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LOUISIANA CAJUN FESTIVAL
AND EVENTS CALENDAR


© Grace Soileau

COMING EVENTS IN & AROUND VILLE PLATTE & LOUISIANA

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL
MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST
SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

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MARDI GRAS
Courir de Mardi Gras
In the early spring before Easter everyone enjoys "Mardi Gras". This is always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
The Courir de Mardi Gras is fashion after a medieval France hoilday which was know a "Fete de Quemander" (quemander is French for begging). We know that our ancestors were doing this before the Civil War.
In Ville Platte, Mamou and surrounding areas Cajuns ride on horseback, to the country side for Mardi Gras day. Cajuns ride horseback on Fat Tuesday to beg for food to cook for the Fai Do-Do and Gumbo that takes place that night.

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FEBRUARY

LOUISIANA MARDI GRAS GUMBO FESTIVAL
IN VILLE PLATTE, LA.
PlACE: Old Pirte Ford building, on East Main Street.
The Ville Platte Lion's Club Gumbo Festival is now held the same week as Mardi Gras. The festival features a Gumbo cook-off competition every year. The Louisiana Gumbo Festival has been expanded for two days. It starts in evening at 6:00 p.m. with music, dancing and with hot cajun gumbo being served. Saturday it will open during the morning with arts, crafts and food booths.
Admission $2:00 for children and $5:00 for adults. The festival is sponsored by the Ville Platte Lions Club.

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Mamou Mardi Gras Events

Saturday, February
Children's Mardi Gras Run
For children up to age 15
Register 7:00-8:20 a.m. at the Mamou Civic Center
8:30 Run departs & returns at 2:00 p.m. to the center

Children's Mardi Gras Dance
6:00-11:00 p.m. Celestine Community Center
Only for children who participated in the run
Prizes will be awarded in several categories.

Tuesday, February
6:00 a.m. The Mardi Gras begin gathering at the American Legion Hall.
7:30 a.m. The Courir de Mardi Gras usually leaves the American Legion Hall

Street Dance at 6th and Main
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. "Calcasieu Cajun Band"
1:00-4:00 p.m. "Jamie Berzas & Cajun Tradition Band"

Between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
The Mardi Gras Courir arrives back in Mamou when they finish their run.
4:00-8:00 p.m. Cajun Music at the American Legion Hall
Provided by the Mardi Gras Association


GRAND PRAIRIE MARDI-GRAS
Registration: Sunday February at 6:30 a.m.
At: W.D. Fontenot grocery store.
Riders must be 16 years old and in full costume, NO EXECPTIONS will be made.
Wagons are welcome.
Price $6:00 & incudes live music, boudin. chicken chasing and a real old fashion good time.
Gumbo & Awards given out on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Grand Prairie Hall. Music will be provided by "W.D. & the Cherokee Playboys."

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MARCH

BOGGY BAYOU FESTIVAL
March, in Pine Prairie, Louisiana
Annual Boggy Bayou is set for this year and Gene Watson will be feature entertainer for this year. His frist big break came in 1974 on a single "Love in the Hot Afternoon" giving way to other hits like "Farewell Party", "Fourteen Carat Mind", "Paper Rosie", Speak Softly", and "Should I Come Home". The price of admission is $3.00 for adults and $1.00 for those 7 to 14 years of age.

CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE COOKOFF
March in Eunice, Louisiana

"Annual Crawfish Etouffee World Championship Cookoff"
At the Northwest Community Center Pavilion in Eunice 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The best cooks in the nation will be on the Cook-Off Teams.
You can even buy a dish of Crawfish Etouffee for $2:00, "Ca c'est Bon".

For more info call 318-457-7389 in Eunice, Louisiana.
Eunice Festival Site

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APRIL

14th ANNUAL
BOGGY BAYOU FESTIVAL
April, in Pine Praire, Louisiana

14th Annual Boggy Bayou Festival is set to be held in April, with lots of fun for the whole family. The Festival opens Friday April 3 at 10:00 a.m., with a Carnival, music, Food and Craft Booths. A 5K run/walk will be held on Saturday. Hunter Hayes and his Louisiana Hot Band will be there from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., come see this 6 year old child with his Band you will be in for a treat. For more information call Sandra or Christy at the Prairie Manor Nursing Home, 318-599-2031

BELAIRE COVE CRAWFISH COOKOFF
April, Belaire Cove Community

The10th Annual Crawfish Etouffee cookoff wil be Sunday, April 11, starting at 8:00 in the morning at the Belaire Cove Chapel.
There will be live music, crafts, clown show, sweets shop, old time auction at 1:00 p.m. A plate lunch is $4.00.
Prizees & Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place cooks, and booth decorations
For more info call Benita 318-363-5132, Runnie 318-363-3957, or Jane 318-363-6537.


FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL de LOUISIANE
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA

The Festival is an artistic, cultural crossroads of The World of Music.
The rhythms and music are heard not by the ear, but by the spirit. It might be a Calypso beat, Canadian folk song, a tale of lost love, a plea to the spirits, Parisian cabaret. Cajun waltzes, Reggae, Caribbean carnival chants, Zydeco, Soukous from Zaire, Haitian Rara, New Orleans Blues & Jazz, Ballads from Senegal, or a prayer for a bountiful harvest. The Bonds of people from a world unified by one language, MUSIC. The essence of cultural differences and universal similarities. Music that crosses the widest of rivers, the deepest of oceans with awe, respect and love for each other.
Festival International Site

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MAY

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JUNE

CORN FESTIVAL
BUNKIE, LOUISIANA

Aw Shucks, it's the Corn Festival which is always on the second week-end in June
in the town of Bunkie, Louisiana. Lots of fun for all.


CAJUN MUSIC FESTIVAL
Mamou, Louisiana

"Preserving Our Heritage Through Our Music"
The 27th Annual Mamou Cajun Music Festival, will take place
In June at the Mamou Civic Center.
It is a 2 day festival presenting traditional Cajun Musicians, Dancing, and Food. An all volunteer group of 60 or 70 individuals from Mamou and surrounding areas makes this festival what it is.

Mamou is the second largest town in Evangeline Parish just down the road from the largest town in the Parish, Ville Platte


"Le Festival de La Viande Boucanee"
SMOKE MEATS FESTIVAL

The Smoke Meats Festival takes place in Ville Platte in late June every year. This year it will be held on June 25th & 27th. The smoked meat cook-off will be held on the second day of the festival.
The festival is held at the Ville Platte Civic Center Grounds. It Is sponsor by the Evangeline Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America.

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JULY

BAYOU FREEDOM FESTIVAL
Houma, Louisiana

Thursday, July 2nd - 6pm - 10pm
Friday, July 3rd - 6pm - 12am
Saturday, July 4th - 2pm - 12am
Located at the corner of Hwy. 311 and Saint Charles Street, Houma, Louisiana 70360
You don't want to miss it! Come and experience the Louisiana Souls on the Bayou Freedom Festival sponosored by Harvest Cathedral. There'll be rides for young and old, entertainment, fabulous cajun food, spectacular fireworks and much more!
For more information call 504-851-3585

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AUGUST

RAYNE FROG FESTIVAL
Rayne, Louisiana

The Rayne Frog Festival is always in late August, and held at the Rayne Civic Center.

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SEPTEMBER

ZEYDECO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Plaisance, Louisiana

This year will be the 16th annual Zydeco Music Festival. The Zydeco Music Festival takes place in Plaisance, Louisiana
September, 5th 1999 and starts at 9 a.m. that morning. Bring your lawn chairs!
Held every year on Labor Day week-end.
This year the Festival will be sponsor by Tony Chachere's Foods, with 14 great Zydeco bands.


KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FALL BASH
Pine Prairie, Louisiana

"Fall Bash" Saturday September 26, 1998 at the Boggy Bayou Festival Grounds
1 mile south of Pine Prairie.
With Cajun Music from 6 to 8 p.m., and Swamp Pop from 8 to 12:00 p.m.
Admission $3.00 per person or $5.00 per couple. Refreshments will be sold.

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OCTOBER

ROBERTS COVE GERMAN-FEST
Willkommen!! Welcome!!
October 2nd and 3rd 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Rayne, Louisiana at Saint Leo's Catholic Church grounds.

we welcome German costumes, but no ice chest or glass bottles.
ENTERTAINMENT, REFRESHMENTS, FOLKLORE PRESENTATIONS, HISTORICAL MUSEUM, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES and SOUVENIRS!!!
For More info 318-334-8354 or E-mail germanfest@aol.com
North of I-10, to Rayne La.(Hwy. 35) then left to Hwy 98 at Chevron, about 3 miles.


THE COTTON FESTIVAL
Ville Platte, Louisiana

The Annual Cotton Festival is always in Mid October. It will be the 46th year for this festival, You'll come. There is a street dance, fair and parade. The famous running of the Tournoi is on the last day of the Festival and held in the afternoon after the parade. The Festival Board President for this year is Gilbert "Winky" Aucoin.


Le TOURNOI De La VILLE PLATTE
Tournoi is a French word for tournament and is the "Sport Of The Knights". It was introduced by early settlers who may have served in Napoleon's army. It has become the highlight of the Cotton Festival. The date for this is Sunday, October


LOUISIANA YAMBILEE
Opelousas, Louisiana

The Louisiana Yambilee is held evey October in Opelousas, La.
at the Yambilee building. You'll Come!

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NOVEMBER


LOUISIANA CRACKLIN FESTIVAL
PORT BARRE, LOUISIANA

November, - 13th annual Cracklin Festival sponsored by the Port Barre Lyons Club, held downtown Port Barre. Events include a cracklin cook-off, beauty pageant, live music, food, crafts and carnival rides! for information call (318) 585-6251.

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DECEMBER 1998

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT OF HOMES TOUR
"Le Tour des Anges" The Tour of Angels
In RAYNE, LOUISIANA
The annual Christmas Candlelight Tour of homes will take place Friday and Saturday from 6 till 9 P.M.. Tickets are on sale at the Rayne Chamber of Commerce for $10:00 each. For more information cal 1-318-334-2332 or call Betty Thevis, chairperson at 318-783-4514 after 5 P.M.



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