Southwest Louisiana Festivals & Fun

From Mardi Gras revelry through Christmas parades, Southwest Louisiana offers a year of fun. Traditional Mardi Gras festivities in Vinton, Iowa and Jennings include chicken runs and gumbo suppers. The Black Heritage Festival and McNeese Banners Series highlight spring in Calcasieu Parish. Contraband Days, Red, White, Blue and You, Cajun Food and Music Festival and Celtic Nations Festival liven up Lake Charles. The Coushatta Pow Wow in Allen Parish is a ‘don’t miss’ event. In Beauregard Parish, catch the Hickory Creek Civil War battle reenactment, Merryville Heritage Days, Watermelon Festival, and Cherokee Nation’ Pow Wow. Jeff Davis Parish hosts a Mardi Gras Cajun Squeeze Box Shootout and annual Stearman Fly In. And each December, Sulphur welcomes the Christmas season with real snow! Visit the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau website at www.visitlakecharles.org throughout the year for updates and details.


ALLEN PARISH

February
Allen Parish Mardi Gras. Traditional and contemporary parade and festivities begin the first weekend prior to Ash Wednesday and build to the grand finale on Fat Tuesday.
Feb. 4 – Soileau Mardi Gras Trail Ride - Soileau

April
April 10 - Kinder Chamber of Commerce 4th Annual Golf Tournament - Kinder
April 19 --Trottingbred Racing, Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau

May
May 2 - 4 - Spring Festival, Scared Heart Catholic Church, Oakdale
May 3 & 11 - Trottingbred Racing, Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau

June
June 14 & 28 - Trottingbred Racing, Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau

July
July 12 & 26 - Trottingbred Racing, Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau

August
Aug 4 & 23 - Trottingbred Racing, Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau
Aug. 31 – St. Joan of Arc Bazaar, Oberlin

September
Sept. 6 & 20 -- Trottingbred Racing, Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau
Sept. 13 – Miss Allen Parish Pageant
Sept. 17 - 20 - Allen Parish Fair, Music, rides, and food booths are highlighted with the stock show and rodeo. Family entertainment for parents and children alike. Oberlin
Sept. 27 - Grand Opening of Leatherwood Museum. 202 E. 7th Ave. Oakdale
Sept 26 - 27 -- Old Time Plow Days. Take a trip to the past! The event features Belgian plow horses, mules, food, and stagecoach rides. Bring the family and watch the past in action. Mittie
Sept 26 - 27 -- Allen Parish Airport Fly-In. Experimental airplanes, plane rides for the children, music and good food will be on hand for a real family, fun-filled event. Allen Parish Airport

October
Oct. 3- 4 -- Coushatta Pow Wow. Porcupine Head Roaches, Eagle Feathers, Native American songs, Women's Traditional and Men's Fancy are all ingredients of the Coushatta Pow-Wow. Come and enjoy the many flavors of the Coushatta culture. Kinder.
Oct. 4 & 18 -- Trottingbred Racing, Metro Soileau Downs, Soileau
Oct. 11- 12 – St. Philip Neri Catholic Church Fall Festival, Kinder
TBA -- King's Farm Fall Festival & Auction, Kinder

December
TBA -- Christmas In The Park, Reeves
TBA -- 4rd United Pentecostal Christmas Bazaar, Oakdale
Dec 1 - 31 -- King's Farm UPC Festival of Lights, Kinder
Dec 1 -- Lights In The Country, Elizabeth
Dec 6 -- Christmas In The Country Trail Ride & Parade, Elizabeth
Dec. 6 -- Kinder's Christmas In The Park, Kinder
Dec. 13 -- Christmas on Main Street with Sounds of the Season and Fireworks Display, Oakdale
Dec 13 -- Grant Christmas Tree Farm Events, Grant
TBA -- Hayride Under the Lights

For Allen Parish updates throughout the year, go to www.allenparish.com

BEAUREGARD PARISH

Every Month
Pinehill Trade Days- Large indoor/outdoor market. A variety of old, new, collectibles and antique items. Pinehill Trade Days are held the last weekend before the first Monday of every month at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds.

February
TBA -- Battle of Hickory Creek. Civil War Re-enactment of battles and skirmishes between the Union and Confederate forces that opened the door to the 1864 Red River Campaign.
Feb. 28 -- First Black Heritage Festival. Time and location TBA.

