Celebrating the Rice and the People

The International Rice Festival is celebrated once a year in the city of Crowley, Louisiana. It’s a celebration of the farmers and their crops. Rice is the perfect combination with crawfish, alternate seasons and it’s what crawfish eat for the first few months.

In 1927 the first Rice Carnival was held, and Sol Wright, a pioneer in the Rice Industry in Acadia Parish and his daughter, Edith, were chosen King and Queen. The following year, Mayor Gordon H. Brunson and Miss Margaret Francez were crowned King and Queen of the last Rice Carnival. The carnivals were held in conjunction with Armistice celebrations.

Since October 5, 1937, new events have been added to the Rice Festival including: the frog derby, children’s activities, Rice Bowl Football Game, Livestock Show and judging, the selection of a Farmer and Junior Farmer of the Year, the selection of an honoree of the Festival, plus many other events.

Today, October 18, 2013 one of our own, Ian Grant Frugé, won Jr. King 2nd runner-up. Congratulations, Ian.