JUNE
❶ Gheens Bon Manage Festival
June 7-9. Gheens. The Bon Manage’ Festival, which loosely translates to “good eat” or “good food,” is a festival celebrating the area and the food culture. The menu features items like gumbo and cracklins and the itinerary includes a Queens Pageant and a live auction. gheensbonmange.weebly.com
❷ Gulf Coast Shrimp and Jazz Festival
June 22. Lake Charles. Named one of the Top Twenty events by the Southeast Tourism Society, The Gulf Coast Shrimp and Jazz Festival is dedicated to promoting jazz music and musicians, while incorporating some of Louisiana’s favorite fare. gcshrimpnjazzfest.com
❸ Beauregard Watermelon Festival
June 28-29. DeRidder. This family-friendly festival is all about one of summer’s favorite light treats — watermelon. The DeRidder festival features a watermelon carving contest, frozen T-shirt contest, a festival pageant, entertainment and more. beauregardwatermelonfestival.com
JULY
❶ Lebeau Zydeco Festival
July 6. Lebeau. The Lebeau Zydeco Festival is an annual event dedicated to zydeco music and its roots in the Cajun community. Guest can enjoy food, fun, music and a whole lot of dancing. cajuntravel.com
❷ Cajun Music and Food Festival
July 19-20. Lake Charles. Like the name suggests, this festival is dedicated to preserving and promoting Cajun food and music. Along with music, food and dancing, the festival includes a Cajun mass and doughnut social traditionally held on the Sunday of the festival. cfmalakecharles.com
❸ Southwest La Attakapas Opelousas Prairie Tribe Festival
July 27. Opelousas. The local Native American tribe Attakapas Opelousas Prairie Tribe each year dedicates a day to its culture and history in Opelousas. Many tribes throughout the state of Louisiana gather for the festival that includes educational speakers, dancing demonstrations and lessons and jewelry making. cajuntravel.com