March
March 27 – 28 -- Merryville Living Heritage Festival. This two-day festival is the area's only free community-wide cultural event. The festival features theater, folk life, music, dance and fine art, which demonstrates the unique cultural heritage of Louisiana's "No Man's Land” area

April
April 3-4 -- DeRidder Lions Club Pro Rodeo. Beauregard Parish Covered Arena Hwy 190 West
April 4 – 5 -- Louisiana Doll Festival. If you love dolls, the place to be on April 4-5 is in DeRidder, home of the Lois Loftin Doll Museum. The collection of over 3,000 dolls, donated to the Beauregard Tourist Commission in 1996, is located in the Beauregard Museum. The festival will include doll appraisers and a doll show, as well as live entertainment and activities for the kids. It will be held at
the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds in DeRidder.
TBA -- The Four Winds Pow Wow-The Annual Pow-Wow of the Four Winds Tribe, Louisiana Cherokee Confederacy will take place at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds.

May
TBA -- Treasure Fest. A bargain hunters dream! Sponsored by the City of DeRidder and Beauregard Tourist Commission, Treasure Fest is a one-spot yard sale held under the tall pines along the one-mile walking trail in DeRidder's West Park. Trash or treasure? You decide at Treasure Fest.

June
TBA-- Juneteenth Celebration. This year will mark the 144th anniversary of the end of slavery. Each year, community organizations come together to commemorate the celebration with events throughout the month of June.
June 26 – 28 (tentative) -- Beauregard Parish Watermelon Festival, Home of the Sugartown Watermelon, Beauregard Parish will celebrate the taste of the season with the parish's annual Watermelon Festival at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds for watermelon games and events, as well as live music and entertainment. Taste some of the sweetest watermelons in Louisiana!

September
TBA -- Beauregard Museum Hispanic Day. Downtown DeRidder.


October
Beauregard Parish Fair-The 80th Beauregard Parish Fair will take place the first week in October at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds. One of the oldest agricultural fairs in the state, it includes a carnival, exhibits, food and live bands.
Oct. 17 - Ragley Heritage and Timber Festival. Presentations on pioneers of the area, history of the formation of the town and founding families. Includes arts and crafts, food booths and live music by gospel and bluegrass bands.
TBA -- The Four Winds PowWow. Louisiana Cherokee Confederacy at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds. A unique opportunity to experience the culture of Louisiana's American Indians.

November
TBA -- DeRidder Gem and Mineral Show. The DeRidder Gem and Mineral Show offers some of the best-hidden treasures in Louisiana. Minerals, gemstones, jewelry, Indian artifacts and florescent minerals will be displayed and available for purchase, including the elusive Louisiana opal.
Nov 28 (tentative date) -- Christmas in the Park. Each year West Park is turned into a Winter Wonderland with thousands of Christmas lights, snow village, Santa's Workshop and nativity scene. Visitors can enjoy a train ride, cup of hot chocolate, popcorn, and hotdogs, while waiting to see Santa Claus. Christmas in the Park is sponsored by the Beauregard Women's Organizations.

December
Dec 9-- Miracle on Washington Christmas Festival. Enjoy a dazzling Christmas Celebration with a downtown Christmas Festival, parades, the Kansas City Southern Holiday Express Train, unique shopping and much more.

For Beauregard Parish updates throughout the year, go to www.beauparish.org .

CALCASIEU

January
Jan. 6 - Jan. 31 – Mardi Gras SWLA. From 12th Night to the last parade, highlights and schedules for Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana can be found at www.swlamardigras.com.
Jan. 30 – 31 -- Western Heritage Days. Kicks off livestock show and rodeo! The trail ride begins south of Iowa at 8 a.m. on the 30th. On the 31st at the Brick House: Cook-off, trail riders, pony rides, Coushatta dancers, country western dance demonstration, petting zoo and much more! Rodeo parade begins at Ryan and Pine Sts. at 3 p.m.

February
Feb. 1 – 24 - Mardi Gras SWLA. From 12th Night to the last parade, highlights and schedules for Mardi Gras in Southwest Louisiana can be found at www.swlamardigras.com.
Feb. 3 –7 - Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo. Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles. Don’t miss "The greatest show on dirt," -- the Annual Southwest District Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Feb. 14 –15 – SWLA Horse Expo at CalCam Arena. Meet speakers, vendors, clinicians and organizations that will inform, entertain and educate. Dressage by La Bocage Stables, Kids Korral, Horseman’s Challenge, Cowboy Church, and more!
TBA -- Kossa Indian Dancers. Kossa Plaza, 121 E. Napoleon St, Sulphur. A colorful pageant of Native American Dances. They perform in their own theatre, which resembles a pueblo, housing prints and artifacts crafted by Native Americans.

