Category Archives: General

Throw Me Something, Mister! Your Family's Guide to Mardi Gras Magic on Bayou Lafourche

Laissez les bons temps rouler! If you're searching for a Mardi Gras celebration that offers all the dazzling tradition of Carnival with an extra-large serving of genuine, down-home Southern charm, look no further than Lafourche Parish. Deep in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the celebration officially begins not with a float, but with a slice of pure joy! The sweet, colorful kickoff to the season is the famous Louisiana King Cake Festival held right in Downtown Thibodaux on January 31. This beloved event holds the special distinction of being the only official king cake festival in the entire state, making it the essential gathering spot to sample all the flavors, enjoy live music and officially mark the start of the joyous season. 

More than just a sweet treat, the festival is a celebration for a good cause: it is hosted by the Lafourche Education Foundation, with proceeds helping parish public school teachers and students get the supplies they need. 

Once the king cake is officially sliced and the thousands (yes—we mean thousands) of sweet crumbs have been cleared, the parade season begins its spectacular roll! Lafourche Parish truly transforms, proudly hosting an incredible 15 different parades each year, traveling up and down the historic curves of Bayou Lafourche. While larger cities may dominate the headlines, our local celebrations focus on a wonderfully personal and truly family-friendly environment. You’ll find all the grand pomp and circumstance—the bold floats and the exciting shower of throws—but the smaller crowd size allows for a more intimate experience. Here, you don't fight massive crowds; you share smiles and shouts with the krewes as they pass by. You can experience the energy of krewes like Shaka and Ambrosia in Thibodaux, or the festive community spirit of the Krewe of Apollo in Lockport, all contributing to an atmosphere where everyone feels like a neighbor.

The sheer diversity of our parades ensures there’s a captivating spectacle for every member of the family, whether you are a seasoned reveler or experiencing your very first carnival. We proudly feature classic, traditional parades like the Krewe of Chronos and the Krewe of Cleophas, complete with magnificent, tiered floats and copious amounts of throws that soar into the air. 

But we also embrace the wonderfully unique spirit of the bayou with one-of-a-kind events held in our smaller towns, such as the fun-filled Krewe Des Couyons golf cart parade, which is often found rolling through Golden Meadow. Our calendar is packed with parades in communities all across the parish, from Thibodaux to Chackbay and Gheens, offering both brilliant, sunny day parades and the illuminated spectacle of our thrilling night parades.

So, if your family is searching for an authentically Cajun Mardi Gras adventure where the throws are plentiful, the crowds are manageable and the experience is focused on community, mark your calendar for a trip to Lafourche Parish. It's an opportunity to create cherished, close-up memories and connect with the heart of Louisiana’s carnival season. Keep an eye on our calendar for the specific routes and times for our fantastic floats this season!

For the FULL Parade Schedule, visit the link here: www.lacajunbayou.com/calendar-of-events/mardi-gras

Christmas on the Bayou: The Legend of Papa Noël

When the holiday season comes to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, it brings a touch of magic and a whole lot of Cajun spirit. While the rest of the world awaits Santa Claus and his trusty reindeer, locals look to the bayou for a different kind of holiday hero … Papa Noël!

Papa Noël is the Cajun version of Santa Claus, beloved throughout South Louisiana. His legend blends French roots and the unmistakable spirit of the bayou, resulting in a Christmas character who’s as warm and welcoming as the bonfires that greet him on Christmas Eve.

The name originated from the French version of Father Christmas, Père Noël. When the French arrived in Louisiana centuries ago, they brought their holiday customs, which slowly blended with the culture of the region to form the version of Christmas that most Cajuns know today. Papa Noël is more than just Santa with a Cajun accent; he’s a symbol of the deep roots of French culture in Louisiana.

According to Cajun lore, Papa Noël travels the bayous in a Cajun canoe (called a pirogue) that’s pulled by eight alligators. Those gators’ names vary from family to family, but the reptiles are just as beloved here as Rudolph and his friends are elsewhere in the United States.

