Contraband Days facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louisiana Pirate Festival |
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The boardwalk on Lake Charles
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| Type | Local, cultural |
| Significance | cultural |
| Celebrations | Parties, bands, entertainment |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Mardi Gras |
Get ready for adventure at the Louisiana Pirate Festival! This exciting 12-day event happens every year in Lake Charles. It's one of the biggest parties in Louisiana, with over 200,000 people joining the fun. The festival, which started in 1957, is packed with delicious Cajun food, music, and fun for the whole family. It used to be called Contraband Days.
The Legend of a Famous Pirate
The festival celebrates the story of a real pirate named Jean Lafitte. Long ago, people say that Lafitte and his pirate crew sailed through the waters around Lake Charles. Legend has it that they buried their treasure, also known as "contraband," somewhere near the city. This exciting tale is the inspiration for the whole festival!
How the Festival Kicks Off
The Louisiana Pirate Festival begins with a bang! A pirate ship sails up to the shore of the Lake Charles Civic Center and pretends to attack the city. A group of loud and fun-loving pirates, led by someone playing "Jean Lafitte," storms the shore.
They face off against local folks with pretend cannons, but the pirates always win! They raise their pirate flag, the "Jolly Roger," and playfully capture the city's mayor. In a funny ceremony, they make the mayor "walk the plank" right into the lake. This signals the start of two weeks of fun and games.
Fun and Games at the Festival
Once the pirates take over, the celebration begins! There are tons of activities for everyone to enjoy.
Some of the most popular events include:
- A big evening parade with colorful floats.
- Amazing fireworks shows that light up the night sky.
- A carnival with rides and games.
- Live music and entertainment on three different stages.
- A sailing regatta, which is a series of boat races.
- Lots of tasty Cajun food, a special type of cooking from Louisiana.
- Silly and fun-packed contests like bed races and bathtub races.
- Super-fast speedboat races.
- Special games and activities on the beach.
The festival is a huge event that brings the whole community together for fun, food, and pirate adventures. Because of world events, the festival did not take place in 2020, but it has since returned for everyone to enjoy.
