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Food & Festivals

Music and food are an integral part of the Cajun way of life. This is evidenced by the many festivals held in the region with entertainment provided by Cajun music and irresistible food.

Although there’s a festival somewhere every weekend in Acadiana, Lafayette’s two main festivals represent both the Cajun culture and its international influences. And, of course, each festival has a food component, so you won’t go hungry while dancing the day and night away.

Started in 1972 as an effort to keep Cajun culture alive, Festivals Acadiens et Creoles has grown into a free three-day festival in October, attracting people of many different nationalities from all over the world. Festivals Acadiens et Creoles features some of the finest Cajun, Creole and Zydeco musicians around.

The festival is held in Girard Park and also offers authentic Cajun and Creole cooking, rich cultural heritage and art components, with the Bayou Food Festival, Louisiana Craft Fair and Louisiana Fold Roots held in conjunction with the music. Visit festivalsacadiens.com for more information.

Festival International de Louisiane is a free five-day international festival held every April in downtown Lafayette. The festival brings together some of the most talented artists from around the world in celebration of the French cultural heritage of southern Louisiana, primarily a combination of French, African, Caribbean and Hispanic influences. Each year, performing visual and culinary artists from Europe, Africa, Canada, the Caribbean and the Americas are invited to share their talents with Louisiana artists, residents and visitors.

Since its creation, Festival International de Louisiane has become famous as a premier presenter of some of the most unique world musicians and performances in the United States. Popular Louisiana artists such as Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Irma Thomas, D.L. Menard, Terrance Simien, Marc Broussard and Marcia Ball have all performed on stages at the festival. For more information, call the festival office at (337) 232-8086 or go online to festivalinternational.com.

MARDI GRAS

A Louisiana tradition, Lafayette has its own style of Mardi Gras, which is the second-largest in the state. The Mardi Gras season features parades, balls, masking and more, most in a family friendly atmosphere. Krewes begin gearing up for the season months in advance, as do the Lafayette and independent Mardi Gras associations. The festivities kick off each year with the Friday night parade and Le Festival de Mardi Gras ˆ Lafayette at Cajun Field and continue through Fat Tuesday. Surrounding towns all have their own version of Mardi Gras as well, from the courirs (runs) in the countryside to Eunice’s La Grande Boucherie. For more information on Lafayette Mardi Gras, go to lafayette.travel

Other Area Festivals Combining Music and Food:

- Rice Capital Championship Gumbo Cook-Off January, Crowley

- Washington Catfish Festival March, Washington

- Cajun Hot Sauce Festival April, New Iberia

- Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival May, Breaux Bridge

- Opelousas Spice & Music Festival June, Opelousas

- Erath 4th of July Celebration July, Erath

- Gueydan Duck Festival August, Gueydan

- Delcambre Shrimp Festival August, Delcambre

- Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival September, Morgan City

- Rayne Frog Festival September, Rayne

- Louisiana Cajun Food Festival October, Kaplan