Stars & Stripes/Boudin Wars

The men in my family are your typical “gear heads” so anything with a motor in it generally gets their attention.  For the last four years, we’ve been attending the annual Stars and Stripes in the Park Classic Car Show and Cruise Night in Sulphur, La.  This year, it kicks off Friday, Sept. 12 from 7-10 p.m. with a Hospitality Night and live music by Martin Duplechin at Heritage Square in Sulphur, 900 S. Huntington St., Sulphur.  The car show continues on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

More than 500 vehicles participate in the annual
Stars and Stripes Classic Car Show.

My stepdad, Brad Fontenot, always puts one of his hot rods in the show, so we enjoy going to support him and see the other vehicles there on display.  Anything goes from classic cars, hot rods, rat rods, trucks to motorcycles.  Entry for the show vehicle and spectators is free, and it is a great family event with food booths, live music and entertainment for children.

“This is one of the largest car shows in Southwest Louisiana and anyone who is a car enthusiast from Texas to Louisiana is there.  Everybody waits to see the cruise at the end of the event,” said Brad Fontenot, who will be entering his black 1966 Volvo this year.

Matt Hartman, Banks Hartman and Brad Fontenot enjoy taking
 part in the annual Stars and Stripes Classic Car Show
and Cruise held in Sulphur, La.

After the show ends, the classic cars and hot rods cruise down Ruth Street.  That’s my husband’s favorite part because they show off revving their engines and burning out! 

For me, the best part is tasting boudin from all of the vendors competing in the Boudin Wars!  While the men are looking under the hoods of the cars, I sample the traditional Cajun finger food to vote on my favorite.  The Boudin Wars takes place the same day at Heritage Square inside the Henning Cultural Center from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

“Boudin is as much a part of Southern Louisiana culture as Cajun music or gumbo,” said Thom Trahan, event coordinator and executive director of Henning Cultural Center.

A $10 ticket to the Boudin Wars allows you to sample
boudin from the vendors and cast your vote
for People’s Choice.

Boudin Wars is an event in Southwest Louisiana where local restaurants and chefs compete for the title of “Best Boudin in Southwest Louisiana” hosted by the Brimstone Historical Society and the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau.  A $10 ticket allows the holder to sample entries and cast a vote for their favorite boudin in the People’s Choice category.  Purchase your tickets in advance at www.brimstonemuseum.org because they always sell out!

"We wanted to do a food-related event here at the Henning Cultural Center,” said Trahan. “When the CVB approached us to help coordinate this event, it immediately appealed to us from the arts and culture side of it – we want to see mastery in the art of cooking. It’s a great opportunity for the public to come and sample good boudin from around the region.”

For more information, visit www.brimstonemuseum.org, www.facebook.com/boudinwars or call Thom Trahan at 337-527-0357.

Father and son, Wayne and Michael Hollier, from
Hollier’s Cajun Kitchen in Sulphur, La. won last year’s
1^st Place Traditional and People’s Choice awards in the Boudin Wars.