Festival Masters
There isn’t a state in America that celebrates how Louisiana does. Louisiana is hands down one of the most festive states in the United States. In fact, Louisiana is so festive that there are actually more festivals than days of the year! The people of Louisiana have mastered the art of throwing a festival, and they have the party skills to back it up! In this blog, we are going to give you a detailed guide to all the fun filled festivals in Southeastern Louisiana.
Louisiana is a cultural melting pot. The state takes traditions from the French, Spanish, and Caribbean ways of life. In Louisiana, you can feel the zest for life in the spirits of its inhabitants. Besides Mardi Gras, there are a variety of smaller local festivals around Louisiana. The festivals that happen around Louisiana encapsulate the essence of the communities that live in these areas, so not only will you have a blast, you will also be able to learn about some of the rich culture present in the Southeastern region. So, sit back and enjoy learning about the quirky festivals that pepper Southeast Louisiana!
The Rayne Frog Festival (Rayne, Louisiana)
Starting off strong, we present the Rayne Frog Festival, in Rayne Louisiana! This froggy festival is held each year in June, and is a tribute to the amphibians that spread across this damp town. Our amphibian friends are integral to the Louisiana ecosystem, and this festival! Make sure to wear green as you check out all the fun events you can do at the Rayne Frog Festival. For example, participate in a frog leg eating competition, or play some leapfrog with some friends, and make sure to check out the parade filled with people dressed in frog costumes! Also, expect some awesome live music, fun arts and crafts activities, and lots and lots of delicious Cajun food, just make sure to ask if your gumbo has any frog in it if you are a picky eater!
Rougarou Fest (Houma, Louisiana)
What the heck is a Rougarou? Well, we should probably explain what a Rougarou is before telling you to go to its festival. A Rougarou is basically a swamp werewolf. This mystifying creature is a character from Cajun folklore, it is believed to be a shapeshifter that roams the swamps at night and takes a wolf-humanoid form. Houma, Louisiana celebrates this creature by throwing a festival dedicated to its honor every October. This festival is sort of like a preview of Halloween, festival-goers come out in ‘ghouly’ get ups and participate in fun activities. Here you can expect a costume contest, live music, delicious food, and the opportunity to learn about the elusive Rougarou and all its swampy secrets.
The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta (Zwolle, Louisiana)
Now, when you think of New Orleans, you do not usually think about tamales, but in Zwolle, Louisiana, there is an entire festival dedicated to tasty tamales! The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta is a festival held every September and offers the delicious opportunity to snack on some of the best Tex-Mex style food in Louisiana. Zwolle, has a history with tamales due to it being a mixing pot of a variety of Spanish and Native American cultures. In this festival, you will be able to try endless varieties of delicious tamales, while also learning how to make the perfect tamale! There are also wonderful Latin performers, arts and crafts, and even a jalapeno eating contest for all you hot heads! Be sure to check out the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta and dip into the Tex-Mex side of Louisiana.
The Pecan Pie Contest and Festival (Mound, Louisiana)
In Mound, Louisiana, you can find the most intense pecan pie contest Louisiana has to offer. Seriously, this competition is heated and not a laughing matter, people from all over America gather at this festival to put their pecan prowess to the test. Naturally, the pecan pie festival happens every year around fall, and celebrates the classic pecan pie: A southerner’s favorite dessert. Here, you will find the pecan pie contest where a distinguished panel of pecan experts will judge participants’ pecan pies based on taste, presentation, and quality of pecans. There are also pecan pie baking demonstrations, pecan pie cooking classes, and many more pecan themed activities surrounding this fall festival!
The Oakdale World Championship Hog Calling Contest (Oakdale, LA)
Oink Oink! Calling all the best pig lovers! If you like pigs, then the Oakdale World Championship Hog Calling Contest is the place for you. This festival happens every spring in Oakdale, and here, participants gather to show off just how well they can call a hog! At this festival, contestants from all over America come to give their best hog calls and compete for a cash prize! What exactly is a hog call you ask? Well, it sounds like someone screaming the word “soooooieeeeeee” (soo-wee) really loud. This call is in efforts to recall pigs back to the barn for nighttime. The winner gets judged on their volume and authenticity. The festival also has delicious BBQ, a greased pig race, and pig themed arts and crafts for the kids!
Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival (Cameron, Louisiana)
Down the bayou in the marshlands of Cameron, Louisiana, is the Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival held each January. At this festival, the community comes together to honor the history of traditional hunting that was present in Louisiana’s past. Here you can witness a plethora of activities that surround hunting, game, and survival. This is not a festival for those of faint-hearts or queasy-stomachs, here you can find events such as nutria skinning, crawfish peeling, and alligator wrangling. If you are convinced this is a festival you want to check out, be sure to check the delicious wild game that hunters offer, and try out the delicious food, who knows maybe the vendor caught, cooked, and made everything in your po’boy!
The Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival (Morgan City, Louisiana)
Last but certainly not least, is the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum festival in Morgan city. This festival is thrown every September, and honors the community of Morgan City, who largely work in the petroleum and shrimp industry. The celebration honors those who have dedicated their lives to drilling for oil and digging for shrimp! Here there are delicious shrimp dishes, like po’boys, gumbo, and jambalaya! There is something for everyone at this festival, whether you like petroleum jelly or shrimp and grits.
More than Mardi Gras
As you can see, there is much more than meets the eye in Louisiana when it comes to festivities. While Mardi Gras is our most famous soiree, you would be shocked to discover all the other festivals that don’t get as much spotlight as Mardi Gras. There is so much culture and tradition in Louisiana and with all these festivals we have detailed, you are bound to find something you enjoy. So, try something new and explore the culture and history of Southeastern Louisiana.