International Rice Festival

The International Rice Festival is held every third weekend in October in Crowley, Louisiana, USA. As the state's oldest and one of its largest agricultural festivals, it brings together locals and visitors to honor rice with parades, contests, music, and food.

• Held every third weekend in October in Crowley, Louisiana
• Features two parades, including the Grand Parade on Saturday
• Rice cooking and eating contests are central events
• Continuous entertainment from early morning to midnight
• Arts and crafts exhibits line Main Street and festival grounds

What it is

The International Rice Festival is a lively annual gathering in Crowley, Louisiana, dedicated to celebrating rice, a staple crop of the region. Recognized as Louisiana’s oldest agricultural festival, it draws large crowds each year to honor the farmers, cooks, and community that make rice central to local life. The festival is a showcase of tradition, pride, and the enduring importance of rice in Louisiana’s culture and economy. For many, it is a time to reconnect with neighbors, enjoy local entertainment, and take part in festivities that have been cherished for generations.

Where it comes from

The festival began in 1937 as the National Rice Festival, created to highlight the significance of rice farming in Louisiana. After a pause during World War II, it returned in 1946 with a new name: the International Rice Festival. Over the decades, it has grown into one of the state’s largest events, welcoming millions of attendees. The festival’s roots reflect the agricultural heritage of the region and the community’s desire to celebrate and support those who grow and prepare rice.

How it is celebrated

Celebrations at the International Rice Festival are vibrant and varied. Two parades wind through Crowley, with the Grand Parade on Saturday as a highlight. Cooking competitions see chefs and home cooks vie for the title of Chef de Riz, while rice eating contests invite participants to test their appetites. The festival also features a farmers' banquet and the Queens' Ball, adding a sense of tradition and pageantry. Throughout the event, live entertainment fills the air from morning until midnight, and arts and crafts exhibits line Main Street and the festival grounds, offering something for everyone.

Joining in

Visitors to Crowley during the third weekend in October will find the town transformed by the festival. Main Street and the surrounding festival grounds become the heart of the celebration, bustling with music, food, and friendly crowds. Attendees can watch the parades, sample rice dishes, browse arts and crafts, and enjoy continuous entertainment. Whether you’re a first-time guest or a returning fan, the festival’s welcoming atmosphere makes it easy to join in and experience a true Louisiana tradition.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article International Rice Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• International Rice Festival on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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