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Blackpot Festival & Cookoff turns 20 this year, with its anniversary celebration set for October 30–31 at Vermilionville, 300 Fisher Road in Lafayette.
The official announcement brings music, cooking and Louisiana culture together for a Halloween-weekend alternative to the usual party circuit.
The 2026 artists page includes Jolie Holland, The Revelers, Pine Leaf Boys and Tuba Skinny, alongside many others. Check the posted schedule for the days, times and stages of the acts you want to hear.
The cast-iron cookoff includes categories such as gumbo, gravy, jambalaya, Cook's Choice and dessert. Teams may offer samples, but tasting is discretionary and should not be treated as a guaranteed meal or unlimited sampling.
The ticket page says children 12 and under enter free. The organizer also says the festival runs rain or shine, with no refunds; consult the official purchasing information for current ticket options. The linked ticket listing currently shows online registration closed, so confirm admission availability with the organizer.
For locals planning several Halloween stops, choose a festival day, check the weather and pick a few must-see performances before heading out. Comfortable shoes and a little flexibility will leave room to enjoy an unfamiliar band or a conversation around a cooking pot.
Twenty years is a fitting reason to celebrate a festival built around food, music and community. Read More... |
Before you go: Blackpot’s ticket listing currently shows online registration closed. Confirm purchasing and gate-admission options with the organizer before making plans. |
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Halloween Week & Weekend: October 28–November 1 |
Boo at the Zoo: Halloween Morning Boux Bash |
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Teen Pumpkin Painting (Ages 12–18) |
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Today I will... |
Have Some Fun |
Fright Trail: Halloween Weekend & Sunday Scares |
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Umiya Sushi is planned for the former Drago's Seafood Restaurant building at 3151 Johnston Street, at the corner of Doucet Road in Lafayette.
An October 20 Developing Lafayette report connects the project to a permit filed under UMIYALA LLC. The property has been vacant since Drago's closed in February 2024.
The proposed concept is all-you-can-eat Japanese dining with table service, rather than a traditional walk-up buffet. Guests order selections from a menu and have dishes brought to them.
Menus at existing locations offer sushi, sashimi and specialty rolls alongside cooked choices. Umiya's San Antonio menu page provides a preview of the concept, but it should not be treated as Lafayette's final menu or price list.
No official Lafayette opening date has been announced in the reporting reviewed. Local hours, prices and the final menu remain unconfirmed, as does hot pot, which is offered at some other locations.
For now, this is a planned arrival to watch, not a restaurant ready for a visit. Check the Johnston Street location and watch for a local opening announcement before making dining plans. More details will help families compare lunch, dinner and children's options.
Until those announcements arrive, pricing and amenities advertised at other Umiya restaurants remain background information rather than promises for this location. Read More... |
Interesting Facts |
UL Lafayette’s Cypress Lake is the only managed wetland on a U.S. college campus. Located in the heart of campus, it supports wildlife including alligators, herons, turtles and fish. |
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A routine Johnston Street errand gets a Halloween twist at Cajun Clean Express Wash, where the haunted car wash runs October 29–31 from 7 p.m.
The attraction is at 3605 Johnston Street in Lafayette. It is a seasonal spotlight on an existing local business, rather than a new opening.
The official event page lists a price of $40 per vehicle, or $30 for members, with credit-card-only payment. The package includes a Cajun Gleaux wash, giving the evening both the scare and the shine.
Guests remain inside their vehicles, but that does not mean the experience is gentle. The organizer describes actors, sudden scares, noise, darkness and flashing effects, so parents should consider how their children respond before choosing this outing.
The locally owned business normally offers express washes and a wash club. Its Halloween transformation gives residents a different way to experience a familiar service.
Pick a night, check the current event notice and review the posted instructions before setting out. For business or vehicle questions, use the contact page or call 337-345-8338.
This is a fit for people seeking a fright, with the practical bonus of taking a freshly washed car home. Confirm the latest details directly with Cajun Clean before making the trip. Read More... |
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Meet Scooby! |
Halloween week has a perfectly named potential new best friend: Scooby! |
This young male Labrador Retriever mix is listed with Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center, and he's ready for someone to ask about giving him a home. No haunted house or mystery machine required, just a family ready for a loyal companion.
Scooby's adoption listing identifies him as Pet ID 118686 and says he is neutered. The listed adoption fee is $35; confirm his current availability and fee with the shelter before visiting.
Meet Scooby through his individual adoption profile, or contact Lafayette Animal Shelter & Care Center at (337) 291-5644, 410 N. Dugas Road, Lafayette. |
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Some hometown heroes keep Lafayette's traditions alive one student at a time. Musician and educator Blake Miller is doing exactly that through the LeBlanc Elementary Fiddle Club, helping young people discover the sounds and stories of Cajun music.
His work earned him recognition as one of The Current's 2026 Wavemakers at the Undercurrent Awards earlier this month. The honor celebrates residents whose service and creativity strengthen Lafayette.
Passing down a musical tradition takes more than teaching notes. It means giving the next generation confidence, community, and a connection to the culture that makes Acadiana special. Read about this year's honorees at The Current. |
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Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, making it easy to turn one night of candy collecting into a full Lafayette family outing.
Start early on Wednesday, October 28, at the Lafayette Police Department's free Trunk or Treat at Cajun Field, 2351 W. Congress Street, from 6 to 8 p.m. Families can enjoy treats and activities before the big night.
On Saturday, October 31, Lafayette's announced trick-or-treat hours are 6 to 8 p.m. Choose a familiar neighborhood route, pack flashlights or glow sticks, and add reflective details to costumes. Drivers should take extra care on residential streets.
Saturday's forecast includes a chance of showers and thunderstorms, so keep a rain-friendly backup plan handy. For the official guidance and event details, visit Lafayette Consolidated Government.
A little planning now means more time for treats, costumes, and neighborhood memories later. |
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Halloween brings costumes, candy and neighborhood walks. A few simple habits can make the evening safer and more comfortable for everyone.
Choose costumes that fit well, add reflective material or lights, and keep masks from blocking vision. Cross at intersections, keep phones away while walking, and have younger children travel with a responsible adult.
For candy, enjoy favorite treats in reasonable portions rather than turning Halloween into a food battle. Check packaged treats for allergies, and remember that chocolate and xylitol-sweetened candy should stay away from pets.
For practical guidance, see the CDC and Safe Kids Worldwide's Halloween safety tips. |
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Here's a Halloween outing with a twist: Lafayette's haunted car wash brings seasonal scares to an everyday errand. It's a fun option for residents who want a spooky experience without committing to a full haunted-house tour.
Check the event organizer's current dates, admission price, and age recommendations before heading out. For another Halloween-weekend option with a distinctly Louisiana flavor, the Blackpot Festival & Cookoff celebrates its 20th year at Vermilionville October 30–31, combining live music and cast-iron cooking. |
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Lafayette is getting a little sunshine before Halloween brings a possible spooky surprise! Tuesday through Thursday should be mostly sunny, with highs climbing from 81 to 84 degrees and cooler mornings in the 50s. It's great weather for decorating, pumpkin shopping, and enjoying some outdoor fall fun.
Friday stays warm near 83 degrees, with a mix of clouds and sunshine. But keep an eye on Saturday's forecast: Halloween could bring mostly cloudy skies, scattered showers, and even a thunderstorm. The high should reach around 80 degrees, with a mild evening for trick-or-treaters.
Sunday remains mostly cloudy but looks drier, with temperatures around 82 degrees.
Lafayette Loop tip: Have a backup plan for outdoor Halloween festivities, and check the latest radar before heading out. A little rain doesn't have to scare away the fun! |