Lake Charles

The third annual Louisiana Food and Wine Festival (September 18-21) brings foodies, oenophiles and cocktail enthusiasts to Lake Charles for a chance to hobnob with celebrity chefs and pitmasters, winemakers and distillers at a variety of revered tasting events. A new VIP Experience provides early access to Saturday afternoon’s Grand Tasting and a separate tent with exclusive beverage and culinary tastings. Held outdoors with live music along scenic Bord du Lac, highlights include top Louisiana chefs preparing signature dishes at tasting stations and cooking demonstrations, unlimited beverage tastings and the People’s Choice Best Taste Awards presented by Acadiana Profile and Louisiana Seafood. Also new this year: Louisiana’s Best Taste Awards and VIP reception, an interactive evening with food and beverage tasting stations and a VIP Reception providing early access and a chance to meet celebrity chefs, winemakers and judges presenting the awards. The four-day festival culminates with a lavish Sunday jazz brunch.

Evangeline Parish | New Rules for Trail Rides

A new ordinance setting specific guidelines for trail ride organizers in Evangeline Parish was recently passed by the Evangeline Police Jury. The ordinance defines a trail ride as a gathering of 50-1,000 horseback riders, or any paid, organized-for-profit group following a planned route on horseback. Requirements include at least two sheriffs per 100 riders.

Lafayette | Ingenuity Flows with Zydeco

Francis Pavy’s vibrant “Two Dancers” image was selected for the cover of a newly recorded single (7” vinyl) of Clifton Chenier’s signature tune, “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” by The Rolling Stones. Released by Smithsonian Folkways, Arhoolie and Valcour Records, the record will benefit the all-new Clifton Chenier Memorial Scholarship fund at UL Lafayette, offering annual financial assistance to students studying zydeco accordion. Mick Jagger sings the iconic single entirely in French, bringing a rock ‘n’ roll vibe to the zydeco classic.

Youngsville | Food and Martial Arts Combo

Downtown Açaí café (from the proprietors of Gracie Jiu Jitsu next door) is taking over a space that’s connected to the owners’ existing fitness business. Serving as a wellness-focused addition to the Church Street corridor, combining fitness and nutrition under one roof, the new café that is underway will offer fresh, healthful food options with a menu focusing on açaí bowls, pitaya bowls, superfood smoothies and energy drinks.

Agenda

August 2 | Sugarland Music & Arts Festival

Both professional and student musicians perform 14 hours of continuous live music on two stages, an Arts and Artisans Market, local food trucks, cooking tents and a family fun zone in Napoleonville.

August 13-17 | Delcambre Shrimp Festival

Celebrate generations of shrimping families and Acadiana’s seafood heritage with parades, pageants, Cajun food, a shrimp cook-off, live music, fais-do-dos, carnival rides and the revered Fisherman’s Mass followed by the annual Blessing of the Fleet.

August 21-24 | Gueydan Duck Festival

Hunters eager for the season to start head to the Gueydan Duck Festival for the duck and goose calling contests, skeet shoot contests, competitive dog trials and outdoor cooking contests with live music, carnival rides and a parade as lagniappe.

August 28-September 1 | Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival

This Morgan City festival features a children’s village, art shows, live music, parades, a museum showcasing diving history, an actual oil rig, fireworks over the river and the coveted Petro Pit.

August 30 | Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival

This Opelousas festival draws fans from afar to experience the annual lineup of multigenerational hitmakers performing zydeco favorites that get fans dancing, energized by Creole and Cajun cuisine.

September 5-6 | Treasures on the Bayou

Formerly the Tawasi Antiques and Art Show, this festival brings antique and art dealers from throughout the U.S. to Thibodaux. The 47th annual show includes furniture, silver, glass, porcelain, jewelry, linen, maps and more.

September 18 | One Hundred Years of Clifton Chenier featuring C.J. Chenier

Presented by AcA, C.J. Chenier (who assumed leadership of his father’s Red Hot Louisiana Band) celebrates the 100th birthday of the legendary King of Zydeco with a cast of special guests, friends and collaborators at Lafayette’s James D. Moncus Theater.

September 19-21 | Hero Fest

Grab your cowboy hat and head to Hero Fest in support of the brave, dedicated first responders with a weekend celebration that includes food, games and a diverse lineup of stadium headliners including Craig Martin in Houma’s Civic Center.

September 24 | Ben Folds & A Piano

PASA presents the Emmy-nominated, genre-bending singer-songwriter performing some of his past and current hits from chart-topping pop albums, multiple solo albums and collaborative releases in Lafayette’s Heymann Performing Arts Center.

September 26-28 | The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival

New Iberia celebrates the sugar cane industry with a grand parade, Cajun and zydeco music, sugar cookery, a car show, horticulture show, artist competitions and a carnival.