What the Louisiana Swine Festival Is
The Louisiana Swine Festival in Basile celebrates the feeder pig, a staple of Louisiana agriculture and culture. The festival grew out of the 1960s, when local farmers organized to promote feeder pig sales; the first official sale was held in 1964 at the "Pig Barn." It has since become one of the region's longest-running community celebrations, with pork cook-offs, boudin eating contests, hog calling, live music, carnival rides, a parade, and a festival court that includes a King Porky and a Queen Petunia. The 2026 festival is set for November 6 to 8, the first weekend of November.
What Happens Over the Weekend
In recent years the weekend has followed this pattern:
- Friday: Kiddie day at the fairgrounds' Piglet Pen, noon to 5 p.m..
- Saturday: the biggest day, with festivities from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Hog Call and the Boudin Eating Contest are held Saturday evening at 8 o'clock.
- Sunday: a Swine Festival mass at 10 a.m., then street dancing and a parade. Everything closes at 6 p.m.
Check louisianaswinefestival.com for the 2026 schedule before you go.
Contests and Ways to Take Part
| Contest | What it is |
|---|---|
| Pork cook-off | Cooks compete with pork dishes |
| Boudin eating contest | Held Saturday evening |
| Hog calling | Contestants call the hogs; held Saturday evening |
| Greasy pig chase and washer board tournament | Games listed among the festival's activities |
| Pageants | Age-group pageants held ahead of the festival weekend |
The Pageants
Pageants are open to Louisiana residents in the right age groups. At a recent festival they ran in one day at McFarlain Memorial Gym on the Basile High School campus, starting at 9 a.m.:
- Baby, Toddler, Tiny, Petite and Little Miss and Mister, from 0 to 11 months up to age 5.
- King Porky and Queen Petunia, ages 6 to 8, at noon.
- Junior pageants at 2 p.m.: Jr. Deb (9 to 10), Deb Miss (11 to 12), Jr. Teen Miss (13 to 14).
- Senior pageants at 4 p.m.: Teen Miss Swine Festival (15 to 16), Miss Louisiana Swine Festival (17 to 23) and Ms. Swine Festival (24 and older).
Entry forms are available from any Swine Festival Association member, Thrifty-Way Pharmacy of Basile, the Basile branch of the Evangeline Parish Library, the Basile High School library and the festival website.
Admission
At a recent festival, general admission was $5 and children 5 and younger paid $3. Another year listed $5 for children in Pre-K and up. Confirm the current price on the festival website.
Where
Basile Fair Grounds, 200 Stagg Avenue, Basile, Louisiana 70515.
Questions
When is the festival?
November 6 to 8, 2026, the first weekend of November.
Is there a parade?
Yes. In recent years it has followed the Sunday morning Swine Festival mass, with street dancing.
Can my child enter a pageant?
There are age groups from babies through adults, and entry forms are listed above.
Official Links
- South Louisiana fall festivals 2026: 2026 dates
- Basile celebrates its roots with annual Swine Festival: history and contests
- Louisiana Swine Festival, Country Roads Magazine: schedule, admission and address
- Swine Fest seeks pageant contestants: pageant ages and entry forms
- Louisiana's 56th annual Swine Festival: Saturday contests
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Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.