What the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Is
The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair celebrates sugar cane and what it means to the economy of South Louisiana. It is held in downtown New Iberia on the last full weekend of September, when the cane is at its peak growth, and it has run every year since 1937 except during World War II and in 2020 and 2021. The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair Association was formed and chartered in 1940, after which other sugar cane parishes were invited to take part. Today New Iberia hosts representatives of Louisiana's 24 sugar-producing parishes. The most recent festival ran September 24-27, 2026, at Bouligny Plaza, 102 W. Main Street, New Iberia, LA 70560. The next one is set for September 23-26, 2027.
The Royalty
The festival is built around King Sucrose and Queen Sugar. A new Queen Sugar is selected during festival weekend, with the selection and Coronation Ball held Saturday evening, and the new Queen and King Sucrose preside over the Royalty Parade on Sunday. Festival honorees are also recognized with receptions through the weekend. The royalty for the 2027 festival (LXXXIII) is King Sucrose George G. LaCour, Jr. and Queen Sugar Cadence Robertson of Iberville Parish. A Baby Deb-Miss pageant has an entry form on the festival's site.
What Happens During the Weekend
The festival schedule varies a little each year. The 2024 festival gives a good picture of how the weekend runs:
| Day | Events |
|---|---|
| Thursday | Farm Fest at Shadows-on-the-Teche, 4-8 p.m., with music, food, a petting zoo and children's games; Art and Photography Show; 4-H Livestock Show at the SugArena (three days); Flower Show daily, hosted by the New Iberia Garden Club and Azalea Garden Club |
| Friday | Blessing of the Crop at Gonsoulin Farms; street fair opens; Fais-do-dos Friday and Saturday; Farmer's Parade at 6 p.m. on Main Street |
| Saturday | Children's Parade at 10 a.m.; Sugar Daddy Car Show; Queen Sugar selection and Coronation Ball in the evening |
| Sunday | Royalty Parade at noon, the final parade |
The Blessing of the Crop is the festival's opening ritual and has been part of it since it began more than 80 years ago. A priest sprinkles holy water over the crowd to pray for a successful harvest, and guests learn about the sugar industry, taste beignets and sugar made from local cane, and let children explore farm equipment. The festival also lists a sugar cookery contest, a horticulture show, a 5K and one-mile run or walk on Main Street, a dance team parade entry, and vendor and sponsorship opportunities.
Costs and Rules at the Gate
The festival site has a ticket link, but it has not posted prices. Visitors should expect clear bags only, searches at entry, and no weapons.
What the Festival Gives Back
In 2026 the festival gave four students $1,000 scholarships, paid $7,300 to schools and student organizations ($3,850 to participating schools and $3,450 to participating parade bands), and gave Westgate High School $3,500 for hosting the Coronation of Queen Sugar. It also presented the City of New Iberia with a $160,000 check toward renovating the Sugar Cane Festival and Fair Building.
Who Runs It and How to Reach Them
A 21-member volunteer board represents Iberia Parish and the other sugar-producing parishes. The 2026 president was Lisa Norris. Mail: P.O. Box 9768, New Iberia, LA 70562-9768. The festival is on Facebook and Instagram as @LouisianaSugarCaneFestival.
Questions
Where is it?
Bouligny Plaza and downtown New Iberia, with Farm Fest at Shadows-on-the-Teche and the livestock show at the SugArena in the 2024 schedule.
Can children take part?
Yes. There is a Children's Parade, a 4-H livestock show, a Baby Deb-Miss pageant and kids' games at Farm Fest.
When is the next festival?
September 23-26, 2027.
Official Links
- Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair: dates, royalty, scholarships, rules
- About the festival: history, board, events
- Iberia Parish tourism listing
- The Daily Iberian: 2024 weekend schedule
- KATC: Blessing of the Crop
- Baby-Deb Miss pageant entry form
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Louisiana Sugar Cane 4-H Livestock Show and Sale
Free-admission youth livestock show at the SugArena on September 25, 2026, with 4-H students competing and the livestock auction held at 2 p.m. Held alongside the Sugar Cane Festival each fall.
713 N.W. Bypass (Hwy. 3212), New Iberia, LA 70560 | (337) 369-4441 | Organizer: Iberia Parish 4-H Official event details - Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair
Fall festival honoring sugar cane in Iberia Parish, with parades, a fais do-do, a carnival street fair, royalty and live music; the 2026 edition runs September 24-27 in downtown New Iberia.
New Iberia, LA | Organizer: Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Official event details - State Fair of Louisiana
The 120th State Fair of Louisiana fills the Louisiana State Fairgrounds in Shreveport for eighteen days, with livestock shows, midway rides and food. The fair has run since 1906.
3701 Hudson Ave., Shreveport, LA 71109 | Organizer: State Fair of Louisiana Official event details - Allen Parish Fair
Four-day parish fair at the Allen Parish Fairgrounds on Tiger Lane in Oberlin, with general and agricultural exhibits. Held each year; the 2025 fair ran Nov. 12-15 and the 2026 fair is set for Nov. 11-14.
Tiger Lane, Oberlin, LA 70655 Official event details - Port Barre Cracklin Festival
Four-day festival in Port Barre built around Louisiana cracklin, the fried pork rind. Held each year; the most recent dates were November 12-15, 2026 at Veterans Memorial Park.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.