Louisiana is a state filled with festivals dedicated to local favorites. There are celebrations of obvious subjects like music and art, but the state goes one step further with festivals devoted to more unlikely interests like crawfish, watermelons, rabbits, strawberries and even some plant life.
The New Iberia Parks and Recreation Department will host the 17th annual Festival of Live Oaks and Barbecue Cook-Off. The event will be held Saturday in City Park in New Iberia. Since its inception, the Festival of Live Oaks has become a staple of Iberia Parish life. For the last 17 years, the New Iberia Parks and Recreation Department has been able to bring citizens a day of food and fun in the sun and shade, thanks to the live oaks filling the park.
“It’s the history of the oaks being in the park. We’ve got hundreds. It’s beautiful,” said department director Tony Migues.
Knowledge of oak trees is second nature to many Louisianans, most of whom know that oaks act as a timestamp for an area.
The cook-off has accompanied the festival each year. The department teams up with the New Iberia Knights of Columbus to feed the masses attending the event. Along with the food, the Festival of Live Oaks prompts intrigue by the presence of the oak trees in the park, some of which are more than 100 years old.
Aside from the cook-off, the festival will offer a number of activities for adults and children to enjoy. Train rides, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides and a petting zoo will all be available to patrons.
In addition, some Louisiana musicians will be appearing at the Festival of Live Oaks. Swamp pop legend T.K. Hulin is scheduled to play as well as Donna Angelle and her Zydeco Posse. New Iberia mayor Hilda Curry is expected to make an appearance at the event.
City Park’s many live oaks help to form the backdrop for the festival’s activities. Along with their aesthetic aspect, the oaks help townspeople to consider their city’s history. The oaks’ presence represents Louisiana’s literal and figurative roots as a state rich in history and natural value.
Migues predicts a strong public turnout on Saturday.
“God’s blessed us every year with good weather, so I think it’s going to happen again this year. I’m expecting a nice crowd … 2,500 to 3,000 people,” Migues said. “People are coming out as a family to listen to the music and let the kids partake in all the events that we have.”
The Festival of Live Oaks offers people the opportunity to enjoy all of these events while staying cool in the shade of City Park’s naturally occurring testaments to Louisiana nature.
“It’s going to be a great day for everyone,” Migues said.

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