Cotton Festival
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Each 2nd full weekend in October, Ville Platte plays host to The Louisiana Cotton Festival and Le Tournoi des las Ville Platte. The festivities begin on Tuesday evening when authentic Acadian music featuring the French accordions, violin, and "te fer" (iron triangle) are enjoyed at the Contradance, later in the evening watch the fifteen-minute long French Square dance performed by young and old. Then they crown LeRoi et LaReine (king and queen) of the local nursing home. On Wednesday afternoon the local 4-H children have the cookery contest and the Cotton Pickin' Pet show. There is a carnival all week long for the children to enjoy. On Friday night you have the Fais-Do-Do dance with music from the local bands. Saturday morning the lovely ladies of the cotton contestants and visiting Queens are introduced at the King's Reception. A Cotton King is crowned during this event that will reign over the many activities of the festival weekend and is an escort for the cotton Queen that will be crowned at the Queen's pageant later on Saturday night. The talented young singers known as the Cotton Pickers entertain during all festival events. On Sunday morning, there is a beautiful harvest mass to give thanks to Our Creator for all of the local crop's bounty. That afternoon, there is a colorful parade with floats, visiting queens, marching bands, and the Tournoi riders in their silvery-knighted regalia. After the parade the ancient jousting game known as Le Tournoi is ran, the competition represents the Knights of the Round Table batting the seven evils of cotton. The Tournoi Queen, and the Ball accept the winning knight that night is the finale.
For information please contact: Kelli R. Buller
1293 Lee Street
Ville Platte, LA 70586
(337) 363-6367
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