and all proceeds go towards three beneficiaries that help children and families in our community. This year we will benefit Special Olympics Louisiana, TARC & Tangi Food Pantry. Live music nightly, BBQ vendors and drink booths round out our event. Join us for Smokin' Good Time.
985.419.9863 • www.hammondbluesandbbq.com
Iowa Rabbit Festival
3rd week in March • Iowa
The Iowa Rabbit Festival is one of the top 20 festivals in the Southeastern United States, attracting over 20,000 people each year. You will enjoy live music, arts and craft booths, lots of great food, a huge carnival, pageant, and parade. The State Rabbit Show is a fun event with 400 Rabbits competing. All proceeds are donated back to our community. ôHop on over to the Iowa Rabbit Festival where I guarantee you will have a Hare raising good time!
337.433.8475 • www.iowarabbitfestival.org
Etouffee Festival
Last full weekend in April • Arnaudville
Our yearly Etouffee Festival is a fund raiser for St. John Francis Regis Catholic Church. There is a a pageant the weekend before the festival. Friday through Sunday you will enjoy lots of good music, beer and daiquiris, etouffee, bar-b-que, bingo, a silent auction, mayor's cook-off, and much more. This is a fun event for people of all ages.
337.754.5912
Cajun Hot Sauce Festival
1st OR 2nd Weekend in April • New Iberia
Family oriented festival which includes a variety of food vendors, craft vendors, great musical entertainment & a quality carnival. We also have a hot sauce manufacturer's competition which is judged along with a people's choice winner. On the Sunday of the event we have a Jambalaya Cook-off competition which is co-sponsored by world famous TABASCO Hot Sauce. These cook-off teams have samples of their products (which must include hot sauce) available to the public for tasting.
337.365.7539 • www.sugarena.com
Grillin' in the Park
Southwest La. Barbeque Championship Cookoff
April • New Iberia
This is the major fundraiser for the shepherd's food pantry. We have a day of barbeque cookoff, games with prizes for kids and many different fun and safety demonstrations. We do not allow alcohol because we want it to be a family event to show kids they can have fun and enjoyment without the use of alcohol. Some of the fun includes petting zoo, pony rides, fun jumps, craft booths, sweet booths and live music.
337.367.7388 •
Louisiana Oyster Jubilee
April • New Orleans
Started April 2006, in an effort to support Louisiana fishermen and bring tourists back to the French quarter following Hurricane Katrina, Oyster's Jubilee is truly a jubilee of oysters. Acme Oyster House fries 5,200 Louisiana oysters, and 340 feet of famous Leidenheimer French Bread is placed on tables that line an entire French Quarter block on Royal Street. More than 15 restaurants ôdressö a section of the po' boy as they please. From bacon to soy sauce, no section is dressed the same. Once complete the po'boy is free for the taking, but trust me, it doesn't last long!
504.293.2647 • www.oysterjubilee.com
Strawberry Festival
April • Ponchatoula
The Strawberry Festival has blossomed into a Louisiana celebration second only to Mardi Gras in its magnitude. We are the second largest free festival in the state. Are are many fun family events including Strawberry Ball, Baking Contest, Talent Show and Pageant. Plus you will enjoy live entertainment, rides, food booths, a parade, and so much more. Join us in Ponchatoula for a Strawberry Good Time!
1.800.917.7045 • www.lastrawberryfestival.com
Plaquemines Parish Heritage and Seafood Festival
Memorial Day Weekend • Belle Chasse
Plaquemines Parish Heritage and Seafood Festival is an annual celebration of the rich and vibrant heritage of the people of Plaquemines Parish Louisiana. Visitors to this ôSouthern Louisianaö treat will enjoy great local seafood and other unique local food specialties fixed as only bayou folks can, along with continuous live music from traditional Cajun instruments for two-stepppin' to local popular rockin' cover bands, crafts from local artisans, carnival rides, helicopter rides over some of the most historical battlefields in the Nation as well as the Mississippi River, the greatest commerce highway in the nation, and fun for the entire family.
504.394.6328 • www.plaqueminesparishfestival.com
The Annual Poke Salad Festival
2nd Saturday in May • Blanchard
The Poke Salad Festival has been held the 2nd Saturday in May for the past 34 years in Blanchard Louisiana, and is hosted by The Annual Poke Salad Festival Association. Leading up to the festival we have a treasure hunt, a store front decoration contest, a youth concert, and a 3-day carnival. Saturday's festivities feature a hometown parade, arts, crafts, food, and music starting at 10:00 am and ending with a street dance, now at the Poke Salad Pavilion, all on the festival grounds in Blanchard. For complete information on each year's events, please check our web page at www.PokeSaladFestival.com.
