UPDATE: The inaugural Fall Festival and Gumbo Cook-Off is set to ignite the Jeff Davis Parish Fairgrounds this Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This highly anticipated event promises an exciting day filled with family-friendly activities and mouthwatering gumbo, all aimed at supporting local children in need this Christmas.
Organized by the Jeff Davis Parish Tourism Commission, the festival will take place at 810 S. Lake Arthur Ave. Festival-goers can expect a vibrant atmosphere featuring live music, entertainment, and delectable food options. According to Carter Prejean, the Tourism Director, “We just want to get as many people out there, to raise money for a good cause and to come together as a parish and community.”
Children will have a blast with activities like a petting zoo, train rides, a corn box, face painting, and a pumpkin patch. A $5 wristband offers access to all children’s activities, making it an affordable day of fun for families. Meanwhile, adults can enjoy live performances by Isaac LeJeune while sampling various gumbo recipes.
More than a dozen gumbo cook-off teams will start cooking at 8 a.m., with judging and public tastings kicking off at noon. For just $5, attendees can enjoy a bowl of rice, sample all the gumbos, and vote for the coveted People’s Choice Award. Judges will announce the winners in both seafood and non-seafood categories at 2:30 p.m.
Prejean expressed hope that this event will become an annual tradition for the community, fostering connections and creating lasting memories. “Everyone always says that there’s nothing to do here, I don’t want to hear it anymore,” he stated. “We want the community to come together, network, and enjoy some family fun.”
All proceeds from the festival will directly benefit local children in need this Christmas season. For more details, visit the Visit Jeff Davis Facebook page or the Jeff Davis Parish Tourism Commission website at jeffdavis.org.
Don’t miss out on this chance to enjoy delicious food and support a worthy cause—mark your calendars for this exciting event happening tomorrow!
