This weekend, Cameron Parish will celebrate and honor the Hunting and Wildlife Industry with the 64th annual Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival.

This long-time tradition originated in 1955 to highlight Cameron’s rich culture and the industries that have supported Cameron for decades.

The festival supports the community. All funds raised by the Festival “promote the unique characteristics of Cameron Parish and support the youth and nonprofit endeavors,” according to festival officials. Money raised will be donated to the civic, fraternal and school organizations that volunteered at the festival.

The festival kicked off on Saturday, Jan. 7 with the Louisiana Fur & Wildlife Queen Contest, Teen Miss Fur Queens Contest and the Crowning of King Fur. Olivia Montagino was Crowned the 2023 Teen Miss Fur Queen alongside Jordyn Kelley, who was crowned the 64th Fur and Wildlife Festival Queen.

The Little Miss and Mister Cameron Parish and Miss Cameron Parish pageants are taking place today at South Cameron High School at 6 p.m.

Main events will begin tomorrow, January 13, with the Dog Trials. These outdoor competitions will test the hunting instincts of domesticated dogs, such as pointing, retrieving, trailing and flushing out prey.

The trials will take place at the home of Mitch Thomas at 5317 Highway 397, Bell City, La. 70630. Registration for the Dog Trials will open at 9 a.m., with the competition beginning at 10 a.m. Registration is $40 per dog for both categories, Puppy and Senior.

Tomorrow, the festival gates will open at 12 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Patrons will be able to partake in various craft and food booths and carnival activities. Rides on Friday will run from 2 to 10 p.m., with arm bracelets available for purchase at $25.

The festival’s musical entertainment will be opened by local band Under the Influence. They will grace the stage from 6 to 9 p.m.

General admission for the first day is $5 a person. A weekend pass is available for $15. Children 12 and under enter the festival for free.

Saturday promises even more fun. Gates for the general public will open at 9 a.m. Saturday general admission prices are $10. Saturday events will include the Antique Vehicles Showcase, the Kids Master Oyster Race, and various game and hunting competitions.

Rides on Saturday will run from 1  to 10 p.m.. Tickets will be $1.25 a piece or $25 per bracelet.

There will also be plenty of musical entertainment on Saturday, including: Steel Shot, Leroy Thomas, Three Thirty Seven and the Beau Young Band.

One of the main events, the 5k and 1 Mile Run and Walk, will begin at 8 a.m. This race, which benefits the Cameron Masonic Lodge #439, is the first race of the Cameron Parish Triple Crown Race Series. The 2nd race, the Gibbstown Bridge 5k, will take place in April and the final race, the Lighthouse Run 5k/10k, will occur in October.

The Overall Male racer will receive an alligator wallet and the Overall Female racer will receive an alligator purse.

Late Registration will begin at 7 a.m. The race fee is $40 per participant. The age groups are as follows: 1-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 plus.

Those participating in the treasured Gumbo Cook-Off will be able to enter the gates as early as 6:00 a.m., with cooking beginning at 6:30 a.m. Judging for the Cook-Off will begin at 10:30 a.m. Samples of each gumbo will be given to the judges; the public is invited to come to the tasting.

On the main stage at 4 p.m., the Gumbo Cook-Off Awards will be presented. Participants are required to supply their own ingredients and recipes that fit into one of three divisions: Seafood, Poultry and Wild Game. An overall champion, selected from the three divisions, will be rewarded “the official” gumbo pot and spoon, in addition to a year of bragging rights.

Friday Schedule

• Dog Trials Registration:
9 a.m.

• Dog Trails Begin:10 a.m.

•Gates Open: Noon.

• Under the Influence: 6 to 9 p.m.

• Gates Close: 10 p.m.

Saturday Schedule

• Gates for Gumbo Cook-Off Open: 6:30 a.m.

• Fur Festival 5k Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk Late Registration: 7 a.m.

• 5k Run and 1 mile Race and Walk: 8 a.m.

• Gates Open: 9 a.m.

• Antique Vehicle Showcase: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Trap Shooting Competition and Quail Flush:
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Registration for Kids Master Oyster Race: 9:30 a.m.

• Kids Master Oyster Race: 10 a.m.

• Registration for Oyster Shucking, Nutria Skinning and Trap Setting: 10:30 a.m.

• Gumbo Cook-Off Judging:10:30 a.m.

• Oyster Shucking Comp., Muskrat Skinning Demonstration, Nutria Skinning Comp. and Trap Setting Comp.: 11 a.m.

• Parade: 1 p.m.

•Steel Shot: 2 to 4 p.m.

•Duck and Goose Calling Registration: 3 p.m.

•Duck and Goose Calling Comp.: 3:30 p.m.

• Gumbo Cook-Off Awards: 4 p.m.

• Leroy Thomas: 7- 9 p.m.

• Presentation of Festival Royalty, Maryland Delegation and Festival Officials: 6:30 p.m.

•Three Thirty Seven: 7 to 9 p.m.

• Beau Young Band: 9:30 to 11:30 p.m.

• Gates Close: 11:30 p.m.