318.309.2647 or 318.929.7574 • www.PokeSaladFestival.com
Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival
First Weekend in May • Breaux Bridge
The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is one of the largest gatherings of world famous Cajun, Zydeco and Swamp Pop musicians with over 30 bands on three stages during the three-day festival. Fun festivities for all ages include a parade, accordion making, Cajun dance and cooking demonstrations, crawfish races, crawfish etouff e cook-off, crawfish eating contest, carnival rides and more. Artists, craftsmen and vendors display their ware for your shopping enjoyment. And, of course, nothing is as unique to Cajuns as eating crawfish and during festival weekend you'll enjoy tasting crawfish prepared in every imaginable way.
337.332.6655 • www.bbcrawfest.com
Tomato Festival
May • Chalmette
The Tomato Festival is a St. Bernard Tradition and has been for the past 58 years. Sponsored by Our Lady of Prompt Succor School, this family oriented event features live entertainment, a baby contest, pageant, amusement rides, and, of course, lots of great food. Join us for lots of fun for people of all ages.
504.271.2953 • www.olpsschool.org
Jambalaya Festival
Memorial Day Weekend • Gonzales
The Jambalaya Festival Association, chartered in 1967, invites you to bring your family to Gonzales, Louisiana, Memorial Day weekend for the annual Jambalaya Festival. The festival features World Champion Jambalaya served daily, live music and entertainment, carnival rides, cooking contests, a variety of food and so much fun it takes four days to get it all in. Your whole family will enjoy the vast variety of food, fun, music and activities. We invite each one of you to come share this great South Louisiana festival with us. It will be a weekend you will never forget.
225.622.6234 • www.jambalayafestival.org
Mudbug Madness
Memorial Day Weekend • Shreveport
What began in 1984 as a two-day street festival in downtown Shreveport is now one of Louisiana's largest and most popular Cajun festivals, featuring renown Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Jazz artists, mouth-watering Cajun cuisine, raucous contests, and fun for all ages. Now a four-day festival, Mudbug Madness is nationally recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events, drawing as many as 56,000 people in one day. Mudbug Madness created renewed interest in Louisiana's rich cultural heritage and the event's original organizers are proud to have brought a little bit of south Louisiana fun north to Shreveport.
318.222.7403 • www.mudbugmadness.com
Louisiana Corn Festival
Second full weekend in June • Bunkie
Aw Shucks! The Louisiana Corn Festival is held the second full weekend in June. It is a three day, family fun event and it is free to attend. Opening Ceremony is Friday, and the fun begins with the children's parade. There is a large carnival, arts & crafts and food vendors with something for everyone. Our city-wide parade is on Saturday at 11:00 am, after that the games begin. Get ready to compete in the corn eating, shucking and cooking contests. For sports-minded individuals, we have softball games with 16 teams competing and pirogue races on the bayou. The music doesn't stop with live bands and a street dance both nights. On Sunday is our talent competition and battle of the bands. So join us for a shucking good time.
800.833.4195 • www.bunkie.org
Beauregard Watermelon Festival
Last Weekend in June • DeRidder
The Beauregard Watermelon Festival is always held the last weekend of June. Beauregard Parish, Home of the original Sugartown Watermelon is cherished amongst watermelon lovers for over a century for their sugar sweet watermelons. Join us for a fun-filled weekend with events like a Watermelon Eating Contest, Seed Spitting Contest, Carving Contest, Growers Contest along with amusement rides, yard art, Cajun music, farmers market, bluegrass music, and more. There is fun for all ages at this super summer event.
1.800.738.5534 • www.beauparish.org
Lacombe Crab Fest
Last Weekend in June • Lacombe
The largest crab-themed festival in the south, the Lacombe Crab Fest features nonstop live entertainment, a gumbo competition, an interactive cultural village with demonstrating artists, and games and carnival rides for the kids. Local restaurateurs team up with local nonprofit organizations to prepare and offer a variety of seafood and crab dishes and all sorts of beverages. Bring the whole family and join us for a weekend of fun and pure pleasure under the majestic live oaks of John Davis Park.
