The Whole Family Will Love The Epic 3-Day Jambalaya Festival In Louisiana
Jackie Ann
Author
While the origin stories of jambalaya aren’t 100% clear, this iconic rice dish has been enjoyed by Louisianians for well over a century. Many believe that jambalaya originated on the streets of the French Quarter, as an attempt by the Spanish to recreate paella. Since saffron was not readily available at the time, tomatoes were substituted, creating the Creole version so many love today. Take the tomatoes out and you’ve got Cajun jambalaya, which often is accompanied by crawfish, alligator, shrimp, etc. Any Louisianian worth their salt has their own special recipe that they have been tinkering with for years, and everyone will tell you that they have the best. And they do!
In 1968, Governor John K. McKeithen dubbed Gonzales the “Jambalaya Capital of the World,” and every year since then, Gonzales has thrown the Jambalaya Festival in Louisiana to celebrate one of the most famous foods Louisiana is known for.
Whether you’re on team Cajun or Creole jambalaya, one thing is certain: you better come hungry to this delicious festival!
Related Stories
The Louisiana SoulFood Fall Festival Is The Perfect Way To Say Goodbye To Summer
The Alligator Festival In Louisiana Is Back For Its 43rd Year Of Fun & Festivities
If There's One Fall Festival You Attend In Louisiana, Make It The Rougarou Fest
Be sure to check out the festival’s website for more information, and don’t forget to give it a follow on Facebook so you can stay up to date on the latest news about the festival.
Have you been to the Jambalaya Festival, or planning to attend? Let us know in the comments!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
More to Explore
Jambalaya Festival in Louisiana
What are the best things about living in Louisiana?
There are so many wonderful things about living in Louisiana, that it’s hard to narrow it down! Between famous Louisiana festivals like the Jambalaya Festival, Jazz Fest, and Ponchatoula’s Strawberry Festival, you can bet that Louisianians are always up for a good time. For nature lovers, you can’t beat the endless swamp views found at Barataria Preserve or the tree-top scenery from Driskill Mountain.
What are the most popular foods in Louisiana?
There are many foods Louisiana is known for, and jambalaya is just the tip of the iceberg. Crawfish, gumbo, and boudin are generally part of every Louisianian’s diet, depending on the season. Both Cajun and Creole cuisine are the dominant flavors in the Pelican State, and while the difference can be tricky, one of the best ways to differentiate between the two is if tomatoes are involved. Typically, Creole food will have tomatoes and Cajun food will not.
What are the most well-known festivals in Louisiana?
Every year, there are more than 400 festivals in Louisiana, so no matter what time of year you visit, you can bank on something fun happening in one of Louisiana’s charming towns. Jazz Fest is one of the most well-known festivals in Louisiana, with hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world flocking to the Crescent City to enjoy music, local cuisine, and art. Of course, chefs from all over the Bayou State test their skills at the annual Jambalaya Festival in Louisiana, while others prefer to trade their wooden spoons for their favorite fishing rod and compete in the Tarpon Rodeo in Grand Isle, one of the oldest fishing tournaments in the country.