2009 Cajun Festival Lineup
AUGUST
Duck Festival
Sept 3rd-4th
Location: Gueydan
Info Link: http://www.duckfestival.org
The Duck Festival is held yearly in the cajun town of Gueydan. The Duck festival kicks off the cajun festival season. There are alot of fun events and features at the festival including a skeet shooting contest , an outdoor cookoff , and a goose and duck calling contest. There is also a grand parade associated with the festival on Saturday and begins at 9 a.m.
The festival also always offers an array of live music throughout the event. Playing this year are some great cajun and local artist like Jaryd Lane , Jamie Bargeron and Kickin’ Cajuns, Travis Matte , and Geno Delafose. If your in the Gueydan area and looking for a good time then the Duck Festival is a must attend event.
SEPTEMBER
Plaisance Zydeco Music Festival
Sept 3rd-5th
Location: Opelousas
Info Link: http://www.zydeco.org
This is one of the premier music festivals in cajun country. The Zydeco festival is held every year in the town of Opelousas. This festival offers a great time for all but especially for zydeco and cajun music lovers offering some great workshops and a presentation on the history of Zydeco music and even some lessons on Zydeco music dancing.
There is a extremely talented lineup of musical entertainment at this years festival including JJ Callier , Geno Delafose, LiL’ Nathan, Chubby Carrier, Feufollet and Chris Ardoin among others. Its a gurantee that this will be a party cajun style so if your in the area be sure to stop on by.
Lafayette Reggae and Cultural Festival
Sept 5th-6th
Location: Carencro
Info Link: http://www.lafayettereggaefest.com
This is another one of the great music cultural festivals in cajun country. The Reggae and Cultrual festival is held every year in Carencro. This festival offers some great music along with alot of cultural booths and a great time.
This year has a showcase of some great music on tap including Zema and Inner Visions, Dr King Cobra and Wazobia, True Spirit, Grandation , and Trueman Posse. It as always will be a great time !
Sugar Cane Festival
Sept 23rd-27th
Location: New Iberia
Info Link: http://www.hisugar.org
The sugar cane festival is one of the more well known festivals in the heart of cajun country. It is held every year in the town of New Iberia. This festival always offers an array of excitement including nights of dancing in the streets of downtown New Iberia and tons of booths offering cajun cooking and many other items.
There will be some great music offered this year to keep everyone dancing and partying for days. Things will kick off friday night with Andy Smith Band and Bag of Donuts and will continue on saturday with Soul and Broken Meauxjo. As always the festival is sure to be a great time.
OCTOBER
Germanfest
Oct. 3rd-4th
Location: Roberts Cove.
Info Link: http://www.robertscovegermanfest.com
This is a festival most would not expect to find in the heart of cajun country. The Germanfest is held every year in the community of Roberts Cove. Roberts Cove is a cummunity with great German roots going back many many years. Germanfest brings the spirit of Octoberfest to the cajun heartland and adds a little flavor to the cajun festival lineup.
Germanfest always offers a great mix of German food , music , and a glimpse into there deep culture. This is always one of the most electric festivals of the season and a must see for anyone in the area looking to have a great time.
Louisiana Cattle Festival
Oct. 8th-11th
Location: Abbeville
Info Link: http://www.louisianacattlefestival.org
The Louisiana Cattle Festival is a celebration of the Cattle Industry in southwest Louisiana. The festival is held every year in the town of Abbeville. The festival offers some great activities such as a livestock showings and judgings, a beef cookoff , and many booths offering an array of great food and street fair. There is also a grand parade for the festival on saturday.
The festival also features a cajun Fais-do-do ! There is as always a great lineup of music on tap for the festival including Beau Young , Geno Delafose, Richard LeBoef, and T.K. Hulin. There will also be some great events for the kids on sunday including a parade and Gospel Extravaganza. This festival as always will offer a great time for the whole family.
Festivals Acadiens et Creoles
Oct. 9th – 11th
Location: Lafayette
Info Link: http://www.festivalsacadiens.com
This is one of the bigger festivals held in cajun country. It once again brings the festival atmosphere back to the town of Lafayette. This festival offers a wide array of activities that celebrates the cajun and creole cultures. Events and activities will include Louisiana Folk Roots workshops and demonstrations , arts and craft shows and displays, a cajun/creole food festival , and tons of great cajun music.