985.867.9490 or 985.264.7112 or 985.882.3163 or 985.707.3163 • www.lacombecrabfest.com
The Creole Tomato Festival, The Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the Louisiana Seafood Festival
June • New Orleans
A New Orleans Vieux to Do celebrates 3 festivals in one weekend, in the New Orleans French Market. The Creole Tomato Festival, The Cajun-Zydeco Festival and the Louisiana Seafood Festival. It is held on Saturday and Sunday usually in June. There is plenty for the whole family to enjoy, lots of great food, music and art. For more information visit, www.LouisianaSeafoodFestival.com
504.286.8735 • www.frenchmarket.org • www.louisianaseafood.com
Spice & Music Festival
First Weekend in June • Opelousas
The City of Opelousas boasts a rich and colorful culture like no other. Designated as the Zydeco Capital of the World and the Spice Capital of Louisiana, the Spice & Music Festival, held the first weekend in June, features the best in Cajun and Zydeco music as well as mouth watering Cajun and Creole food. Held in downtown Opelousas in the center of a National Historic Register, the festival offers visitors and locals a taste of Southwest Louisiana heritage and of course, lots of spice!
337.948.5227 • www.cityofopelousas.com
Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival
Fourth weekend in June • Ruston
The Squire Creek Louisiana Peach Festival is a family-oriented event held annually the fourth weekend in June in Ruston. Events include arts and crafts; food; music; parade; 5K run; cookery contest; tennis, golf, and fishing tournaments; rodeo, pet show; antique car show; kids? events; fine-arts show; and more. Some events free, others, admission applies. Oldest continuous agriculture festival in Louisiana.
318.255.2031 • www.louisianapeachfestival.org
Starks Mayhaw Festival
Third Weekend in June • Starks
Mayhaw jelly, Mayhaw butter, Mayhaw berries... it must be time for the Starks Mayhaw Festival. Try your hand at jelly-making and catch a glimpse of the Mayhaw Queen and her court. This family-friendly festival has carnival rides for the kids... and live entertainment for kids at heart. You'll enjoy lots of food, craft, and game booths as well as lots of Southwest Louisiana fare. Hot biscuits and Mayhaw jelly are served Saturday morning with fresh-churned butter. A jelly making demonstration is also held. Mayhaw trees, berries juice, and jelly are available. There will be plenty to go around so join us.
337.743.6297 •
Smoked Meat Festival
Last Full Weekend in June • Ville Platte
The Smoked Meat Festival is hosted by our Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #632. In 1993 began Le Fesival de la Viande Boucan'ee ù a festival that showcases our Cajun heritage, distinctive cuisine, toe-tapping music and the natural beauty of the region.
337.363.6700 • www.smokedmeatfestival.com
Red, White & Blueberry Festival
July 3rd & 4th • Clinton
Make plans to celebrate Independence Day with Main Street in Clinton. You'll enjoy live music, street dancing, a patriotic program and fireworks, children's games with prizes, inflatable amusements, gospel choirs, and a blueberry cooking contest. Enjoy our community spirit and celebrate with our great businesses and over 100 food and craft vendors. Blueberries and blueberry products will be available ùpies, cobblers, jellies, and more. There is fun for all ages.
225.603.9003 • www.clintonla.com
Louisiana Watermelon Festival
Last weekend of July • Farmerville
The Louisiana Watermelon Festival offers activities from seed spitting, melon eating, the largest melon contest, melon decorating, to the melon auction. Watermelons will take over the small town of Farmerville for three fun-filled days. Thousands are expected to convene on the streets of Farmerville as the Watermelon Festival celebrates summer with great live music, classic backyard food, as well as other favorites, and a colorful mix of good time games, craft booths and activities for adults and children alike. Admission to the Festival is FREE for all.
318.368.0044 • www.lawatermelonfestival.com
Seafood Festival
4th of July Weekend • Mandeville
The oldest festival held in St. Tammany Parish, attendance for the Seafood Festival is estimated at over ten thousand people per day. Our association is a non-profit corporation, with a 100% volunteer membership, including the officers who contribute countless hours without compensation. The festival association has donated over $1,000,000.00 to various Mandeville area charities and causes. The festival features 20 food booths serving seafood dishes as well as alternative dishes, arts & craft booths, a children's entertainment area, and live musical entertainment throughout the three day event. The annual fireworks show is choreographed to music and celebrates the 4th of July.
