International Rice Festival facts for kids
The International Rice Festival is a super fun yearly event held in Crowley, Louisiana. It happens every October during the third weekend. This festival celebrates all things about rice!
It's the oldest farming festival in Louisiana. It's also one of the biggest festivals in the whole state. The very first festival was on October 5, 1937. Back then, it was called the National Rice Festival.
The festival took a break during World War II (from 1942 to 1945). When it started again in 1946, it got a new name: the "International Rice Festival." Since it began, over seven million people have visited this amazing event!
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What Happens at the Festival?
The International Rice Festival is packed with exciting activities for everyone!
Parades and Fun Contests
There are two big parades during the festival. The second parade is on Saturday and is called the Grand Parade. It's a huge, colorful procession that everyone loves to watch!
You can also see some cool contests:
- Rice Cooking Contest: Chefs compete to win the title of "Chef de Riz." They show off their best rice dishes!
- Rice Eating Contest: This is a fun and fast-paced contest where people see who can eat rice the quickest.
- Farmers' Banquet: This special dinner celebrates the hard work of the farmers who grow rice.
- Queens' Ball: A fancy event where the festival queens are honored.
Entertainment and Arts
The festival has non-stop entertainment from early morning until late at night. You can enjoy live music and performances. There's also a great arts and crafts exhibit. You can find it right next to the festival grounds and also on Main Street. It's a perfect place to find unique handmade items!
Festival History and Return
The International Rice Festival has a long history. It has been a yearly tradition for many decades.
In 2020, the festival had to take a break because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But don't worry, it came back in 2021! People were very excited to celebrate rice again.
External Links
- Official website: http://www.ricefestival.com/
Images for kids
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Crowley Rice Queen Contestants in 1938
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An African American band playing in Crowley, 1938
