2 days ago
- Entertainment
- American Press
Jeff Davis Parish has plenty of festivals lined up for fall
Jeff Davis Parish is gearing up for a very busy fall, with an exciting lineup of festivals and special events to welcome visitors and showcase the parish.
'We are looking forward to bringing people in, and we want to showcase everything that our parish has to offer, whether it be our festivals or other things happening,' Director of Tourism for Jeff Davis Parish Carter Prejean said. 'We have a lot of busy things going on in the fall, with a new festival coming up – the JDP Fall Flea Festival. We'll have our Fine Wine and Dine fundraiser at the Zigler Art Museum and Jennings Alive, so a lot of things are happening in our parish that are going to be able to attract people, not only in our parish, but people outside of our parish.'
The Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission met Tuesday to discuss plans for the upcoming events, including two brand-new additions. The fall festivities will highlight everything from historic World War II aircraft, a fiddle competition, cocktails and fine wine, to and arts and crafts,
Festivities kick off on Sept. 1-Nov. 30 with a new Cocktail Trail.
The new promotional campaign encourages locals and visitors to explore the parish's bars and restaurants, 'one cocktail at a time.' Participants can collect stamps in a passport from each location for a chance to win a grand prize.
The fun continues on Sept. 18 with the Fine Wine and Dine fundraiser at the Zigler Arts Museum in Jennings. The event serves as a fundraiser to support local arts and artists.
Livestock shows, handmade crafts, carnival rides, a talent show and parade are a few of the many things that can be enjoyed during the annual Jeff Davis Parish Fair, Oct. 1-4 the parish fairgrounds in Jennings.
Entry forms, marketing material and other information will be available on the Tourist Commission's website.
The 44th annual End of the Season Stearman and Taildragger Fly-in will be held Oct. 1-5. Spectators view historical planes up close at the Jennings Airport and watch aerial competitions and formation flying displays on Saturday. The event typically draws over 40 of the classic restored WWII trainers and other aircraft from across the U.S.
The Tourist Commission is also proposing plans for a JDP Fall Flea Festival for Nov. 1 at the fairgrounds in Jennings. Preliminary plans for this new family-friendly event include vendors, a gumbo cookoff, live music, a pumpkin patch and pumpkin decorating contests.
Tourist Commission member Jeremy Doucet suggested combining the event with the annual Battle of the Bows Cajun fiddle competition. Having the two events held at the same time and location would attract more attendees to both events, he said.
More than a dozen amateur and professional fiddlers will showcase the talents and compete for bragging rights as best fiddler.
'There are a lot of participants from out of town so they bring their families,' Tourist Commission member Ronnie Petree said.
Turn it Up Tuesdays will return to Founder's Park in downtown Jennings, Sept. 9 – Oct. 28. The free outdoor concert series will feature a weekly variety of music from Cajun and zydeco to classic rock and rhythm and blues from 6-8 p.m. every Tuesday.
Local guest chefs will showcase signature dishes during the 23rd annual Communities Against Domestic Abuse Taste N' Tell fundraiser at 6 p.m. Oct.14 at the Bayou Rum Event Center in Lacassine. Area businessmen, community leaders and elected officials will share their favorite recipes to raise money to support the local women's shelter and domestic violences services.
The Last Resort Car Show rolls into Jennings Oct. 17-19 at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park. The custom automotive show features all classics of cars, trucks and motorcycles. The show traditionally draws hundreds of spectators and vehicles for a weekend of displays, games and more.
The Jennings Alive Arts and Craft Festival will also be held this fall in downtown Jennings. The family-fun event will feature arts and crafts vendors, entertainment, food vendors and more.
Information on the upcoming events will be updated on the parish's Facebook page, website and Instagram.