In parts of southern Louisiana, families light towering bonfires on Christmas Eve to help guide Papa Noël and his gators through the wetlands. The glow of the flames show him where local children eagerly await his arrival.

This December, you can celebrate the season Cajun-style, with these two events that bring the legend of Papa Noël to life:

Papa Noël at the Bayou Country Children’s Museum
December 13

Meet Papa Noël himself as he brings holiday cheer to the Bayou Country Children’s Museum! Kids can enjoy seasonal crafts, caroling, a candy buffet and the magical chance to see Cajun Santa up close.

Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade
December 20

A beloved local tradition, the Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade lights up the bayou with twinkling lights, holiday music and festive decorations. Don’t be surprised if you see Papa Noël waving from one of the boats … after all, water is his preferred method of transportation!

From his French roots to his team of gators and pirogue gliding through moonlit waters, Papa Noel brings a special kind of joy to our part of Louisiana. This year, we invite you to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, Cajun-style.

Joyeux Noël from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou!

Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Gives Thanks

Visitors come to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou for our amazing food and unique culture, but if you ask anyone around here what truly sets us apart as a destination, they’ll tell you that the real magic is our people.

As the holiday season kicks off, we’re giving thanks to the small business owners, community leaders and residents who make our corner of Louisiana so special. Here’s what just a few of our local luminaries told us they’re grateful for this season.

Cody A. Gray, President & CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism
“This year I am thankful for our new visitor center; for the team I get to work with every day; and for the friends, family, and people who continually love me, challenge me to grow and support me.”

Kevin Clement, Mayor of Thibodaux
“This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the people of Thibodaux …our residents, businesses and community partners who make this city such a special place to call home. I’m especially thankful for our culture that defines our community. It’s an honor to serve a city filled with so much heart, respect and pride.”

Anthony Goldsmith, Owner of Kajun Twist & Grill in Lockport
“I’m thankful for family and community. Without either, we wouldn’t be here. Both personal and work families have helped in some of the darkest moments of these last few years. And our community shows up, day after day, with their love and support. This is what I love about living on the bayou. There’s no place like it, and I love each and every one of you.”

Michael Dalmau, Owner of Cinclare in Thibodaux
“I am thankful for my family, my friends and the fun I get to have serving this community!”

Quenton Fontenot, Nicholls State University, Cajun Music Preservation Society
"There are many great aspects of our local culture, including traditional Cajun music.  I am thankful that our community embraces Cajun music and that a special part of our culture is persisting."

Across the parish, gratitude is found in every warm greeting from a passerby and every small business that opens its doors each morning. As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we invite locals and visitors alike to support the businesses that make Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou so uniquely its own. We encourage you to take a moment to appreciate all the people who make this place truly remarkable.

Photo Credit: Mike Glaspell

Celebrate National Gumbo Day!

This October, we’re ladling up Louisiana pride with one of the state’s most beloved and time-honored dishes – gumbo. With National Gumbo Day being celebrated this month (on October 12), there’s no better time to grab a spoon and celebrate the hearty, soulful stew that’s been bringing families and communities together here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou for generations.

While gumbo often gets mentioned in the same breath as jambalaya – another Louisiana favorite – the two are deliciously different. Gumbo is a rich, slow-simmered stew with a roux base, often filled with chicken, sausage, seafood or (best of all) a combo of all three. It’s served over rice, not cooked with it (that’s jambalaya’s claim to fame). And though both dishes share Cajun and Creole roots, gumbo’s depth of flavor and endless variety make it a true symbol of our culinary heart.

In Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, gumbo is more than comfort food, it’s a cultural necessity that stretches back generations. Every family has its own recipe and no festival or community gathering feels complete without a bubbling pot of gumbo to bring people together. The slow, careful art of stirring the perfect roux is practically a rite of passage in families. “What sets southern Louisiana gumbo apart from the rest of the state is variety,” says Chef Anthony Goldsmith, owner/operator of Kajun Twist. “You have many families up and down the bayou cooking gumbo how their ancestors cooked it. Our family cooks gumbo the same as our matriarch, Alzina Toups … without a roux. Go a street over and that family will be cooking with a heavy roux. There’s no bad gumbo down the bayou.”

So this National Gumbo Day, we invite you to celebrate the dish that defines Louisiana comfort food. Whether you’re stirring up your grandma’s roux at home, ordering a bowl from a local restaurant or sampling different recipes at one of our many fall festivals (hint, hint), there’s no wrong way to enjoy a good gumbo. After all, down the bayou, every pot tells a story and every story tastes just a bit different.

New Tourism Campaign Urges Visitors to “Geaux Bold” in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

Raceland, Louisiana (October 1, 2025) – Today Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism announced its new tourism campaign, “Geaux Bold,” which encourages visitors to immerse themselves in a destination that doesn’t hold back and where the authentic spirit of the people who have set this region apart live an unapologetically bold approach to life.

Lafourche Parish, popularly referred to as “Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou,” is located less than an hour’s drive from New Orleans, but it’s light years away in terms of experiences. Life along Bayou Lafourche is simultaneously laid-back and full of excitement, and the bold personalities who live here are eager to introduce visitors to their unique world. It’s a cultural experience unlike anything else in the United States.

The original bold explorers were the Acadians who settled here about 250 years ago, forging a new life in the face of adversity. Their strength of character, refusal to relinquish their traditions, and ability to both work and celebrate hard are all woven into the region’s DNA.

For those unfamiliar with the term (read: those living outside Louisiana), “geaux” is a playful version of the word “go” … spelled with a French twist. It’s what you’ll hear fans screaming at sporting events throughout Louisiana, including the local university, Nicholls State, home of the Colonels.

“When deciding on a new marketing campaign, we wanted to focus on the experiences that truly resonated with our visitors and highlighted our Cajun culture,” says Ian Wallis, Sales & Marketing Manager at Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “When we looked at everything one can do in Lafourche Parish, it was a no-brainer that the focus of the new campaign needed to emphasize the incredible amount of bold things our parish has to offer.”

To “Geaux Bold” means paddling through the untamed waterways of Bayou Lafourche, keeping an eye out for the birds above and the alligators lurking at the water’s edge, or sampling authentic Cajun dishes prepared by chefs whose recipes have been passed down from their maw maws and paw paws. It means heading to a festival, letting the music flow through you and learning how to dance like the Cajuns do, or casting a line into the Gulf and reeling in scale-tipping fish. It means celebrating Mardi Gras with people who were strangers this morning and who now feel like family, or strolling through historic sites to learn about the incredible assortment of people who came together in this unique destination to create a “cultural gumbo.”

The new campaign from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou encourages travelers to come get a taste of both the literal and figuratively bold flavors of the bayou. All they need to pack is a sense of adventure …and probably their stretchy pants.

The new campaign brings with it updated designs for the tourism office’s visitor guide and newsletter, plus a new look for the coveted Cajun Bayou Food Trail T-shirt, which is awarded to visitors who pick up a Food Trail passport and get it stamped at any five of the 18 participating restaurants or six food-related special events.

For more information about planning a trip to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, start at www.lacajunbayou.com. And while you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the all-new Cajun Bayou Visitor Center, which offers an interactive introduction to Lafourche Parish and will help you boldly plan your visit.

Sweet Traditions: Discovering Sugarcane’s Role in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

When you think of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, chances are that food comes to mind (and we don’t blame you). But did you know that one of the crops that has shaped our culture, our economy and even our folklore is sugarcane? Here are some fun (and sweet!) things to know about sugarcane:

Some History:
Sugarcane was first brought to Louisiana by Jesuit priests in the 1750s.

The very first crop was planted where Bourbon Street now stands in New Orleans.

