As the biggest Cajun festival in Louisiana, the Cajun Music and Food Festival is a three-day extravaganza that takes place in Eunice, La. The festival is held two weeks after Easter each year. Sponsored by the Cajun French Music Association, the festival features local Cajun musicians, and also pays tribute to Cajun culture, dance, and customs. Some of Louisiana's best cooks come to showcase their Cajun cuisine with dishes like jambalaya, seafood po' boys, cracklings, and other Cajun fried foods. Each year, the festival draws nearly 2,000 people.
The Mamou Festival is a notable Cajun music event that comes around each year for Labor Day weekend, the first weekend in September. Mamou, LA, noted as "The Cajun Music Capital," is located in Evangeline Parish. Held in Mamou's all-purpose skating rink facility, the festival comes with daily scheduled events from live Cajun music and bands, to cook-offs and outdoor games for families and children. Band performances from the Cajun Tradition Band, and Cajun musician Steve Riley are scheduled throughout the weekend. Some of the festival's games include the Cajun dizzy dash, wrestling, and beer drinking contest. Admission is free. For information about activities in Mamou, contact the Town of Mamou, 1-337-468-3272 or visit the Mamou Festival website at web.lsue.edu/acadgate/mamou.htm
A 20-year Louisiana tradition, the Marshland Festival is held at the end of each summer, at the Lake Charles Civic Center in Lake Charles, La. The Marshland Festival is one of Louisiana's most popular Cajun festivals, as it draws attention from people near, and far. With more than 15 different band performances, the Marshland Festival offers non-stop musical entertainment for people of all ages. The festival also offers several other scheduled festivities, such as arts and crafts displays, Cajun exhibits, games, and contest. Cajun food booths, showcasing are also available at the festival throughout the entire weekend. For more information, visit the festival website at marshlandfestival.com.