There is a excellent lineup of music on tap for this years festival including some great cajun acts like Nathan Williams , Feufollet , Jimmy Breaux, Balfa Toujours on saturday night and it continues into sunday with Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Bonsoir Catin , Cedric Watson, and WAYNE TOOPS. So if your dancing shoes are itching to move then get on down to the festival.
Pepper Festival
Oct 18th
Location:Â St Martinville
Info Link: http://www.stmartinkiwanis.org/pepperfestival
This is just a one day festival but it overs alot of spice as it name indicates. The Pepper Festival is held every year in the town of St Martinville. The festival celebrates a well known theme of cajun country “Pepper”. The festival offers some very entertaining events like a pepper eating contest , locan dance school performance , and some great games and crafts for the whole family. There will also as always be some great cajun food on hand , just watchj out for the spice lol.
There will be some great music on stage including Geno Delafose and Nik-L-Beer to keep everyone dancing and the party going. So be sure to stop on by the Pepper Festival for a Hot time.
Rice Festival
Oct. 22nt – 24th
Location: Crowley
Info Link: http://www.ricefestival.com
The Rice Festival is another cajun festival celebrating one of the most well known South Louisiana industries. The festival is held every year in the town of Crowley. This is one of the bigger cajun festivals and offers alot of great activities including a street fair , a great parade, alot of great booths offering cajun food and drink. The festival offers a look into the Rice Industy of louisiana offering a look into its history and impact on the state.
The Rice Festival also always offers a great variety of music ranging from Cajun and Zydeco to country and rock n roll. If your hitting the festival trail this season then this is a must stop along the way.
Yambilee Festival
Oct. 22nt-25th
Location: Opelousas
Info Link: http://www.yambilee.com
The Yambilee festival is dedicated to the celebration of the Yam. The festival is held every year in the town of Opelousas. The festival as always is once again offering a great array of activities including a parade , a carnival , various food competitions, many different arts and crafts booths, and also a battle of the bands.
The festival always produces a great mix of music including Cajun , Zydeco, Country, and Rock-n-Roll. So if your looking to have one “Sweet” time then be sure to hit the Yambilee Fest.
Blackpot Festival
Oct. 30th-31st
Location: Lafayette
Info Link:Â Not Available
This is one of the newer festivals on the scene offering a look into the new and old cultures of Cajun Country. The festival is held in the town of Lafayette at Acadiana Village. Festival goers are allowed to camp out of the Acadiana Village ground throughout the festival. The festival celebrates the mixing of the old and new of cajun culture. The festival offers some great activities including a blackpot cookoff , an accordion playing contest, and tons of great cajun food and music.
There is a great list of music ontap for this years festival including Red Stick Ramblers , The Pine Leaf Boys, Horace Trahan, and The Lost Bayou Ramblers. There is a great mix of younger and older cajun musicians carrying on the great music traditions of cajun country. Be sure to stop on by and get in on the great toe tapping action.
NOVEMBER
Giant Omelette Festival
Nov. 7th-9th
Location: Abbeville
Info Link: Not Available
As the festival trail runs into November its then time for the Giant Omelette Festival. The Omelette festival is held every year in the town of Abbeville. The festival offers a great list of activites and one very very large 5,000 egg Omelette. Activities include an arts and crafts show, a 2-mile walk through the historic town of Abbeville , a tour of historic homes within the city , and a tractor “egg cracking” game. This festival offers a chace to take a real close look at one of the most historic cajun country towns up close and personal.
Along with a great look at the city there will also be a great array of music offered including cajun and country. If your interested in learning and seeing some up close history of the Cajun people then this is the festival for you.
Frog Festival
Nov. 12th-14th
Location: Rayne
Info Link: http://www.raynefrogfestival.org
This is another one of the long running and fun events on the festival trail. The festival is held every year in the town of Rayne which is known as the “Frog caipatal” of the world. The festival is offering some great activities including a 5K Run, a great carnival , and a 3-day arts and crafts fair with more then 60 vendors on hand, and a frog jumping contest. There is also many booths on hand offering some great cajun cousine to go along with the very festive atmosphere.
This year like in the past the festival brings with in a great list of live music including Kira Viator, KrossFyre, Jaryd Lane, Jamie Bergeron and Kickin Cajuns, Geno Delafose, and also a special appearence by Bad Company !  This gurantee’s to be a great time !
September 2nd, 2009 by Ragin Cajun /
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