Carlyss, Louisiana's Bon Ton Festival Returns for Its 50th Year

KNGT | Carlyss, LA — There are some events around Southwest Louisiana that just feel like home, and the Bon Ton Festival in Carlyss is one of them. This year is extra special because the 50th Annual St. Theresa Catholic Church Bon Ton Festival is set for September 18th through September 20th, 2026. This years Entertainment Lineup is going to be over the top.

If you grew up around here like I did, then you already know what this means. Good food. Good music. A few dollars spent on bingo. Kids riding rides until they're worn out. Somebody's Maw Maw bringing home a cake from the cake walk. Somebody's Paw Paw telling stories that get a little bigger every year.

The best part, FREE Admission and FREE Parking.

Bon Ton Festival Schedule of Events

Friday (September 18th)
4:30 p.m. -- Opening Ceremony
5:00 p.m. -- The Rides and Festival Grounds Open (5:00 - 10 p.m.)

LIVE Music on Stage
5:00 p.m. -- Hunter Courville (5 to 7:30 p.m.)
8:00 p.m. -- Steve Riley (8 until 10 p.m.)

Saturday (September 19th)
11:00 a.m. -- The first ride session (11 a.m. until 4 p.m.)
Mass will be held inside the church at 4 p.m., and the live auction starts at 5 p.m.
5:00 p.m. -- The second ride session (5 until 10 p.m.)

LIVE Music on Stage
11:00 a.m. -- Dani LaCour (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.)
12:30 a.m. -- The Bon Ton Queen Presentation (12:30 until 1 p.m.)
2:00 p.m. -- Boomerang (2 until 4 p.m.)
5:00 p.m. -- Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Road Runners (5 until 7:30 p.m.)
7:45 p.m. -- Fireworks
8:00 p.m. -- Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin' Cajuns (8 until 10 p.m.)

Sunday (September 20th)
11:00 a.m. -- The final ride session (11 a.m. until 4 p.m.)

LIVE Music on Stage
11:00 a.m. -- Damon Troy (11 a.m. until 2 p.m.)

You'll also find plenty of things happening all weekend long, including:

Twenty-five-cent bingo
Cake walks
A garage sale
Vendor markets
Plenty of food
Rides for the kids

I've always loved festivals like this because they're about a whole lot more than music and food. They're about neighbors catching up, kids making memories, and families spending time together. So make plans to come out and have a great time at the St. Theresa Catholic Church located at 4822 Carlyss Drive. Sulphur, LA 70663

In Southwest Louisiana, we don't need much of an excuse to get together. Give us some fried food, live music, a few carnival rides, and a chance to visit with old friends, and we're happy. Something tells me the 50th annual Bon Ton Festival is gonna be one folks remember for a long time. I'll see y'all in Carlyss.