Gumbo Festival History/Facts
- 2023 will mark the 50th Annual Festival
- During the 1970’s, then Governor Edwin Edwards signed a proclamation naming Chackbay the “Gumbo Capitol of Louisiana”
- Festival proceeds support the local Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department
- Volunteers cook nearly 500 gallons of Gumbo during the festival weekend
- Festival attracts over 15,000 visitors each year
- Festival features Cajun food, music, amusement rides, parade, auction, demonstrations, and much more
- Festival was previously named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association
- Festival was previously named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society
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FAQs
How much is it to enter the festival?
Free admission
Where to park?
Free parking is available in one of the fairgrounds lots. Side street parking and other public and private parking areas are available around the fairgrounds.
How much are ride bracelets?
This year we are once again offering Pay One Price Advanced Weekend Armbands for $55.00. Advanced armbands allow children unlimited carnival rides throughout the duration of the festival. Advanced weekend armbands are for sale until 4:00pm on Friday October 12th. After this time they can be purchased at the carnival ticket booth for $65.00 each. Advanced armbands can be picked up near the main entrance on Friday evening or the festival ticket booth. Buy armbands here.
Who's playing at the fair this year?
What's the weather looking like?
Can I bring chairs?
Yes, plenty seating is provided but chairs are welcomed.
Can I bring outside food/drinks?
No, we have plenty of delicious food and drink options for your liking. View menu.
Can I bring my pet?
Only service animals are allowed.
How do I become a vendor?
Fill out our form by contacting us here.
How do I become a sponsor?
How can I volunteer to help?
To help, contact us in the form here!
Do you have an ATM?
Yes, an ATM will be available right when you walk through the gates!
Do you have a covered area?
Yes, the band and food areas are all covered!
Do you have an indoor area?
Yes, our gumbo kitchen is indoors and has plenty of seating to enjoy your meal!
Do you have restrooms?
Yes, we have multiple bathroom locations with plenty of room!
are camper/rv spots available?
There are no camper/RV spots available at the fairgrounds. There is a nice, concrete camper/RV parking area with hook-ups located just a few minutes away at the Thibodaux Civic Center. Click here to book
Meet our 2022 Gumbo Festival Royalty
Miss Sheridan Duet
Gumbo Queen
Miss Louisiana Gumbo Festival Queen XLVIII is Sheridan Duet. Sheridan is 19 years old and the daughter of Kenneth and Dayna Duet. She is from Thibodaux, Louisiana and is a 2018 graduate of Thibodaux High School. She is currently attending Northwestern State University where she is pursuing a degree in Hospitality Management and Tourism. Sheridan says, “It is a dream come true to represent the Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department and a community I hold so dear to my heart. Thank you to everyone who has made this festival so amazing for so many years. A special thank you goes to the volunteer fire department for all of the hard work and dedication they have put into the community. Thank you for this opportunity. I look forward to a great year.” Sheridan would like to invite everyone to join her October 11th, 12th, and 13th at the Louisiana Gumbo Festival held in Chackbay.
Mrs. Marilyn " Tootise" Plaisance
Grand Marshal
The Louisiana Gumbo Festival is proud to announce Mrs. Marilyn Ledet Plaisance as this year’s 2022 Grand Marshal. Mrs. Plaisance was married to Edwis “E.J.”Plaisance, our 2006 Grand Marshal, for 58 years.
Mrs. Plaisance, fondly know by friends and family as “Tootsie”, was born and raised in Thibodaux. She and E.J. moved to Choupic in 1984 where their children, Melanie, Evan, and Annette, followed and began raising their families. Prior to retirement, E.J. and Marilyn donated time, talents, and supplies from Acadian Electric Contractors for the construction of the fairgrounds. Their son, Evan, reigned as the Gumbo King in 2004. The Plaisance family continues to support the Fire Department, festival, and community to this day.
Mrs. Plaisance’s interest’s include singing, sewing, gardening, traveling, and managing their real estate properties. A talented singer in her younger days, Mrs. Plaisance was a member of a local chapter of Sweet Adeline’s International, traveling and competing throughout the South. She extended her singing talents to the community as a member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church music ministry for many years.
Sewing may seem a hobby for some, but Mrs. Plaisance takes pride in crafting quilts for her family. Each year she donates a quilt for the festivals auction. She also volunteered in the Gumbo Kitchen with the making of bread dough for beignets, potato salad, and of course, serving Gumbo!