Today, sugarcane is one of Louisiana’s top crops – right up there with soybeans, cotton, and rice.

Where to See it Here:
Laurel Valley Village – This is the largest surviving 19th- and 20th-century sugar plantation complex in the country. It’s still a working sugarcane farm today! Book a tour today at the link HERE!

E.D. White Historic Site – You can learn how sugarcane shaped life on the bayou in one of their many exhibits.

Bayou Country Children’s Museum – Climb aboard a sugarcane harvester and get a feel for what it would be like to be in the fields.

On Your Drive – Just cruising through our parish, you’ll spot fields of sugarcane stretching for miles. In late summer and fall, the tall green stalks line the roadways and make for the perfect “only in Louisiana” view.

Fun Facts:
Sugarcane is actually a grass plant, just much taller than what’s in your yard!

Louisiana has 22 parishes that grow sugarcane, including Lafourche Parish.

It thrives in warm, moist, tropical climates, making south Louisiana the perfect place for it.

Sugarcane isn’t just for sugar. It’s used in some medicines and biofuels. Its fibrous residue, known as bagasse, also becomes building materials, animal bedding and eco-friendly packaging.

A touch of Folklore:
Local legend says the Rougarou, a Cajun werewolf, prowls the sugarcane fields. Some say he was invented to keep kids from wandering too far into the cane.

Whether you’re here for the history, the harvest or to test your luck spotting the Rougarou, one thing’s for sure – sugarcane makes a trip to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou that much sweeter!

Hay There! Don't Miss These Events Up & Down The Bayou!

If you’ve ever spent a fall here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, you know that the season is more than just a change in the weather. This is when the bayou truly comes alive! Every weekend, there’s something happening … a festival, cookoff, concert, or some kind of celebration to get you out of your house or hotel room and immersed in the unique culture of our parish.

Whether you’re a visitor planning a trip or a local just looking to fill your weekends with good vibes and great food, here’s how to do it, one perfect weekend at a time.

September 5-6: Treasure Hunting in Thibodaux
TAWASI Presents: Treasures on the Bayou

Start the festival season the right way … by digging through a few treasures. This antiques show brings vendors, collectors and unique finds to downtown. You never know what you’ll leave with!

September 20: Beer and Bites on the Bayou
Thibodaux on Tap

Picture this: a crisp fall afternoon, your favorite brew in hand and live music filling the air. This local beer fest highlights Louisiana breweries and pairs perfectly with Thibodaux’s small-town charm.

September 26-28: Weekend Forecast: Music, Rides and Funnel Cakes
Cut Off Youth Center Hurricane Festival

This classic fair brings carnival rides, live music and family fun. This community celebration is a great way to close out September with a spin (literally).

October 3-5: Cajun Culture, Served Old-School
La Fete Des Vieux Temps

This “Festival of Old Times” delivers big on nostalgia and tradition. Expect music, a boucherie, pirogue races and a celebration of the culture that makes our region famous.

October 10-12: Gumbo Goals
Louisiana Gumbo Festival

It’s not fall without gumbo, and this is the place to find the best. There will be 500 gallons of the good stuff served to hungry attendees, along with live music, rides and a parade.

October 18: A Rocking Good Time
Acadia Music Fest

This music festival brings in national headliners and regional acts for a celebration that blends small-town hospitality with big-stage sound. This year’s festival is headlined by T.I.

October 24-26: A Taste of France
French Food Festival

Expect fresh bowls of etouffee and more at this favorite event in the town of Larose. With live music, dancing and some of the best food you’ll ever taste, you’ll want to be part of the festival’s 50th anniversary celebration this year.

November 1: BBQ and Bourbon
BBQ & Bourbon on the Bayou

This event is as bold as it sounds. Come for the smoked meat, stay for the bourbon tastings. New this year is a BBQ cookoff. It’s fall done right!

