The name of the event that marks the unofficial end of the South Louisiana spring festival season says it all. Held annually on the first weekend in June, the Gheens Bon Mangé Festival translates to "good eats."
Down the bayou in Lafourche Parish, the festival is a showcase of classic Cajun cuisine made with regionally-sourced ingredients, following family recipes passed down for generations. “Lafourche” translates to “the fork” because the Bayou is a fork of the Mississippi River, but that translation might as well refer to the culinary tradition, which is the keystone of the parish’s identity. The further down the bayou you travel, the clearer it becomes that eateries are the linchpins of local communities; community center, meeting place, and sustenance, all in one.
The menu consists of all the familiar favorites when it comes to a proper cookout—gumbo, jambalaya, fried catfish and shrimp, po-boys, grillades, white beans, fresh cracklins, and more. Hungry attendees can also expect to find a lineup of summer Americana foods to nosh on, including hot dogs, hamburgers, chili frito pie, and more.
This year marks the festival’s forty-eighth--it shows the staying power of these local communities. Originally known as the Gheens Day Festival, this daylong celebration began in the early seventies; since the food seemed to only get better year after year, the name was officially changed in 1980.
As any tried-and-true resident of the Bayou State knows, good eats also includes good drinks, and the event's famous Rougarou Brew will be flowing freely. Inspired by the mythical swamp monster, the fruity daiquiri concoction was originally dreamt up by Glenn Robichaux, Vice President and Entertainment Director of the Vacherie-Gheens Community Center Board, several years ago. For Robichaux, the festival is meant to be a weekend of fun for the whole family. "For us, it's about the food, the music and bringing the community together," he said.
The festival will also feature inflatables for the kids, a Sunday art market, a cornhole tournament on Saturday, a live auction, and of course, live music. Double Play, the Aaron Foret Band, Shorts in December, Gary T, Craig Babin, and Junior Lacrosse and Sumtin Sneaky.
Thanks to the onset of summer, most of the action will be taking place inside the (air-conditioned) Vacherie-Gheens Community Center. Admission is free, as well as parking on site. All festival proceeds go toward upkeep and maintenance of the community center, which is located at 1783 LA-654 in Gheens. For more information, follow the event listing on Facebook at Gheens Bon Mange’ Festival & Community Center. lacajunbayou.com.
Sponsored by Louisiana's Cajun Bayou
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