Spring Festivities in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

At the epicenter of Louisiana’s rich cultural history sits St. Martin Parish, “Where Cajun Began.” Renowned for its vibrant Cajun and Creole influences, visitors are greeted with warm hospitality and a diverse array of experiences. Explore charming towns like Breaux Bridge, the crawfish capitol of the world, St. Martinville, the home of Evangeline, and Henderson, the gateway to the Atchafalaya. 

Immerse yourself in the area’s fascinating history at attractions like the picturesque St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church and the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the parish’s abundant waterways, such as the Atchafalaya Basin, one of America’s largest swamps, or Lake Martin, both perfect for kayaking, birdwatching, and swamp tours. Food lovers can indulge in mouthwatering Cajun and creole cuisines like gumbo, and crawfish etouffee at local restaurants and eateries. With its lively festivals, including the world-renowned Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, and its vibrant music scene highlighted by toe-tapping Zydeco and Cajun tunes, St. Martin Parish promises an unforgettable Louisiana experience. 

Buck Barras Memorial Foundation Potato Cook-off & Corn Hole Tournament – March 2  

Established in 2021 in memory of Buck Barras, a beloved community member known for his backyard potato cooks, the foundation provides scholarships to local children who have lost a parent. In just two years, the event helped raise over $75,000 and awarded scholarships to more than 40 children. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, featuring live music, raffles, auctions, and, of course, potato tasting. Around 40 teams will serve up their unique spin on at least 15 pounds of potatoes throughout the event. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy great food and fun while supporting a great cause.  
Heartstrings and Angel Wings Gumbo Cook-off – March 9 
Heartstrings and Angel Wings will host their 14th Annual Gumbo Cookoff on March 9. The organization was formed in honor of Heath Logan, a Breaux Bridge area premature baby related to some of our founding members. The gumbo cook-off is a fundraiser to help the organization purchase micro preemie clothing that is not readily available, hard to find, and expensive. The annual Heartstrings and Angel Wings Gumbo Cook-Off is a fun, family-friendly opportunity to celebrate this gesture of compassion while helping to support the cause—and to taste some of the best gumbo in St. Martin while you’re at it. About 30 teams are expected to bring their best concoctions to simmer in this year’s competition. Categories are divided into chicken and sausage or seafood.  

Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival – March 16 

The Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival is a vibrant celebration of Cajun culture and history. At the event guests can experience a delicious display of Cajun food demonstrations, live music, dancing, and a re-enactment of the arrival of the Acadians, as recounted by the acting troupe Theatre Cadien and depicted on the mural The Arrival of the Acadians in Louisiana. The festival welcomes all attendees to volunteer and come dressed in Cajun costumes. 

Hangin’ on the Bayou Car and Truck Show – March 16  
Join the St. Martinville Kiwanis Club for the seventh annual Hangin’ on the Bayou Car and Truck Show on March 16, at the Cade Community Center. Indulge in mouthwatering Louisiana shrimp and pork jambalaya, along with hamburgers, hot dogs, and more. As you enjoy the event, don’t forget to bring a toy donation for Shriners Hospital, which the St. Martinville Kiwanis Club will collect at the gate.

Cycle Zydeco – April 3-7  

Cycle Zydeco is a four-day casual touring ride in South Louisiana. This festival on wheels offers mouthwatering Cajun cuisine, live music, and scenic flat roads. Participants can choose from two daily route options, with the main route around 38 miles and the long route at 62.14 miles or more. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Acadiana, the birthplace of Zydeco, and enjoy unique attractions such as brewery tours and swamp tours. 

Parks Cracklin’ Cook-off Festival – April 5-6  

Established in 1976, the Parks Cracklin’ Cook-off began as a simple cook-off among a group of men in the Parks Community. It has now evolved into a full-fledged weekend festival featuring live music, delicious cracklins, great food, cold beer, arts and crafts, and fun jumps for kids. Experience authentic Louisiana Southern cuisine and witness teams competing to create the best cracklin’ using their secret spice blends. Proceeds from the festival help support those in need throughout St. Martin Parish.  

Fete De La Nature Bioblitz and Crawfish Benefit – April 6 

This family-friendly event celebrates Acadiana’s special natural surroundings through art, music, food and science. Throughout the day, join scientists in an open-to-the-public BioBlitz at Atelier de la Nature, where you can search for various species of birds, reptiles, insects, plants, fungi, and more. Don’t miss the benefit crawfish boil, led by Chef Colt Patin and his students from the Culinary Institute of Baton Rouge, or the performance by indie pop and rock band Sweet Crude.  

Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival – May 3-5  

Celebrate the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival as the small, friendly town pays homage to the crawfish with a three-day celebration. Originating in 1960 as a spin-off of the Breaux Bridge Centennial Celebration, this festival has gained international recognition, drawing in 30,000-35,000 attendees annually. The festival offers a range of activities including delicious food, exciting crafts, and thrilling music. Indulge in a culinary adventure as you savor crawfish prepared in various delectable ways – fried, boiled, in étouffée, bisque, boudin, pie, jambalaya, and even in crawdogs. Enjoy the authentic sounds of Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop music throughout the weekend as more than 30 bands perform, showcasing the unique musical traditions being passed down from generation to generation.  

There is always something to celebrate in St. Martin Parish. For a full list of upcoming events and festivals, visit CajunCountry.org.