As a longtime supporter of the Fire Department and Festival, Mrs. Plaisance is truly humbled and honored to be the 2022 Grand Marshal, and notes a moment in history as the First Lady Grand Marshal. “ This wonderful community opened their arms and hearts to E.J. and I many years ago. Here we are home.”
Please join us in congratulating our 2022 Louisiana Gumbo Festival Grand Marshal Mrs. Marilyn Plaisance!!!
Mrs. Plaisance, fondly know by friends and family as “Tootsie”, was born and raised in Thibodaux. She and E.J. moved to Choupic in 1984 where their children, Melanie, Evan, and Annette, followed and began raising their families. Prior to retirement, E.J. and Marilyn donated time, talents, and supplies from Acadian Electric Contractors for the construction of the fairgrounds. Their son, Evan, reigned as the Gumbo King in 2004. The Plaisance family continues to support the Fire Department, festival, and community to this day.
Mrs. Plaisance’s interest’s include singing, sewing, gardening, traveling, and managing their real estate properties. A talented singer in her younger days, Mrs. Plaisance was a member of a local chapter of Sweet Adeline’s International, traveling and competing throughout the South. She extended her singing talents to the community as a member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church music ministry for many years.
Sewing may seem a hobby for some, but Mrs. Plaisance takes pride in crafting quilts for her family. Each year she donates a quilt for the festivals auction. She also volunteered in the Gumbo Kitchen with the making of bread dough for beignets, potato salad, and of course, serving Gumbo!
As a longtime supporter of the Fire Department and Festival, Mrs. Plaisance is truly humbled and honored to be the 2022 Grand Marshal, and notes a moment in history as the First Lady Grand Marshal. “ This wonderful community opened their arms and hearts to E.J. and I many years ago. Here we are home.”
Please join us in congratulating our 2022 Louisiana Gumbo Festival Grand Marshal Mrs. Marilyn Plaisance!!!
Mr. J. Daniel Clement
King
The Louisiana Gumbo Festival is proud to announce Mr. J. Daniel Clement as this year’s 2022 Gumbo King. Mr. Clement is married to Mrs. Nellie Gautheaux Clement for 65 years.
Mr. Daniel, known by friends and family as “JD” was born and raised in Chackbay, where he and his wife raised their children, Daniel “Danny Boy”, Angela and Miriam. Mr. Clement has six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Mr. Clement is a founding member of the Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department, and is one of thirty seven men who signed the fire department’s article’s of incorporation at its inception in August of 1966.
This year is the festivals 51st year, and Mr. Clement and the Citimahan hunting club in which he is also a member of, has worked the festivals gumbo kitchen on Sunday’s for many years in the past, cooking and serving delicious gumbo.
Mr. Clement’s hobbies are hunting, fishing, farming and spending time with family.
As a lifetime member of the Chackbay Fire Department and Festival supporter, Mr. Clement is truly humbled and honored to have been chosen to be the 2022 Gumbo King.
As we sat today at the fairground’s reminiscing of past festivals, Mr. Daniel remembers the many long hours of hard work. It’s people like him from our community that has played an instrumental part to get us where we are today.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Daniel “JD” Clement as our 2022 Gumbo King!
Mr. Daniel, known by friends and family as “JD” was born and raised in Chackbay, where he and his wife raised their children, Daniel “Danny Boy”, Angela and Miriam. Mr. Clement has six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Mr. Clement is a founding member of the Chackbay Volunteer Fire Department, and is one of thirty seven men who signed the fire department’s article’s of incorporation at its inception in August of 1966.
This year is the festivals 51st year, and Mr. Clement and the Citimahan hunting club in which he is also a member of, has worked the festivals gumbo kitchen on Sunday’s for many years in the past, cooking and serving delicious gumbo.
Mr. Clement’s hobbies are hunting, fishing, farming and spending time with family.
As a lifetime member of the Chackbay Fire Department and Festival supporter, Mr. Clement is truly humbled and honored to have been chosen to be the 2022 Gumbo King.
As we sat today at the fairground’s reminiscing of past festivals, Mr. Daniel remembers the many long hours of hard work. It’s people like him from our community that has played an instrumental part to get us where we are today.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Daniel “JD” Clement as our 2022 Gumbo King!