985.624.9762 • www.seafoodfest.com
Cajun Music and Food Festival
3rd Weekend in July • Lake Charles
Music, food, crafts, folks and fun are what you will find at the Cajun Music and Food Festival. Since the first festival in 1987, it has continued to grow in size and reputation and has been named as a Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event. The two-day event features bands, dancing, Cajun dance troupe demonstrations, Cajun Dance contests, heritage displays, lots of Cajun food and crafts. The CFMA Beauty Pageant Competition is held the weekend before the festival on the 2nd Saturday in July.
337.562.9156 • www.cfmalakecharles.org
Delacambre Shrimp Festival
Third Full Weekend in August • Delacambre
The town of Delcambre, Louisiana, located about 20 miles southwest of Lafayette, is home to one of the area's most productive shrimp fleets. The town devotes an entire weekend to honor this economic lifeblood. Events include a shrimp cook-off, queens pageants, fais-do-do's, food booths, carnival rides, and the blessing of the shrimp boat fleet. There's plenty of fun for kids of all ages and lots to see, hear, and EAT!
337.685.2653 • www.shrimpfestival.net
Lydia Cajun Food Fest
2nd Weekend in September • Lydia
The Cajun Food Fest is a two-day event beginning Friday from 5pm to Midnight and continuing Saturday from 10am to 9pm. You'll enjoy a fais do do with 3 bands plus food booths, rides for kids, arts & crafts booths, a peoples-choice cook-off, survival walk and poker run. All money raised helps cancer patients in 4 parishes.
337.230.6730 • 337.519.9593
Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
Labor Day Weekend • Morgan City
This award-winning festival has been celebrated more than 70 years and is the state's oldest-chartered harvest festival. It is one in a dying breed of quality events offering family entertainment at no cost to the visitor (no gate fees are charged). The festival is also unique because nearly 40 non-profit organizations utilize it as their sole or primary source of funding. With attendance each year averaging 100,000 to 150,000 visitors, monies earned by these organizations are quite substantial and are funded back into the community in the form of scholarships and programs sponsored by schools, churches and other non-profit endeavors.
985.385.0703 • www.shrimp-petrofest.org
Jim Bowie Festival
September • Vidalia
The Jim Bowie Festival began more than 20 years ago to remember the famous Sandbar Fight that took place not far from the small town of Vidalia in the early 1800's. Today, the event includes the Louisiana State Championship Bowie Barbeque Duel, the Backyard BBQ event that's open to pros and amateurs alike, an arts & crafts show and live entertainment. Historian, author, and actor Jack Edmonson returns each year to lead his costumed group of volunteers through an exciting re-enactment of the Sandbar Fight. The festival is held in September, right on the banks of the Mississippi River.
318.336.8223 • www.vidaliala.com
French Food Festival
Last Full Weekend in October • Bayou Lafourche
The French Food Festival features over 20 local specialty dishes plus dancing and music. Experience the essence of life on Bayou Lafourche with folklife demonstrations offering everyone the chance to learn about Cajun living -- boat building, cooking, music and more. More than just a food festival, the French Food Festival includes an old-fashioned carnival midway, complete with games, rides, and cotton candy. Join us for family fun for all ages and experience more than 200 years of a legacy rich with traditions, legends, and a distinctive way of life.
985.693.7355 • www.bayoucivicclub.org
Gumbo Festival
Second Weekend in October • Bridge City
In 1973, Bridge City was proclaimed "The Gumbo Capital of the World" which began the annual celebration of the Gumbo Festival. It has grown into one of the most popular festivals of Louisiana attracting festival-goers and visitors from around the world. In addition to the very best seafood and chicken gumbo in the world, visitors will experience live entertainment, carnival rides, games, arts and crafts, and a Gumbo Cooking Contest. Join us for delicious gumbo and great fun for all ages.
504.329.4279 • www.gumbofestival.org
International Rice Festival
3rd weekend in October • Crowley
The International Rice Festival is one of the oldest and largest agricultural festivals in the South. Since the inauguration of the first festival on October 5, 1937, millions have attended the annual event. The International Rice Festival calls attention to the importance of rice as a food and to emphasize its place in the world's economic picture. Always held the third weekend in October, the Festival takes place in the downtown area of Crowley and is one of the few festivals free to the public. The celebration would not be possible without contributions from industries, businesses, and individuals. A very special recognition must be given to the many volunteers who have given of their time and talents to make this event the success that it is each year.
