Red Barn busy this past weekend for Cattle Festival in Abbeville

Festivities are underway for the 66th Annual Louisiana Cattle Festival and Fair, and there is something for everyone to enjoy. This past weekend featured the annual Trail Ride, Barn Dances, and Cook-Off.
The weekend’s activities got underway on Friday afternoon as people began arriving at the Cattle Festival grounds and building, also known as the “Big Red Barn,” on Rodeo Road in Abbeville. An impressive line-up of campers and horse trailers, some from as far away as Texas, filled the area.
“The event, chaired by board members Matt and Jacqueline Suire, was truly a happening for the City of Abbeville,” said Festival President Francis Plaisance. “The grounds were filled with nine motor-homes, numerous horses, and wagons.”
Later that afternoon, people enjoyed the opportunity to kick back, visit with one another, share a meal, and even make a few new friends. In the evening, there was a Barn Dance featuring Corky Mire, as well as Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns.
Then at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Trail Boss Bryan Dorsey led the way for 203 cowboys and cowgirls riding on horses, mules, wagons, and even a llama. Later that evening, Geno Delafosse performed at the Red Barn for another Barn Dance, including a fund-raiser auction.
On Sunday, competition heated up for the Beef Cook Off, black-pot style.
Winners were the following: 1st place, Lorraine Lebouef, “Stuffed Brisket”; 2nd place, Stella Durke, “Beef Tongue”; and 3rd place, Matt Suire, “Beef Brisket.”
The Cattle Festival pageant winners, crowned Sat., Sept. 13, were also present.
Other activities remain, leading up to the Cattle Festival, Oct. 10-12. Those events include a 5-K run / 1-mile fun walk, Sat., Oct. 4, beginning at 7 a.m., starting at Magdalen Square, in downtown Abbeville, and a BB Gun Tournament, Sunday., Oct. 5, 9 a.m., at the Red Barn (2901 Rodeo Road).