From chowing down to dancing until the wee hours, it’s not hard to have a rollicking good time in Louisiana. Add pirate festivities to the mix, and it’s that much better. The event, based on the legend of
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Founded in 1957
- Each year, the first two weeks of May, the City of Lake Charles is transformed back in time to the days of the legendary pirate Jean Lafitte and his swashbuckling buccaneers.
- In 1957 a group of local businessmen from the Downtown Division of the Lake Charles Association of Commerce (later known as the Chamber of Commerce) formed Lake Charles Contraband Days Inc (later known as Contraband Days Inc) for the sole purpose of developing a program to utilize the Lake Charles areas in recreational and cultural activities and to attract tourists. The group opted for a pirate theme with the LEGEND of Lafitte’s Buried Treasure along Contraband Bayou thus the first Annual Contraband Days was held in June 1958 as a one day event with a boat parade, water ski show and boat races. A few years later this group of men formed another organization called the Buccaneers of Lake Charles, Inc and added entertainment by dressing in pirate attire and costume. A “Jean Lafitte” would be selected to lead the buccaneers to “Capture the Mayor and take over the City”. Part of the buccaneer group would also dress in “City Militia” attire, armed with real cannons to try to ward off Lafitte & his buccaneers from landing as part of the entertainment. The Buccaneers of Lake Charles is the primary part of the festivals “pirate themed” entertainment, begins and ends the festivities, and promotes the festival year round.
Contraband Days receives Regional recognition as it has been selected “Festival of the Year” by La Assn of Fairs & Festivals the past three years and receives numerous marketing awards by the Association as well. Also has been featured in Louisiana Life, Southern Living, Acadiana Profile, and many regional tourism guides and magazines as a must see festival destination
Local recognition Tourism Partner of the Year SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau –May 2004 and has received many local awards as “Voted Best Festival” by Times of SWLA — June 2004 Contraband Days provides entertainment for all ages, heritage, and religion. Contraband Days began the first noted in festival history “Family Night” and is an alcohol free night for families with family entertainment. Concerts ranging from Christian and Gospel, to Country and Cajun, to Zydeco, Urban|R & B acts, Oldies, & Classic Rock are a big part of the festival entertainment. Entertainers from nationally, to regional and local are known to have performed at the festival.
Sunday May 5th, 2019 - 8:08 pm
A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out and enjoyed our Pirate Festival. To the sponsors, vendors and entertainers we could not do it without you. See you in 2020!
Is it open for Mother’s Day
Downward spiral in full effect, replace your board members & change the name back.....its not too late turn it around!
Thank you! Pirate festival for a great weekend
Thank you from kids n kream
Oh and that gorgeous game name 😂😂. A big thank you to him for being the eye candy of the night lol
Sunday May 5th, 2019 - 6:12 pm
What we are about! #AmericanProud
😂😂😂 she is going to laugh about this one
Wow she looks like she is having a blast 😂
Eating chips...😝
Sunday May 5th, 2019 - 3:35 pm
We are flipping happy with today’s crowd!
Thank you guys so much for allowing us to play Saturday night <3 we appreciate yall!
Sunday May 5th, 2019 - 3:18 pm
Be sure to catch the last day of ourPirate Festival!
Only 455 miles....
Sunday May 5th, 2019 - 12:08 pm
Who is ready to make some memories? #food #family #fun #festival
Sunday May 5th, 2019 - 11:16 am
Last day so come out and play. Carnival special today is 4 for $40 ALL YOU CAN RIDE wristbands. Must have 4 people at purchase and 36' height rule will be endorsed.
Aleshea' Watts
How was the turn-out after the storm?
We went last night for the music and enjoyed it! We didn’t do anything at the carnival part except get food (which was yummy) but the music was amazing! We were there for Steven Simon and hung around to listen to a little Charlie Wayne LeBoeuf!
Is fire works tonight
Tony Schlesinger
I thought it last 2wks
Saturday May 4th, 2019 - 10:24 pm
Live music now, and laser show coming up at 1030pm!
Steven Simon
Thank you guys for letting us play Saturday night <3 I hope everyone enjoyed it!
Do you think one day you might actually bring music that people are more interested in? FYI just because we live in LA doesn't mean we're all interested in Zydeco!
Did the laser show ever happen?
When is the lazer light show?
Steven Simon!!!! 💗
Will we be able to see it from the lakeshore beach?
Saturday May 4th, 2019 - 10:20 pm
We have something for everyone!
2007
2019
2013
Cold corn dogs and cold nachos lol. And didn’t even have any blooming onions. What kinda scam is this
And u want some more feedback.... for starters if u gonna do Contraband Days for only 1week, u need to move it. You have the Tickfaw 200 and u also have something going on in the East Texas area going on during this weekend. Push our festival up a week where it would end on Mother's Day like it used to. All of the Texas boats would come in and all of ur locals would be here.
When is the next meeting for Contraband Days, I would like to attend
Saturday May 4th, 2019 - 10:18 pm
Great turnout for Saturday night! #family #fun
