El Festival Español de Nueva Iberia

This popular celebration of New Iberia's Spanish roots returns for its tenth anniversary, offering three days of events and activities all centered around the town's central Bouligny Plaza celebrating Nueva Iberia with food, music, and culture.

The festivities begin Friday with the blessing of the Crochet ceiling in Church Alley and a re-enactment of the Spanish arrival. On Saturday, be sure to catch the "Running of the Bull’s" dog-friendly 5K/1 Mile Fun Run, a Founding Families Parade, a paella cooking contest and a paella eating contest, carnival rides, and much more. On Sunday, the public is invited to attended a mass of Thanksgiving at St. Peter's Catholic Church, in honor of New Iberia’s founding families (Gary, Lopez, Migues, Prados, Romero, Segura, and Viator). 5 pm–11:30 pm Friday, 6:30 am–11 pm Saturday, and 10:30 am–5 pm Sunday. Free admission. newiberiaspanishfestival.com.