Louisiana has a festival for everything, and with a rich array of agricultural products defining the state’s economy and culture, is it any wonder that the state’s harvest festivals are among its most beloved? The Louisiana Corn Festival (“Cornfest” for short) is a summertime celebration that honors the state’s robust corn production, and is still the only corn festival in the state. Across three days (June 11—13 this year), festival-goers get to immerse themselves in corn-y jokes (“Aw Shucks” has been Cornfest’s slogan since 1986), corn-centric activities, and all the trappings you’d expect from a well-established Louisiana harvest festival—live music, arts & crafts, and abundant corn-focused festival flavors, of course.
A short drive from Marksville, the charming crossroads town of Bunkie celebrates Cornfest on the second full weekend each June, hosting old-fashioned pastimes such as a street dance, games, a children’s parade, a corn-cooking contest (original recipes are encouraged, with three competitive categories and cash prizes awarded), a softball tournament, and a corn-shucking contest. For Bunkie, this celebration is personal. Founded in 1882 around the expansion of the Texas and Pacific Railroad, the town developed into a hub for Central Louisiana’s agricultural industry—particularly sugar cane, cotton, and corn.
“The name Louisiana Corn Festival was given to honor the impact that agriculture has on our economy,” wrote festival organizers Thomas Frank and LeLe Soileau in a statement. “Every year we promote and recognize our farmers as well as award a Corn Farmer of the Year. In addition to the thousands of visitors who travel to the small town of Bunkie each year, spending their money at gas stations, restaurants, shops, and grocery stores; our very own farmers, community leaders, business owners, and citizens who partner with the Louisiana Corn Festival help generate a positive economic impact to the surrounding areas.”
Live music at Corn Fest
Naturally, no Louisiana festival is complete without live music, and Corn Fest knows how to jam. The thirty-eighth annual festival promises a thrilling musical lineup of local and regional acts, including Travis Matte & The Kingpins, Ryan Foret, Josh Ferguson & Semi-Charmed, and The Molly Ringwalds. Visitors can also expect not one but two beauty pageants—the Queen’s Pageant for juniors, teens, and older; and the Niblet Pageant for beauties ages zero to eight. There’ll be food vendors offering the latest in corn cuisine, and an arts and crafts fair peddling regional and local hand-crafted treasures, too.
So, come ready to shuck, taste, dance, and cook your share of golden corn at Bunkie’s sparkling Louisiana summertime harvest festival … complete with corn puns and all. Learn more at bunkiechamber.org/corn-festival.
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