Iberia Parish’s Lao community is working hard to put on its biggest event of the year with the 2025 Lao New Year celebration. 

The event. Which takes place at Wat Thammarattanaram Buddhist Temple, will host a three day celebration that sees people from all over the country flock to Iberia Parish to take part in the celebrations. 

Wat Thammarattanaram is located in Lanexang Village, a community right on the edge of the Iberia Parish and St. Martin Parish borders and is predominantly occupied by members of the Lao community who turn the neighborhood into a party destination from Friday until Sunday. 

Vendors taking part in the event set up on the grounds of the beautiful Buddhist temple, which is located at the back of the neighborhood. 

Day one of the event includes the opening ceremony of the celebration at 10 a.m. followed by the 2025 Queen’s Pageant selection that starts later that day at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the annual parade starts at noon, which features vehicles, trailers and floats that slowly make their way through Lanexang Village while blaring music in the crowded neighborhoods.

The Queen’s Parade follows at 1 p.m., and then a fais do do will close out the day. On Sunday, the festival ends with the annual water festival and building of the sand castles, which are traditional events in Lao culture. 

During the entire three days, event-goers will be able to walk the grounds of the festival and sample the various foods and crafts from vendors.