Gueydan Duck Festival
On May 12, 1977, the trademark bearing the title "Gueydan, LA.- Duck Capital of America" was recorded and validated with the Secretary of State in Baton Rouge upon the actions of the Les Dames de Gueydan, a local women's club. A few months following this, the Gueydan Jaycees promoted the trade name by organizing a group of interested citizens to form what is now called the Gueydan Duck Festival Association.
The first festival was held in November of 1977 and has grown considerably each year. Held originally on blocked-off streets in Gueydan, the Duck festival moved to its own grounds in 1980 when the Atlantic-Richfield Company donated 7 acres to the Gueydan Duck Festival and the Vermilion Parish Police Jury.
Early in 1996, the Gueydan Duck Festival Association purchased a 10 acre tract of land adjacent to the existing festival grounds complete with lighting and metal buildings for all the festival activities. The Gueydan Duck Festival is nationally known and listed on the Internet (in numerous places-and now with its own web address). It is so representative of a fact to the Cajun culture that it has been featured at the World's Fair in New Orleans and on the LPB series "Taste of Louisiana" with Chef John Folse.
The Festival is usually held the last full weekend in August. Since it does highlight the hunting heritage of the Acadiana region, the Duck Festival offers the public great entertainment with its Duck and Goose Calling Contest, Skeet Shooting, Dog Trials, Duck Dash, and Decoy Carving.
This is in addition to great food, nightly bands, Junior and Senior Queens pageants, a Grand Parade, Outdoor and Indoor Cooking Contest, and to top it all off, a thriling Carnival.
As with any event in Cajun Country, the Gueydan Duck Festival gives everyone an excuse to meet old friends and make new ones. This "joie de vivre" ensures that a great time is had by one and all! "Laissez les bon temps rouler... Let the good times roll!!"
