44th annual Cochon de Lait Fest to be held May 10-13
Squealin’ good times will be in store in Mansura next Thursday through Sunday (May 10-13) for the 44th annual Cochon de Lait Festival.
The festival is presented by the Mansura Chamber of Commerce. Sponsors include Paragon Casino, the town of Mansura, St. Romain Oil/Y-Not Stop, Avoyelles Commission of Tourism, Riviere de Soleil, Louisiana Life magazine, Southwest Beverage Co./Budweiser, Louisiana Lottery Corp., Where Y’At magazine, The Cottonport Bank, Cleco, Harold Quebedeaux Produce, L.J.’s Casino, Joe’s Ice, Tractor Supply, Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office, Gibko Signs, Vaughn Motors, Mansura Police Department and Mansura Fire Department.
Thursday-
Carnival Family Night
Festivities will begin on Thursday evening with Carnival Family Night at 5 p.m. The carnival section of the festival will open with a “pay one price-ride all night” armband for all carnival rides.
Food and arts and crafts vendors will also open at 5 p.m.
Friday-
Keith Frank performs
Carnival rides, arts and crafts and food vendors will reopen on Friday night at 5 p.m.
The street dance gates will open at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $7 for adults and $2 for children. No pets, ice chests or glass containers are allowed at the street dance.
At 8:30 p.m. festival headliner Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band will take the Paragon Casino stage.
Saturday-
Day of activities/contests
A full day of activities will begin on Saturday morning, May 12 with the opening of the arts and crafts and food vendors and carnival.
At 10:30 a.m. the grand parade will roll down L’Eglise Street.
Parade grand marshal will be Dr. Donald Prier. Prier was born and raised in Mansura and is the author of Back Through the Veil: A Brief History of African Americans Living in Mansura.
The theme of this year’s parade will be “Pigs in Space.” Those entering the parade are asked to decorate their entries with space and pig items. For a parade entry form call (318) 613-3010 or visit www.cochondelaitfestival.com.
Immediately following the parade, the CENLA Brass band will second line down L’Eglise Street to the parade grounds to officially kick off the day of celebration. The band will then take the Paragon Casino stage to perform from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
Also at 11 a.m., the third annual cracklin’ cook off competition will begin around the Mansura walking track.
Cost to enter the cracklin’ cook off is $30 per team. Each team must consist of two people ages 16 and above. Contestants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Teams must prepare 15 pounds of cracklins for judging.Teams must be at the site no later than 10 a.m. and judging will begin at 3 p.m. Prizes will be $250 for first place, $100 for second and $50 for third place. All applications for the contest must be turned by May 9. For more information on the contest or to register call Allison Ferguson at (318) 613-3010 or Lucas Welch at 359-9960.
Emcees for festival contests, the Paul and Pete Band, will take the Paragon Casino stage at 11:30 a.m.
From 12 to 3 p.m. Y-Not Stop will sponsor a children’s “pigpen.” The pigpen is an area filled with free activities for children.
At 12 p.m., the Cochon de Lait Festival queens will be presented at the main stage area.
At 12:30 p.m., the children’s hog calling contest will be held followed by the adult hog calling at 1 p.m.
At 1:30 p.m. the ladies’ beer drinking contest will begin with the men’s contest following at 2 p.m. Cost to participate in the beer drinking is $5 and contestants must be at least 21 years old.
At 2:30 p.m. parade winners will be announced followed by the boudin eating contest at 3 p.m. Cost is $10 to enter. Contestants must race to eat three one pound links of boudin. Prizes will be awarded in first through third place.
At 3:30 p.m cracklin’ cook off winners will be announced.
At 4 p.m. festival contests will be taken to the Mansura walking track for the greasy pig contests. Entry fee is $10 for the contests. Age divisions will be: 5 and 6; 7 and 8; 9 and 10; 11 and 12; 13 and 14; 15 and 16; 17 and up open class; and a special “Mothers Only” division.
Following the contests, Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Mansura beginning at 5 p.m.
At 6 p.m., street dance gates will open. Cost to enter on Saturday night will be $7 for adults and $2 for children.
Matthew Ewing and the All Star Band will take the stage at 7 p.m. The Wicked Waters band will end the day with a performance on the Paragon Casino main stage from 9 to 11:30 p.m.
Sunday-
Grand Feast served
On Sunday, May 13, the carnival will open at 10 a.m. with “pay one price-ride all day” armbands for all carnival rides.
At 10:30 a.m. the grand feast will be served. The feast will consist of cochon de lait dinners with rice dressing, baked sweet potato, coleslaw and a roll for $9. Tickets can be purchased at the Mansura Town Hall.
For more information on the festival or any contests or events visit the Cochon de Lait Facebook page or www.cochondelaitfestival.com.