337-783-3067 • www.ricefestival.com
Louisiana Cajun Food Fest
Last Full Weekend in October • Kaplan
The French Food Festival is hosted annually on the last full weekend in October and features over 20 local specialty dishes. Dancing and music, along with Folklife demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, offer everyone the chance to learn about Cajun life-ways -- boat building, cooking, music and more. More than just a food festival, the French Food Festival includes an old-fashioned carnival midway, complete with games, rides, and cotton candy.
337.643.2400 • www.kaplanchamber.org
Boudin Cook-Off
October • Lafayette
A unique celebration that includes Boudin Sampling, cooking demonstrations, live music plus fun and games for kids and family including a Boudin Toss, Pin the Tail on the Pig, Balloon Artist, and more. Join us for a Boudin Eating Contest, Cochon de Lait (Cajun Pig Roast) and your opportunity to vote in the People's Choice competition. This fun-filled day winds down with an awards presentation. Come early; eat more.
Andouille Festival
October • LaPlace
Come and celebrate a good time in LaPlace, Louisiana where we honor the best-tasting Andouille sausage in the world. There are lots of bands that play throughout the weekend, down-home cooking sold at the food booths, beautiful crafts, and letÆs not forget the rides. We have our gumbo cook-off on Saturday and our annual 5-mile Andouille Run on Sunday. So come on over and let us show you a Smokin' Good Time
985.652.9569 • www.andouillefestival.com
Lecompte Pie Festival
First Weekend in October • Lecompte
The Lecompte Pie Festival was organized in the year of 2000 under the administration of Former Mayor Rosa Jones. Lecompte was noted for Lea's Restaurant, where everyone would stop by and buy a pie. Lea's sends pies all over the world, therefore after contacting Former Representative Charlie Dewitt who was in the Legislature at the time, asked him to pass a bill where we could become the Pie Capital of Louisiana, Thanks to him!! That's how our festival begun. It has been a great success, since its beginning. Every year the first weekend in October we celebrate The Lecompte Pie Festival, with food and craft booths, entertainment, pageant, parade, rides and games for the children. The first year the festival kicked off with 12,000 plus in attendance.
318.776.5488 • www.asliceoflouisiana.com
Bucktown Seafood Festival
Last Weekend in October • Metairie
We have games, inflatables, prizes, the best food around and we crown a new king and queen of Bucktown each year. Local bands perform all weekend; no entry fee.
504-833-8224
World Championship Gumbo Cookoff
Second Weekend in October • New Iberia
The World Championship Gumbo Cookoff is held the second weekend in October in downtown New Iberia, LA. Enjoy live music Friday night and a Food Fest and Shopping Extravaganza on Saturday with music and special street events. Sunday is the ?Battle of the Rouxs? with over seventy teams competing for the World?s best gumbo. Bring the family for this fun-filled event. Sponsored by the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce and Tabasco.
337.364.1836 • www.iberiachamber.org
Yambilee
Last Full Weekend in October (beginning on Thursday before) • Opelousas
THE SWEET GOLDEN YAM (sweet potato) has been something to celebrate ever since the Frenchmen, who established the first settlement here in 1760, discovered the native Indians eating sweet potatoes. The Yambilee Festival starts on the Thursday before the last full weekend of October and continues throughout the weekend. There are fun things for people of all ages including live music, cooked yam competition, yam-i-mal competition, carnival, talent competition, parade, food and crafts booth and so much more. Join us, And we guarantee, You'll have a Yam-Good-Time!
337.948.8845 • www.yambilee.com
Oldies But Goodies Fest
& Smokin' Oldies BBQ Cook-Off
2nd weekend in October • Port Allen
This State Championship BBQ Contest starts on Saturday each year with live music at 2:00 pm. On Sunday, there is a poker run, antique car show, hula hoop, jitterbug, twist contest and children's activities. Live bands featuring 50's, 60's & 70's music start at noon. All proceeds go to Dream Day Foundation/St. Judes Children's Hospital. Hours are from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm.
225.344.2920 • www.westbatonrouge.net
Kiwanis St. Martinville Pepper Festival
Third Sunday in October • St. Martinville
Kick up the heat and your heels at the Kiwanis Pepper Festival. Held under the historic Evangeline Oak, get ready for the scorching pepper eating contest, dance to red hot bands and enjoy the taste-temping local cuisine. Bring the family for cool games for the kids and shop the crafts on display. Festival proceeds benefit children's charities and programs sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Martinville. It's the hottest little festival going!
