2015 Iowa, Louisiana Rabbit Festival

There is a billboard which is on display all year on I-10 (east of Lake Charles) which advertises the Iowa Rabbit Festival.  The Rabbit Festival is the 3rd weekend in March every year.  My husband and I hopped over to Iowa (pronounced eye-oh-way) to celebrate the 29th annual Rabbit Festival.

This is where the festival is held in Iowa, Louisiana

The Anticipation

A few weeks ago, I was at JoAnn Fabrics. I was in the fabric cutting line with, you guessed it, fabric.  I was patiently waiting in line when I noticed that the young woman in front of me had a large bunch of white faux-fur ribbon.

Curiosity got the better of me.

"Hi.  I am sorry to bother you but I was wondering what project you are working on using the faux fur," I asked?

"I am making sashes for the Miss Bunny Pageant.  It's in Iowa at the Rabbit Festival.  I was Miss Bunny 2011,"  Miss Bunny 2011 said.

In my head I thought.  Oh my gosh.  There is a Miss Bunny Pageant!  This is a thing that exists?  Can I enter?

Just kidding.  It's the Miss Bunny Pageant, not the Mrs. Bunny Pageant....

The Day Of

On Friday, March 20, the Rabbit Festival commenced. 
Earlier that day I coincidentally ran into the Mayor of Iowa, Ms. Ponthieux.  I asked her about what to expect.

"The park is like a busy beehive...and that brings the analogy to our school mascots [the J.I. Watson Middle School Stingers and the Iowa High Yellow Jackets]," Mayor Ponthieux said.

I had to work late but all day I was so excited for the Rabbit Festival.  I was also excited about visiting a town I had never been to.

"Do you think I should bring a book?  I wish we had time to get the new Walking Dead [Graphic Novel]," I said.

Back when the husband and I lived in South Dakota, on Saturdays we would drive an hour from Brookings to Sioux Falls to get away, shop, eat at cool restaurants and have fun.  I miss that drive.  I would read the Walking Dead aloud while he drove.  I'd make all the sound effects.  My favorite?   "BRAKKA BRAKKA BRAKKA!"  (That's a machine gun....)

"How far do you think Iowa is," my husband asked?

That was a very excellent question...

I blame my Montana upbringing.  The nearest city or just about anything in Montana is AT LEAST an hours' drive.  Living in densely populated states is still so foreign to me....

Iowa is fifteen minutes from Lake Charles.

The Rabbit Festival Music

I worked late on Friday, so I couldn't make it to Iowa in time for the full musical lineup which included Geno Delafose, Wayne Toups and Tracy Byrd. 
Some friends told me I needed to see Wayne Toups. 

I mean this with all the respect possible--Mr. Toups is Cajun Hagrid.

I am so incredibly excited to have had this opportunity!  Mr. Toups won a very much deserved Grammy in 2013! You can read his story here:  http://www.waynetoups.com/bio.html   

According to Mr. Toups biography, accessed at the link above, Mr. Toups describes his style of music as a blend of Zydeco and Southern Rock and Roll.
Zydeco is a musical style my husband and I discovered we really enjoy.  I created an equation:
 French singing + Accordian=Awesome.

Mr. Toups is also an environmental activist.  He has raised funds for the Coastal Vision Foundation (CVF).  I really appreciate this organization.  The CVF is dedicated to preserving the Gulf Coast.   You can check out more about the Coastal Vision Foundation here:  http://www.coastalvisionfoundation.org/

The Rabbit Festival:  A Tasty Experience

I had the chance to see a Grammy winner at the Rabbit Festival.  I also had another unique opportunity.  I got check an item off my cullinary bucket list.

Rabbit.

Honestly though...I didn't really plan on trying rabbit until the fifteen minute drive to Iowa.  I never thought I'd try it.  I mean...Bunnehs.  Thumper from Bambi.  Cute fluffy critters....

But I ate rabbit and I liked it. 

I have these lovely people to thank for the experience.

Thanks Roberta and Jill!

 

 

 

 

 

The food here was a hole-in-one! (pun intended)

Rabbit Kabob close-up

Jill told me that the Rabbit Kabob consisted of rabbit, bell peppers, onion and sausage fried up in an egg and cornmeal batter.  All proceeds from this sale went to support the Iowa High School Golf Team!  I love supporting school organizations.

 But wait!  What else is that?  Catfish Courtbouillon?  I had never heard of this.

I had to find out more....

Mr. Justin and Mr. Joey Bourque--Catfish Cooker Extraordinaires!

Ms. Jill introduced me to Mr. Justin and Mr. Joey Bourque who were so kind as to explain to me what exactly Catfish Courtbouillon is.  It's catfish cooked in a red tomato gravy and can be served over rice.  I didn't try this because the rabbit kabob was filling.  I guess I'll just have to go again next year.

Me and my Rabbit Kabob

Reflections on the Rabbit Festival

I expected BUNNEHS!  LOT'S OF LITTLE WHITE FLUFFY BUNNEHS!

I received no bunnehs :(

But I ate rabbit.  And I liked it.