The Bunkie City Council and Mayor Brenda C. Sampson invites everyone around the parish, state, and beyond to visit Bunkie, this weekend to enjoy the many attractions of the 37th Annual Louisiana Corn Festival.
A great deal has changed since the Louisiana Corn Festival debuted in 1987. What has remained constant is the “something fun for everyone” dynamic for which the Corn Festival is famous. From Family Night, which starts at 5pm on Thursday, June 12, to the finale at the Haas Bandstand at midnight Saturday, June 14, there is something fun and exciting for folks of any age or interest to enjoy at the Louisiana Corn Festival.
Thursday evening kicks off festivities with the youth-oriented Family Carnival Night. At this time, there is no cover charge for entering the festival grounds.
The carnival officially begins at 5pm on Friday, June 13, with opening ceremonies held shortly thereafter. The evening also includes the reveal of the Corn Farmer of the Year, the commencement of the softball tournament, and live music by LaRoxx Project and Three Thirty Seven.
On Saturday, June 14, the city-wide parade, the corn shucking contest, the corn recipe contest, the corn eating contest, and corn creature contest run throughout the day. Live music, featuring Alphonse Ardoin, begins at 5:30pm. The festival culminates on Saturday evening with headliners Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band taking the stage at 9pm.
Food vendors, arts and crafts, and the always popular “Watering Hole” will operate throughout the festival. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office and Raymond Laborde Correctional Center will provide security. Please be advised that only clear bags and purses are permitted into the festival grounds.
A common misconception through the years has been that the City of Bunkie is solely responsible for the Louisiana Corn Festival. True, the city’s government does play a vital support role; the mayor and council thank the department heads and city employees for their efforts and dedication. However, the Bunkie Chamber of Commerce, specifically the Corn Festival Committee, is responsible for the exhaustive, year-long organization and preparation that allows a town of limited size and resources to host such an auspicious and well-attended event. Kudos to these fine folks and the numerous sponsors, civic organizations, and citizen volunteers that make the Louisiana Corn Festival an annual, highly anticipated reality.
The mayor, city council, and Bunkie’s citizens enthusiastically look forward to doling out their famous hometown hospitality to family, friends, neighbors, and newcomers to the festival and town.