Booths were stationed on both sides of a walkway in City Park. 

Spring in the Teche Area was in full swing Saturday when hundreds made their way to New Iberia City Park Saturday to celebrate the park’s annual Festival of Live Oaks event.

The event, which includes everything from barbecue cookoffs to live music, was greatly expanded after it combined with the New Iberia Spring Craft event that also annually takes place at the same location.

Dozens of vendors were on-site at City Park, stationed outside in the tennis court and nearby walkways so each booth could promote and sell their wares to event-goers who were also there to enjoy the Festival of Live Oaks.

“It’s been really nice,” Kaleigh Trahan, who was operating a booth in City Park Saturday afternoon, said. “The weather has been great and we’re getting a lot of (visitors).”

Craft makers, chefs, small businesses and local residents looking to promote their unique products were all able to grab a spot for the festival, and with the two-event combination the booths were stationed outside rather than inside Cyr-Gates Community Center as usual.

The Festival of Live Oaks is a 30-year staple for the New Iberia Parks and Recreation System, and offers a unique venue inside City Park where the area’s oak trees and unique natural environment are most prominent for those attending.

Fun jumps, games and face painting were all available for children, as well as a stage set near the back of the park where Donna Angelle and the Zydeco Posse played a live set for those attending.

Adult Teams:

Amateur Ribs:

1st: Cleco (Dexter Olivier)

Amateur Chicken:

1st: Cleco (Dexter Olivier)

2nd: Chopper (Mose Gaddison)

Amateur Roadkill: 

1st: Chopper (Mose Gaddison)

Amateur Brisket:

1st: Aurora Lodge No. 193 (Chris Dugan)

Professional Ribs: 

1st: Iberia Medical Center (Buddy Howell)

2nd: Vern’s Bar-B-Que & Catering (Vern Mitchell)

Professional Chicken: 

1st: Iberia Medical Center (Buddy Howell)

2nd: Vern’s Bar-B-Que & Catering (Vern Mitchell)

Professional Roadkill:

1st: Iberia Medical Center (Buddy Howell)

2nd: Vern’s Bar-B-Que & Catering (Vern Mitchell)

Professional Brisket: 

1st: Iberia Medical Center (Buddy Howell)

2nd: Vern’s Bar-B-Que & Catering (Vern Mitchell)

3rd: Roux-Ga-Roux

Professional Sides: 

1st: Roux-Ga-Roux

Professional Sauce: 

1st: Roux-Ga-Roux

Junior Cookoff

Hamburger (Ages 6-10):

1st: Aline Gachassin (Team Aline)

2nd: Taynslee Holliday (Team Burger Queen)

3rd: Presley Segura (Team Presley’s Pattie)

Pork Chop (Ages 11-16):

1st: Jackson Alderman (Team Roux-Ga-Roux)

Highest Score Overall:

Grand Champion: Jackson Alderman

Reserve Champion: Aline Gachassin