SWLA Spring Festival Guide

In Southwest Louisiana, we’re proud of our culture and heritage, and we celebrate our favorite things best through our many festivals. The region is home to over 70 festivals each year. Here’s a lineup of what Spring 2022 has to offer.

Live @ the Lakefront

March 11, 18, 25; 5:30 p.m.

Admission free

artscouncilswla.org

Live @ the Lakefront turns 10 years old this year! The ever-popular concert series is presented by The Arts & Humanities Council of SWLA, First Federal Bank of Louisiana, and the City of Lake Charles, and promises to bring the greatest local bands down to the lake for three Friday evenings of great music, food and drinks, and art. 

Lineup:

March 11 – Washington-Marion Marching Band, Justin Martindale, Zydepokes and The Main Entrée. The good times continue the next weekend on Friday, 

March 18 – St. Louis Show Choir, Swampland String Band, Red Dirt Revue and Jarvis Jacob & the Gents. The series will conclude on Friday, 

March 25 – Lake Charles College Prep Marching Band, Bluesiana Red, McNeese Jazz Ensemble and The Flamethrowers. 

Black Heritage Festival

March 10 -13

Lake Charles Civic Center

www.blackheritagefest.com

Events:

Senior Citizen Bingo – Thursday, March 10, 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Lake Charles MLK Center. Free to all seniors 50 and above. Multiple prizes and lunch provided.

Formal Gala and Dinner – Friday, Mar. 11, 8:00 p.m. to midnight, Magnolia House Event Center. Tickets and tables available for purchase.

Main festival day, Saturday, Mar. 12, Lake Charles Civic Center. Parade at 11:00 a.m. with Day Festival inside the Civic Center until 6:00 p.m.

Gospel Extravaganza – Sunday, Mar. 13, 5:00 p.m. at United Christian Fellowship 

SWLA Garden Conference & Expo 2022

March 25-26, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Burton Coliseum, 7001 Gulf Hwy., 

Lake Charles

Admission $3 for adults and free for children 12 and under

Contact Robert Turley at 337-721-4080 or e-mail: RTurley@agcenter.lsu.edu

The Southwest Louisiana Garden Conference & EXPO celebrates gardening with its 22nd Annual Conference, Show and Plant Extravaganza featuring gardening, flowers, trees, shrubs, garden accessories, books, demonstrations, educational lectures, and general garden tools. Area, regional and interstate exhibitors, and vendors will be there to assist you with your plant and garden needs. The Federated Garden Clubs of Southwest Louisiana will display their floral design and horticulture talents. There will be new and exciting educational programs about garden topics of interest by LSU AgCenter specialist, as well as, regional, and state guest speakers. The EXPO attracts over 3,000 garden lovers, residents, and visitors each year. There will be a Plant Health Clinic with professionals from the LSU AgCenter as well as Master Gardener volunteers who will help diagnose plant problems and answer garden questions. Educational garden seminars will be on-going throughout the two-day event. The 4-H Cart Service will help EXPO-goers carry out items to their vehicles.

Spring Art Walk 

April 30, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. 

Ryan St., Downtown Lake Charles.

Free admission

www.artscouncilswla.org

Pop-up galleries, Art Market, Art Wars competition, live music, food trucks . . . come celebrate our vibrant arts community!

Louisiana Beer Festival

May 7, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Historic City Hall and Courthouse Grounds at intersection of Ryan and Kirby Sts., Lake Charles

Tickets $50 general admission, $100 VIP

By tickets at www.louisianabeerfestival.com

The Louisiana Beer Festival celebrates its 6th year. Attendees can experience a selection of over 100 Louisiana and American craft beers, meads, and ciders.

VIP access starts at 12 noon, and VIP ticket holders can expect premium samplings along with food pairings courtesy of 1910 Restaurant and Wine Bar.

The event benefits four local nonprofit organizations: 

Arts & Humanities | Devin Corbello devanc@artscouncilswla.org

Do Good Dog Rescue | Amanda Cusey acusey1983@gmail.com

Downtown Business Association | Jay Ecker jayecker@hotmail.com

SWLA Abolitionists | Rusty Havens swlaa@swlaAbolitionists.com

To volunteer, contact your choice of organization or email Nick Villaume, nick@boomboxpops.com. 

To be a vendor, contact Sara Lasher, 

sara@saralasher.com. For sponsorship inquiries, contact Mike Cironi, mike.cironi@gmail.com. 

Louisiana Pirate Festival

April 28 – May 7

Lake Charles Lakefront/Civic Center

Admission free

www.louisianapiratefestival.com

This family-friendly festival celebrates their 65th year and highlights the pirate history of Louisiana, the joie ‘de vive of living in Southwest Louisiana, and showcases local artists and music groups. Other events include a Buccaneer reenactment with live cannon fire where pirates capture the mayor and take over the city; a carnival and rides by Todd Armstrong Shows; a Gymfit adventure course for kids that specializes in Ninja Warrior, Circus Arts, Parkour and Fitness; dog parades, off-road and on road car shows, BBQ cookoffs and more. 

For more information, go to www.louisianapiratefestival.com, call 337-474-0006 or email info@louisianapiratefestival.com.