Cajun Food Fest
Lydia, LA
November 14-15, 2008 (These are new dates due to Hurricane Ike.)

Cajun food certainly has its followers. On menus nationwide, you’ll find things like “Blackened Chicken Salad” or “Cajun Popcorn Shrimp”. As a general rule, these things are usually pale derivatives of the real thing. If you’re interested in the real thing, you’d be wise to be in the small town of Lydia, Louisiana, in November for its annual Cajun Food Fest.

The star of the Cajun Food Fest is, of course, Cajun food. The festival’s main attraction, the Cajun food cook-off, will give attendees a glimpse, and a taste, of authentic Cajun cooking, as some of Cajun Country’s best chefs toss their best dishes into the ring. Another way to enjoy authentic Cajun food is at the number of festival food booths, offering all the Cajun favorites. Sample stuffed bell peppers, boudin, red beans and rice, gumbo, bacon-wrapped quail, fried alligator and many more Cajun favorites from more than 20 food booths.

Since Cajun food wouldn’t taste as good without a Cajun soundtrack, the festival offers non-stop live music, including a fais do-do, or Cajun dance party, on Friday night and popular bands all day Saturday. Performers include 2008 Grammy Nominee Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie, as well as Highway 329, billed as Acadiana’s Classic Country Music Band, Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys, and No Left Turn, to name a few.

The Cajun Food Fest also features arts and crafts booths, a poker run, hot air balloon rides, train and pony rides, a rock climbing wall, face painting and fun for the whole family.

2008 dates: November 14-15

Admission: $5 per car (on-grounds parking included)

Directions: The Cajun Food Fest is held in Weeks Park, Lydia, LA. Head toward Lafayette on I-10. Near Lafayette, take exit 103A to merge onto NW Evangeline Trwy/US-167 S toward US-90 S/Lafayette. Travel 6.5 miles. Continue on Highway 90 for 21.7 miles. Turn Right at Neco Town Road. Proceed 1.1 miles and turn left at Freyou Road. Go a half mile and turn right on Weeks Park Road. The park will be on your left.

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