The Louisiana Swine Festival, founded in 1966, is
Basile's first and foremost cultural event. The
festival grew out of the Southwest Louisiana
Swine Association, which began in 1963 with the
express purpose of raising and selling feeder pigs
in the Basile area.
The association held feeder pig sales every three
months starting in May of 1964 at the Basile
Town Park Recreational Building that is now
commonly referred to as the Pig Barn.
The success of the feeder pig sales grew into
future promotions of the industry. These
promotions, coupled with the interest in the
1960's of local businesses and individuals in
luring tourists into Basile and in promoting our
culture, eventually led to the establishment of the
Louisiana Swine Festival Association.
The Festival Association was organized and
financed by selling $2.00 membership certificates
in August of 1966. A three member committee
compressed of Hosea Hebert, Voorhies Moreau,
and Joyce Fruge were appointed to serve as
interim officers until the first regular election of
officers was held.
The honorees of the first Louisiana Swine
Festival were Queen Darla Gayle Smith of
Prairieville, King Eldon Manuel of Basile, and
Parade Grand Marshall, Edwin Edwards, then
Congressman from Crowley.
The first King Porky and Queen Petunia were
Stewart Ortego and Jade LaFleur both of Basile.
The first Grand Champion Pork Cook was Mrs.
Allie Young of Basile. Winners of the Greasy Pig
Contest were Randy Fruge and Corky Corkin.
The festival has continued to grow over the past
years and has been held annually with the
exception of 1974.
Immediately after the first festival, the growth of
the feeder pig industry in the Basile area
continued to grow. On May 4, 1967 the new
Southwest Louisiana Swine Producers Sale
Building was opened at the west end of Basile's
Main Street. Thousands of feeder pigs were sold
there and Basile became the heart of the
Louisiana Swine Industry until the closing of the
sales in September of 1974 due to lack of buyers
and sellers.
Even though swine producing is no longer a
major industry in Basile, the Swine Festival has
continued as a cultural and tourist attraction in
Basile, not only promoting the swine industry,
but also the Cajun culture and the pride of
Basile.
 
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