Laotian New Year Celebration

Thursday Through Sunday, March 28-March 31 brWat Thammarattanaram TemplebrLanexang Village, Coteau 

The Laotian New Year’s Festival in Coteau features a Miss Songkran contest, cultural show and concert including international and local artists. Saturday is the parade day, and groups or “koom” from different residential enclaves across Louisiana come to Lanexang Village to celebrate through its streets named after Laotian cities. The parade ends at the Wat Thammarattanaram Temple grounds. “Wat” is the Laotian word for temple, and “Thammarattanaram” refers to the chanting the monks perform. brOn Sunday there is a sandcastle building ritual on the temple grounds with a small parade of locals visiting homes in the neighborhood and pouring water on the homeowners. Approximately 2,000 Laotians live in the Acadiana region. Lanexang Village celebrates the Laotian New Year Songkran, their main traditional celebration, over Easter weekend. In the Laotian language, the village’s name means “million elephants.” Call 1-888-942-3742 for more information.