Wine and food pairings to flow during Rouge et Blanc

Published 4:36 am Thursday, October 9, 2025

Glasses will be clinking this weekend during the Banner Series’ annual Rouge et Blanc celebration at McNeese State University.

The event — the flagship fundraiser for the arts and cultural program — is set for 3-6 p.m. Saturday.

Wine experts and renowned area chefs — including those from L’Auberge Casino Resort, Coushatta, Villa Harlequin, Luna’s Bar & Grill, Augustines, Salt Revival Oysters, Restaurant Calla, The Mac Box, Paul’s Rib Shack, The Bekery, The Verandah, Nawal’s Kebab House & Grill, Toga Grill, Fontenot Beef, Hi-licious, Coffee:30, Area 337, Main Squeeze Juice Co, Diana’s Cakes Confections & More, Rotolo’s Pizzaria, Red Cardinal Desserts, Big Easy Foods, CAMPP at MSU, 121 Artisan Bistro, Area 337 and Crust Pizza — will be featured.

For more than two decades, nearly 100 percent of the net proceeds from Rouge et Blanc have gone to the featured artists and speakers who not only perform for the series but also visit area schools and libraries ahead of their events.

“Rouge et Blanc supports a robust year-round Banners at McNeese outreach program, making more than 400 free tickets available to students, senior homes, first-responders, and educators during the spring season alone” Randy Partin, assistant director of Banners, has told the American Press. “Proceeds also make it possible to present large-scale daytime school shows to about 2,000 students at a time.”

Rouge et Blanc is a home-grown affair. It began in 2006 as a small fund raiser for the McNeese Banners Series and grew to be the second largest food and wine festival in Louisiana, only behind New Orleans Wine and Food Extravaganza.

For some regular attendees, this event serves as a wine cellar restock, holiday shopping, palette refinement and an enjoyable social outing. Although wine cannot be sold on-site, there is an ordering pavilion for people to make orders in person, or individuals may purchase orders online if they are placed by midnight of the event.

Participants must be 21 and older to attend this event, which will be held rain or shine. Tickets are $150