March
March 6 - 7 -- Black Heritage Festival. Lake Charles Civic Center/Downtown Lake Charles. If you’re hungry for mouthwatering food, terrific music and great family fun, then this is the place for you. Entertainers perform gospel, zydeco, blues, spoken word and more on the Kids and Main Stages. There are approximately 70 vendors displaying and selling a wide variety of goods and services. New for 2009: Car Show, 5K Walk, Parade, and Jazz on the Lake.
March 14, 23-28 – 2009 SWLA District Senior Games. Sports event for seniors 50 and older. Golf, pistol and rifle shooting, beanbag baseball, bowling, track and field and archery. Various locations; call 721-4020 for more information.
March 20-22 – Iowa Rabbit Festival. Hop on over to Lawrence Troups Memorial Park in Iowa for rabbit shows, a cook-off, live bands, the Miss Bunny Pageant, and so much more.
March 28 - 29, Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival. Sat. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Burton Coliseum, McNeese State University, Lake Charles. A fabulous district flower show, plant health clinics and Garden Talk, along with plants and produce for sale.

April

April 9-11 - Louisiana Railroad Days Festival. DeQuincy Railroad Museum, DeQuincy.
April 17-19 - Spring Fest and Civil War Reenactment. Niblett’s Park, Vinton.
April 18 - Senior Games Archery Competition. SPAR Carlyss Park. Calcasieu Council on Aging.
April 24 25 -- Westlake Family Fun and Food Festival. St. John Bosco Church. Fri. 5 - 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Games, food booths and activities. Bingo, a live auction and entertainment.
April 29 - May 10 -- Contraband Days. Lake Charles Civic Center. It's Southwest Louisiana's biggest and longest festival. It’s also an extravaganza of lights, color, sound and people of every kind- from buccaneers to bikers to funnel cake makers. Come relax and enjoy while you watch the lighted boat parade on the lake. Other events include biker rallies, car show, helicopter rides, amusement rides, live bands, children's shows and fireworks displays. Watch the mayor walk the plank!

May

May 14-16 - Starks Mayhaw Festival, corner of Hwy. 109and 12, Starks
May 15 - June 5 --Downtown at Sundown. Downtown Lake Charles. Each show will feature a variety of music with different bands.
May 22-23 – Sulphur Heritage Festival, Henning Museum, Sulphur.

June
June 1-29 -- Catch - A – Concert. Lake Charles Community Band, 7-8:30 p.m. Mondays. Lake Charles Civic Center- Arcade Pavilion. Free outdoor concert in the park. Band performs a variety of music- Sousa marches, traditional and folk music, Broadway, movies, and TV show tunes.
June 19-20 – Juneteenth Celebration. Lake Charles Civic Center. Commemorating the end of slavery in the US, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the event in the country. There will be food, music and events for the whole family.

July
July 4 -- Red, White, Blue, and You. Lake Charles Civic Center Seawall. Celebrate everything that's great about being an American! Apple pie, parades, patriotism and especially fireworks! On the lake front, downtown Lake Charles.
July 4 -- Firecracker Futurity & Derby Night. Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel. The road to the All-American goes through Vinton, Louisiana. Delta Downs hosts the Grade II Firecracker Futurity and the Grade II Firecracker Derby.
July 18-19 Cajun French Music Festival. Good food, good music and family fun are the highlights of this annual festival celebrating Cajun music.

August
Aug. 1-2 – Marshland Festival. Lake Charles Civic Center. Offering live entertainment, food, games, arts and crafts and more, this fundraiser for the community of Hackberry helps their youth to be able to participate in sporting events and youth organizations at local, state and national levels.

September
Sept. 12 – La Famillia Festival. Lake Charles Civic Center.
Sept. 18-20 - Cajun Bon Temps Festival, St. Theresa Catholic Church, Carlyss.
Sept. 27 -- Calca-Chew Food Festival. St. Margaret Family Center, Lake Charles. The music is really French, as is the food. Enjoy!

October

Oct. 10 – Vinton Heritage Festival. Horridge and Center Sts., Vinton.
Oct. 15 – Women’s Fall Conference. Lake Charles Civic Center.
Oct. 31-- Trunk or Treat. First Baptist Church, Lake Charles. A fun, safe environment for all ages with candy, games, pictures, hotdogs, Jolly Jump and more.

November
Nov TBA -- Mistletoe and Moss Holiday Market. Presented each year by the Junior League of Lake Charles. Civic Center.
Nov. 19-20. Moss Bluff Harvest Festival.

December
Dec. 4- 5 -- Sulphur's Holiday House. Henning Cultural Center, Sulphur. Glittering jewelry, mouth-watering treats, ornaments, home decorations, trendy fashions and more will be on hand to usher in the month of December.
Dec. 1– 31 -- Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival. Enjoy Christmas parades, lights, and all the festivities that make December such a great time of year.

