The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival kicked off Thursday with the Shadows-on-the-Teche Farm Fest held in downtown New Iberia.

Hundreds of people poured into the Shadows grounds Thursday afternoon after the historic plantation was converted into a mini-festival of its own that featured a number of games, food and music for those attending.

All of the Farm Fest games are non-electrical, and children lined up to participate in a number of traditional carnival carnival events that tested their throwing skills.

Other attractions included balloon handling, a petting zoo and a band that was enjoyed by those that sat in the west wing of the grounds, which was converted into a lounging area where people could eat food and listen to music.

“We’re enjoying it, the weather is so nice,” Janet Hebert, who was with her two daughters, said at the event.

The event served as the unofficial kickoff of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival, which continues into the weekend with various parades, entertainment, fais-do-dos, pageant coronations and much more.