On October 24-26, the annual French Food Festival will celebrate its 50th anniversary at the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center. For nearly five decades, this event has taken place in our community. Once again, the annual festival will resume and will be hosted “by the Bayou Civic Club board and community volunteers,” said Larose Regional Park and Civic Center Executive Director Sarah Kelley. There will be Cajun food, live music performances, live auctions, and more.
Kelley listed the various activities that will take place throughout the weekend of the festival’s 50th anniversary celebration and noted that there is no charge for both admission and parking.
The festival will begin on Friday at 5:00 p.m. Food booths will be open, and there will be a live music performance by Kerry Thibodaux Band, followed by Snapper and the Fishsticks from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. “We will have a crown/banner auction for our Jr., Teen, and Miss [Q]ueens as well as our Grand Marshal,” said Kelley. Concluding the night will be a live music performance by Shorts in December from 9:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
On Saturday, The Folklife Exhibit and Art Show will be featured in the gym from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., said Kelley. Food booths will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Live bands will perform intermittently from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. beginning with music by Ryan Foret and the Foret Tradition, followed by Junior Lacrosse. Next, JP Bourgeois will perform, and the final band to conclude the night at 12:00 a.m. will be Chase Tyler.
Sunday’s schedule will begin with a 10:00 a.m. Mass held in the gym and a craft show including local vendors from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the football field. Food booths will be available, and a grand marshal march will take place. A live music performance by Waylon Thibodeaux will be at 11:30 a.m., followed by Benjamin Bruce and the Acadians until the conclusion of the festival at 4:00 p.m.
Kelley shared the following written statement, “The French Food Festival is truly a labor of love! It’s 100% volunteer-run from start to finish. Every shrimp peeled, every pot stirred, and every sweet treat sold is the work of our incredible community. From our seniors cutting fresh ingredients to families running the food and drink booths, each person gives their time and heart to make this festival happen. Our board, staff, and committee work hard organizing the festival to make it amazing each year. All proceeds go right back into the annual operations of the Larose Civic Center, supporting programs and improvements that serve our community year-round. With the festival celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, we couldn’t be prouder of our volunteers and can’t wait to kick off this milestone celebration together.”
For any questions, contact Executive Director Sarah Kelley at 985-693-7355.
The Larose Regional Park and Civic Center is located at 307 East 5th Street in Larose.
Dining and Cooking