337.394.9396 • www.pepperfestival.org
Zwolle Tamale Fiesta
Second Full Weekend in October • Zwolle
The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta celebrates the rich Spanish and Indian heritage of the people of the town. Held each year at the Zwolle Festival Grounds, it is a fun-filled weekend of reliving the area's heritage with plenty of delicious hot tamales, entertainment, arts and crafts, dancing, parades, and children's activities. The Fiesta is fun for the entire family.
318.645.6141 • 318.645.2388 • www.zwollela.net
Giant Omelette Celebration
First weekend in November • Abbeville
Abbeville's 5000-EGG Giant Omelette Celebration is like no other festival. This family oriented event includes a kids world, arts & crafts show, 3-mile walk through Historic Downtown, antique cars on display, egg cracking contest, and some of Louisiana's best music to get you dancing. Grab your seat early for the procession of chefs, eggs and bread to the Giant 12 foot skillet where fun and folly are the order of day for those preparing the 5000 Egg Giant Omelette.
Louisiana Swine Festival
First Full Weekend in November • Basile
Our festival is held annually the first full weekend in November. Visitors enjoy our hog calling, boudin eating and pig chase contests, carnival, pork cook-off, exciting line up of music, food and our parade.
337.432.6807 • www.laswinefestival.com
St. Rita Pecan Festival
Second Full Weekend in November • Harahan
The 17th Annual St. Rita Pecan Festival will boast a wide array of rides, games, food and music. The Top Cats will perform on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., Bag Of Donuts plays from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday night. On Sunday, Gashouse Gorillaz performs from 2 to 5 p.m. and The Wise Guys from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, November 13th from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM (Midnight)Saturday, November 14th from 12:00 PM (noon) to 12:00 AM (Midnight)Sunday, November 15th from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
504.733.2915 • www.stritaharan.com
Brudley's Wild Game, Seafood & Jambalaya Cook-Off
November • New Iberia
Brudley's Wild Game, Seafood & Jambalaya Cook-Off is a fundraising event for the Iberia Boys and Girls Club. The event features around 25 teams competing in various categories. The $20 admission ($10 children) benefits the Boys and Girls Club and is your all you can eat ticket to some great dishes. In addition to delicious food, you will be entertained by live music from two bands -- one zydeco and one pop-country band. Join us for the fun, family friendly event.
337.268.9555 x100 • www.bgcacadiana.com
The Great Chili Challenge
1st Saturday in November • New Iberia
The Great Chili Challenge is a fun event for the entire family. There are many different chilis to taste and vote on, live music, art and crafts and many fun things for the kids to do. Come and enjoy good food and lots of fun!
337.364.2273
Port Barre Lions Club Cracklin Festival
2nd full weekend in November • Port Barre
Our festival is held Thursday thru Sunday in November, featuring a fair, arts and craft booths, food booths, and live music all weekend. You'll enjoy a parade on Saturday and Queens pageant the weekend before. Money raised is donated to Lions Eye Foundation in New Orleans, LA, Lions Crippled Children Camp in Leesville, LA, and various other charities. Thursday night til 10 pm, Friday & Saturday til 12 midnight and Sunday til 6 pm.
337.585.6673 • www.portbarrecracklinfestival.com
The Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival
First Full Weekend in December • Belle Chasse
Taste a slice of Louisiana at the Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival. Each year, thousands of visitors come to Plaquemine Parish to experience one of the oldest and most unique Festivals in the State of Louisiana. Come help us celebrate the Citrus Industry and the people behind it with fun activities for the entire family. You will experience wonderful food, entertainment, contests, crafts, novelties, and hospitality. Join for Louisiana's favorite festival with Orange-A-Peel.
504-656-7599 • www.orangefestival.com
Christmas Parade and Gumbo CookOff
Second Sunday in December • Morganza
Join us for live music in the streets from 10 am until the last person goes home. You'll enjoy craft and novelty booths, food booths, and gumbo galore. There are free photos with Santa Claus from 11 am to 1 pm. Gumbo judging begins at noon, and the parade starts at 2pm. There's fun for all ages including children's rides, carousel, rock climbing, and spacewalks. Come early and stay all day so you won't miss any of the fun.
225.694.3655