The 33rd Annual French Food Festival
By: Robert Barrilleaux, Jr.
Are you looking for something to do this weekend, or are you thinking of a place to bring your 
love ones to go eat great Cajun food and listen to good music. Well there is one place this weekend which will have both of these things as well as great fun and games for the entire family. The 33rd Annual French Food Festival, which will be held this weekend, October 27-29, in Larose, will be the place where you can find all of the things mentioned so far plus more. This festivals purpose is to generate 1/3 of the revenue needed to operate the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center. Since this facility is not owned by the parish it does not receive parish or state funds for operation, it relies on events such as this one to raise the revenue. With this in mind not only are you getting great food, music, and fun, you are also helping support this great atmosphere for events and a place where children can play.
“Each of the three days of the festival is packed full of unique music, great food, and carnival rides. Also, included during the weekend are folk-life demonstrations, an art contest, a Texas Hold'em Tournament, as well as a once in a lifetime opportunity to view a Smithsonian Exhibit which happens to be at the LRP until November 1st.” says Mr. Brian Detillier, the festival chairman as well as the Director of the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center. (Pictured to the left with his wife at the festival last Fall)
As stated before the food at this festival is plentiful, some of the Cajun foods that will be served this weekend include: seafood gumbo, shrimp and crawfish fettuccine, shrimp boulettes, fried oysters, shrimp, & crab patties. They will also be serving some other favorites, such as meat pies, boudin balls, fried seafood pistolettes, alligator sauce piquante, jambalaya, boucherie plates, and many delicious sweets.
The great music is another one of the pluses to this festival, and all three days will be filled with great music. A variety that covers all ages will be offered as oldies, reggae, zydeco, Cajun, dance, and rock-n-roll will all be offered at different times of the weekend. Some of the featured performers for this weekend include that of Sunpie & The LA Sunspots, Zebra, The Chee Weez, and Waylon Thibodaux.
All of this along with the carnival rides, games, and entertainment for children including face painting and a Halloween costume contest on Sunday; shows the making of a very fun filled weekend. This festival is open to the public and has no admission charges; not to mention you don’t have to worry about finding a parking spot as the 46 acre park grounds proves to be ample amount of space for parking. Each year the festival tries to improve on its previous years outcome, and this year that great tradition holds as they have high hopes for this year to be another great festival.
“This year's festival continues in the tradition of providing a place for families to come out and enjoy themselves,” says Mr. Detillier, “We look forward to a great weekend with beautiful weather, and would like to invite everyone to come out to Larose and enjoy the French Food Festival!”