Where It All Began: Basile’s Swine Roots (1963–1966)
The Louisiana Swine Festival began with the Southwest Louisiana Swine Association, founded in 1963 to support local pig farmers. By 1964, quarterly feeder pig sales were held at the Basile Town Park Recreational Building—now affectionately called the Pig Barn. These sales drew crowds and helped establish Basile as a regional hub for swine production.
With growing local interest and success from the pig sales, the Louisiana Swine Festival Association was born in 1966. The first festival honored community leaders, featured parades, royalty, cook-offs, and even a Greasy Pig Contest. It captured the spirit of Cajun pride and quickly became Basile’s signature event.
The Birth of the Festival
(1966–1967)
The festival grew alongside the opening of the Swine Producers Sale Building in 1967. While the swine market slowed in the '70s, the cultural heartbeat of the festival never faded. The annual celebration evolved, keeping Cajun traditions alive even after the last pig sale in 1974.
From Industry to Culture (1967–1974 and beyond)
Today, the Louisiana Swine Festival continues to honor its roots while embracing everything that makes Cajun country unique. From pork cook-offs and local music to handmade crafts and family-friendly contests, the festival is a blend of old and new. It remains a highlight of the fall season in Basile—drawing crowds from across Louisiana to celebrate food, heritage, and community spirit.