JEFF DAVIS PARISH

January
Jan. 10 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Jan. 31 ~ Freddie Pate’s Jamboree , Strand Theatre, 7 p.m. For advanced seat reservations call (337) 779-2343. www.freddiepate.com

February
Feb. 7 - Relay For Life Mardi Gras Ball - Lake Arthur Community Center - 7 p.m. For more information call (337) 774-3675.
Feb. 13 - Grand Marais Mardi Gras Ball -Call (337) 616-8843 for more info.
Feb. 14 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park .7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Feb. 14 - Lake Arthur Mardi Gras Parade. Call (337) 774-3675 for more info.
Feb. 21 -- Cajun Squeeze Box Shootout. Strand Theatre. Fourth Annual World Cajun accordion championship during Jennings Mardi Gras. General Admission $5. For more info, call Polly Henry at (337) 821-5532.
Feb. 21 Jennings Mardi Gras Festival & Parade. The 17th Annual parade begins at 4:30 p.m. on north Main Street. Immediately following is live entertainment by T. Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers in Founders Park. For more information, call (337) 821-5532.

March
March 14 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

April
April 4 -- Jennings Lion's Club Poker Run. Call Kathy Broussard at (337) 616-8120 for more info.
April 5 -- The Thelma Richard Drama Showcase. Strand Theatre.
April 11 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

May
May 9 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
May 23 -- U.S. Open Clay Shoot Championship. Cajun Elite Shooting Club.

June
June 7-8 -- CHIPS Youth Theatre annual production.
June 14 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park at 7 a.m.

July
July 3 -- Stars & Stripes Celebration & Fireworks. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. Gates open at 4 p.m. Water fun for the kids, food, fireworks and live entertainment for all.
July 11 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park at 7 a.m.

August
August 8 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park at 7 a.m.

September
Sept. 6 - Roastin' w/Rosie Bar-b-que Festival Queen's Pageant. Strand Theatre. Call (337) 824-5636 for details.
Sept. 11–12 - Second annual Roastin’ with Rosie Bar-b-que Festival. Grand Marais Courtyard, N. Lake Arthur Ave. (formerly Stine Lumber). Live entertainment, good food & great fun for all ages. For more information, call (337) 821-5534 or www.jeffdavis.org .
Sept. 12 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park . 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

October
Oct. 1–3 -- Jeff Davis Parish Fair. Fairgrounds, Hwy. 26 South.
Oct. 2-3 -- End of Season Stearman Fly-In. Jennings Airport grounds.
Oct. 10 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 -- Jennings Alive. Historic downtown Main Street. An open air market for tons of fun, shopping and great food for the entire family.
Oct. 29 --Main Street Trick or Treat. Downtown Main Street is closed off for local children up to 12 years old to safely trick or treat. Area businesses and local residents are invited to come to Main Street to hand out goodies to the little ghosts & goblins. Each year a costume contest takes place in Founders Park.

November
Nov. 14 – Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nov. 20-21 - Girls’ Shopping Weekend. Early Christmas shopping comes to Jeff Davis Parish. This Girls Only Weekend includes lodging, pampering and more fun than you can imagine. Rise early and board the Party Bus Express & let the fun & shopping begin. Get your girlfriends, sisters & Moms together & sign up early. Limited accommodations. For more info, call (337) 821-5521.
Nov. 20-21 - The Jeff Davis Business Alliance annual shop early for Christmas promotion. Features Alliance members offering special sales promotions and refreshments for shoppers. Entertainment in Founders Park, includes Santa Paws and an assortment of local crafters. For more info, call (337)824-0933.
Nov. 20 - Dec 31 -- W.H. Tupper Museum Christmas Exhibit. 311 N. Main Street. Step back in time. See trees decorated with 1940’s Christmas ornaments from the Tupper family store. Also, see toys that were given as gifts to the children of that era. The Old Magnolia Room is converted to a Winter Wonderland with snow villages, dolls, bears, trains, trees and more.

December
Dec. 5 -- Christmas Parade & Festival. 5: 30 p.m. Main Street & Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. See Santa & Mrs. Clause arrive in Jennings on a City fire truck. Immediately following the parade, join the merriment at the Louisiana Oil & Gas Park for a huge bonfire, Christmas caroling, food and a gigantic fireworks display.
Dec. 5 -- 11th Annual Christmas Festival Gumbo Cook-Off. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 4:30 p.m. Judging for cash prizes & trophies. Sample some of the best chicken & sausage gumbo made in the area. Then join the Christmas Festival. No admission fee.
Dec. 12 -- Second Saturday Flea Market. Louisiana Oil & Gas Park. 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dec. 12 -- Sounds of Christmas. Strand Theatre. 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. The annual community Christmas musical features live performances of traditional Christmas selections by local talent and special guests.