Cajun Music and Food Festival

The Cajun Music and Food Festival, now in its 39th year, is an annual celebration of Cajun heritage held at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Hosted by the Cajun French Music Association of Louisiana’s Lake Charles chapter, the festival aims to preserve and showcase Cajun culture through a rich array of activities including live music, traditional foods, dancing, and community gathering. Admission is $10 for ages 11 and up, with free entry for children 10 and under.

The festival runs all day, with doors opening at 8 a.m. and opening ceremonies beginning at 8:45 a.m. These ceremonies feature a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance recited in both English and French, and the National Anthem performed on the accordion. Attendees can enjoy a variety of Cajun dishes such as chicken and sausage gumbo, jambalaya, and fried fish, along with offerings from a sweet shop. Musical entertainment includes performances by bands like Donny Broussard and La Stars, Ivy Dugas, Kaleb Trahan and Cajun Cousins, Jason Frey, Ray Thibodeaux and Friends, and Paul Daigle and Cajun Gold, who close out the day.

Key highlights include an accordion contest starting at 9:30 a.m. with cash prizes and trophies for winners across three divisions, and open jam sessions in the Chalkley Room for musicians of all skill levels. The event also hosts both live and silent auctions, offering items such as a jambalaya pot and burner set, and jambalaya for up to 100 people. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will be on site, selling a variety of goods, and face painting is available for children, making it a family-friendly affair dedicated to keeping the Cajun heritage alive.