November 7: The Cookoffs Continue
Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-Off

In Downtown Thibodaux, teams compete to see who can cook the best Cajun dish. Spoiler: You’re the real winner here, because there are samples for festival-goers! For those participating in the Cajun Bayou Food Trail, this event earns you another stamp on your passport.

November 8: All the Fall Feels
Thibodeauxville Fall Festival

End your festival season with one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Dozens of vendors, live music, plenty of food and a famous rubber duck race makes this event a can’t-miss November tradition.

Whether you’re in it for the music, the food or just to experience fall in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou has a festival weekend waiting for you. Which ones will you choose?

New Visitor Center Opens in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

Raceland, Louisiana (August 1, 2025) – Today, nearly four years after Hurricane Ida destroyed its predecessor, the brand-new and long-awaited Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Visitor Center officially opened to the public. It’s located in the Lafourche Parish town of Raceland and situated just off  Hwy-90, a highway traveled by thousands of motorists each year as they explore Louisiana’s Gulf Coast. The new center was purpose-built to function as a facility that warmly welcomes those visitors to the region while also educating them about all that makes Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou such a remarkable destination.

The new visitor center sits on the exact footprint of its predecessor, measuring 4,874 square feet and encompassing offices for the tourism staff as well as an interactive visitor experience aimed at ensuring that all who pass through it are captivated by the region’s special appeals. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou embraces an authentic and unapologetically Cajun approach to life here along Bayou Lafourche, celebrating a unique culture that has endured since the late 1700s.

Among the elements designed with the needs and curiosity of visitors in mind is a three-dimensional map of Lafourche Parish, an element that’s been nicknamed the “Fun Finder” and which features more than 30 interactive buttons that can be pressed to learn more about the places, people, tastes and sounds ready to be discovered up and down the bayou. Visitors learn the inspiring story of the Acadians, who sought exile in Louisiana in the late 1700s and became known as “Cajuns.” A telephone feature on the Fun Finder allows users to listen to the sounds of Cajun French, which is still spoken by many area residents. The visitor center also honors the flora and fauna of the region, with a replica oak tree standing in one corner and a pair of mock alligators situated in another. Visitors can even pose for a photo with a larger-than-life washboard, an old household tool that doubles as an essential instrument in Cajun music.

In addition to all the interactive displays that help travelers navigate their way through this fascinating region that’s located less than an hour southwest of New Orleans, the visitor center is staffed by travel counselors on Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These specially trained residents can answer questions about the region and provide insider tips about the best places to stay, visit and eat.

An overarching theme of any visit to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and its attractions is the resiliency of its residents, from the displaced Acadians who settled here more than two centuries ago to modern-day residents who continue to find ways to recover from a variety of challenges … including those put forth by Mother Nature.

Such was the case following the events of August 29, 2021, when Hurricane Ida swept through coastal Louisiana. The impact on Lafourche Parish was devastating, and the former tourism office and visitor center was among the buildings that were deemed a complete loss. It took a total of 1,433 days – or 3 years, 11 months and 3 days – for the new center to be rebuilt, coming back better than ever.

Though the tourism office’s staff was uprooted, the team remained nimble and ready to serve the community and traveling public. In the early days after the storm, they worked from their hotels and hotel rooms, and they’ve been operating from a modular office on the building site for the past few years. Lafourche Parish Government worked with FEMA to secure the funds to build this permanent structure, which was designed by Gros Flores Positerry (GFP), built by Onshore Construction, and features exhibits created by Cote Blanche Productions. Ground broke on the new facility on May 17, 2024, and less than 15 months later, the facility’s opening was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and open house.

“The best part about our new visitor center is that this building was specifically designed as both a workspace for our staff and a truly welcoming experience for the many visitors who come to our parish,” said Cody A Gray, President and CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “The design of this building encourages guests to wander through interactive and fun exhibits that give them a beautiful introduction to our way of life and a better understanding of what sets our destination and its people apart. We look forward to welcoming everyone and hope they’ll quickly feel right at home here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou.”

Our New Visitor Center is Open! Here's What You Need to Know!

