While there is no single recurring "Smothered Rabbit Festival" in Lafayette, several upcoming and recent regional events feature smothered rabbit cook-offs and plate lunches in the Acadiana area:
If you are looking for smothered rabbit as a meal rather than a festival, these Lafayette staples regularly feature it on their menu:
Frequently features smothered rabbit as a Lafayette Lunch special, specifically listed in their rotating plate lunch series.
Located in nearby Broussard, this spot holds "Wacky Rabbit Wednesday" specials featuring smothered rabbit.
Known for traditional Acadian "smokehouse" plate lunches, often including smothered meats.
Would you like the menu schedules for any of these local restaurants to see which day they serve smothered rabbit next?
Recent and Upcoming Rabbit Events (March – April 2026)
Local Smothered Rabbit Plate Lunches
Lafayette Parish 4-H Rabbit Shows
•2026 Wild Rabbit Cook-Off
•Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026.
•Location: Cajun Heritage RV Park, Butte La Rose, LA (approximately 20 miles east of Lafayette).
•Cajun Heritage RV Park
•Description: A large competitive cook-off with divisions for Wild Rabbit, Domestic Rabbit, and Deer. It includes live music from the Cajun Roots Band and a pre-party the Friday before.
•Iowa Rabbit Festival 2026
•Dates: March 19–21, 2026.
•Location: Burton Complex, Lake Charles/Iowa, LA (approximately 75 miles west of Lafayette).
•Description: One of the region's largest festivals, featuring a Rabbit Cook-Off where spectators can taste various rabbit dishes and vote for the People's Choice Award.
•The Gumbo Foundation Rabbit Cook-Off
•Date: April 11, 2026.
•Location: Willie’s in Washington, LA (approximately 30 miles north of Lafayette).
•Description: A community fundraiser and cook-off benefiting a local resident in need of a liver transplant.
•Frequently features smothered rabbit as a Lafayette Lunch special, specifically listed in their rotating plate lunch series.
•Located in nearby Broussard, this spot holds "Wacky Rabbit Wednesday" specials featuring smothered rabbit.
•Known for traditional Acadian "smokehouse" plate lunches, often including smothered meats.
•Annual 4-H Rabbit Show: Held annually in November at the LSU AgCenter as part of Fall Fest. This event focuses on livestock exhibition rather than cooking.
Updated at 23 Mar 2026