Beef and Chili Cookoffs Highlight Acadiana Weekend Fun

For the past few weeks, folks in Acadiana have been subject to a premature spring. The weather has been muggy and milder than it's supposed to be. That has given millions, okay maybe I am exaggerating, of oak trees a reason to start spewing pollen all over us and into our noses. But a cool front that is sliding through the area this morning should help clear the air a little and bring us the return of cool crisp mornings and comfortable clear nights.

Naturally with the weather expected to be wonderful many of you are looking for a reason to get outside and go do something fun. We have a great lineup of ideas for you to choose from and if you play your cards right, you might be able to do them all.

Ragin Cajun Athletics will be busy all weekend in Acadiana and across the Gulf South for that matter. Here in Lafayette, the Ragin Cajun Baseball team will host the Fighting Campbell Camels at Russo Park with games scheduled for tonight, tomorrow afternoon, and Sunday afternoon. See, even country star Thomas Rhett is a Ragin Cajun fan.

By the way, Cajun Softball is in Austin Texas this weekend and Cajun Men's Basketball is competing in the Sun Belt Tournament in Pensacola this weekend as well.

The 40th Anniversary Season of Downtown Alive! Kicks off tonight in Parc International. Wayne Toups and Zydecajun headline that show. Joe Hall and the Cane Cutters open the party. The music starts at 6. Please leave your ice chests at home because your purchase of beverages keeps Downtown Alive! free to attend.

If you like to eat Saturday is your day. There are the "Here's the Beef Cookoff" and "The Branch Volunteer Fire Department's Chili Cookoff and Stick Horse Rodeo" that take place beginning Saturday morning and extending into the afternoon.

The Branch Volunteer Fire Department's 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff and Stick Horse Rodeo will take place at the fire station in Branch. Your five-dollar admission fee gets you samples of all the different chilis that are being prepared. You can also bring your little ones for some wild west fun with the stick horse rodeo.

I love the poster, "It ain't our first rodeo, it's our second".  Funds generated from this event will go to support the Branch Volunteer Fire Department.  And if you're not sure how to "rodeo on a stick horse" take a look at these fun-loving firefighters showing you how it's done.

You know the members of the Branch Volunteer Fire Department are willing to put their lives on the line for you and your family so supporting them by having a good time is a great way to spend the weekend.

In St Landry Parish it's an event that has become legendary across the Cajun Prairie. It's the 37th Annual Here's The Beef Cookoff. It's sponsored by the St. Landry Parish Cattlemen's Association and talk about meat. They got it.

As you can see in the video if Gerald Greunig shows up you know there's gonna be something good to eat and it wouldn't be a St Landry Parish Beef Cookoff without Daniel Lyons, I think he's been there for all of them.

Events will take place at the St Landry Parish Ag Arena. There will be a trail ride Saturday at 8 AM. The live music will commence at 10 AM and the feasting will begin after the judges get their sample dishes at Noon. From what we hear every part of the cow will be considered in some of the dishes created for this cookoff. And, you can taste all that goodness for just $10.

The Shadows on the Teche Arts and Crafts Fair is set for Saturday in New Iberia. From what we understand exhibitor space at the fair is sold out so the shopping should be wonderful under the clear blue sky. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for kids aged 6-17, and under 6 get in free. Food, drinks, and desserts will be available for purchase, please leave your pets at home. This is a non-smoking event.

The 32nd Annual Cajun Comic Relief is set for Angelle Hall on the Campus of UL on Saturday evening. As Jim Richard, host of the event likes to say, come laugh til it helps. The show features a variety of Cajun comedians and new this year is The Last Mayor Standing where mayors from municipalities across Acadiana will try their hand at making you laugh with them instead of at them.

The proceeds from Cajun Comic Relief benefit Love of People an organization that helps individuals, families, service industry workers, musicians artists and the elderly grow as a part of a productive environment. The show starts at 5:30.

For other events happening in and around Acadiana this weekend, Lafayette Travel has a wonderful listing with a lot of details. The weather is going to be wonderful, enjoy the weekend.