Nearly four years after Hurricane Ida destroyed its predecessor, the brand-new and long-awaited Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Visitor Center has officially opened to the public. The new center was purpose-built to function as a facility that warmly welcomes visitors to the region while also educating them about all that makes our parish such a remarkable destination.

Lafourche Parish Government worked with FEMA to secure the funds to build this permanent structure. Ground broke on the new facility on May 17, 2024, and less than 15 months later, the facility’s opening has been celebrated with a ribbon-cutting and open house.

On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida swept through coastal Louisiana. The impact on our parish was devastating, and the former visitor center was among the buildings deemed a complete loss. It took a total of 1,433 days – or 3 years, 11 months and 3 days – for the new center to be rebuilt, but now we’re back and better than ever!

The new visitor center includes offices for our tourism staff as well as an interactive visitor experience aimed at ensuring that all who pass through it are captivated by the region’s special appeals.

Among the elements designed with the needs and curiosity of visitors in mind is a three-dimensional map of the parish, an element that’s been nicknamed “the Fun Finder.” It features more than 30 interactive buttons that can be pressed to learn more about the places, people, tastes and sounds ready to be discovered up and down the bayou. Visitors learn the inspiring story of the Acadians, who sought exile in Louisiana in the late 1700s and became known as “Cajuns.” A telephone feature on the Fun Finder allows users to listen to the sounds of Cajun French, which is still spoken by many of our residents. The visitor center also honors the flora and fauna of the region, with a replica oak tree standing in one corner and a pair of mock alligators situated in another. Visitors can even pose for a photo with a larger-than-life washboard, which is used in our famous Cajun music.

In addition to all the interactive displays, the center is staffed by travel counselors on Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. These specially trained residents can answer questions about the region and provide insider tips about the best places to stay, visit and eat.

So, whether you’re a longtime resident or visitor eager to learn more about our region, we encourage you to stop by the new visitor center in Raceland to say hello and check out the new exhibits. We can’t wait to welcome you! 

Get Your Shrimp Together! Unshell These Fun Facts for National Shrimp Day!

They’re tiny, tasty and tenacious. On May 10, we’re turning our appetites to one of Louisiana’s most beloved crustaceans: the humble shrimp. In honor of National Shrimp Day, we’re diving antennae-first into some of the biggest questions you never knew you had about this little local legend.

How long have we been shrimping around here?

Shrimping in the Gulf isn’t new; it’s been going strong since the early 1800s. Generations of families have made their livelihoods on these waters, with an incredible work ethic and plenty of knowledge passed down through the years.

How many legs does a shrimp even have?

More than you’d guess. Shrimp sport 10 legs … plus two pairs of antennae they use to feel, taste, smell and generally make sense of the world around them. They may be smaller than other aquatic critters, but they come equipped!

Wait ... the heart is where?

Believe it or not, a shrimp’s heart is located in its head. That’s right -- head and heart are one and the same in the world of shrimp. (Take note, fellow romantics.)

How many kinds of shrimp are there?

Globally, there are more than 2,000 different species of shrimp, but here in Louisiana, two types dominate the scene: brown shrimp and white shrimp. Each has its own flavor … and fan base.

Just how much shrimp are we talking about?

At the Golden Meadow-Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo, between 1,200 to 1,500 pounds of shrimp are cooked each year. That’s a whole lot of tails, and even more happy taste buds.

Why do we love them so much?

Beyond their role in our local economy and ecosystems, shrimp are simply delicious. Whether you like ‘em boiled, fried, grilled or tossed into a gumbo, they’re a staple in Cajun kitchens for good reason.

This Shrimp Day, give a little recognition to the creatures with the legs of a spider, the heart of a poet, and the power to bring an entire community together around a boiling pot. From bayou to the boil, shrimp prove that the biggest (and most flavorful) things sometimes come in the smallest packages. (Though if we’re being honest, Louisiana shrimp aren’t THAT small!)