Press Release August 19, 2016

For Immediate Release Contact: C�line Alis (337) 365-1540 (888) 942-3742 [email protected]

NEW IBERIA, La.--- The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival is celebrating 75 years of sweet festivities on Sept. 21-25, 2016  in New Iberia. 

The festival brings together sugar producing parishes to honor the sugar industry with royalty, sweet treats, fun and dancing in the streets. Set in historic New Iberia, the event has small town charm and features top notch entertainment.

Carnival

The Mitchell Brothers Street Fair will run Wednesday through Sunday with 14 acres of rides and games for all ages at the Louisiana PepperPlex, 607 Sucrose Dr., off Highway 14 in New Iberia.

New this year is Shadows-on-the-Teche Farm Fest held Thursday from 6-9 p.m. on the plantation's grounds on Main Street New Iberia. The family fun will include music by 2 in the Chamber, a square dancing demonstration, a cupcake walk, a farmers market, sugar cane industry exhibits, a petting zoo, food and refreshments, sweepstakes and games for all ages. Admission is $10 per family. Call 337-369-6446 for more information.

On Friday, there will be a special service and blessing of the crop at 10 a.m. at the Sugar Cane Festival Building, 600 Parkview Dr. Local merchants and residents will add to the fun, dressing up as farmers and decorating their homes and shops with special signs, designs and sugar cane stalks.

Parades
Parades will begin Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the Candy Toss Parade hosted by the Berry Queens on Main Street New Iberia followed by fireworks. The Children's Parade will roll Saturday at 10 a.m., following a free car show and music by The Cast at Bouligny Plaza. Sunday, King Sucrose, Queen Sugar and other sugar parish queens will cruise on New Iberia's award winning Main Street at the Royalty Parade starting at 2 p.m.

Entertainment
Fais do do's will also spice things up at Bouligny Plaza on Friday and Saturday night with entertainment by Side Show, Bag of Donuts, The Bad Boys Band, Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie and Jet Seven. Cover is $10 and children 12 and younger get in free. Food vendors will be set up in the plaza.

4H Show
The 4-H livestock show will be held in conjunction with the festival Thursday through Saturday at SugArena, 713 N.W. Bypass (Hwy. 3212). 

Other activities include the coronation of Queen Sugar, judging of best decorated storefronts and homes, as well as a sugar cookery contest, horticulture show, arts and crafts and photography and sugar cane exhibits.

For more information on the festival, contact [email protected] or call 337-369-9323. For a complete schedule of events, visit HiSugar.org and follow the festival on Facebook.

###