THE LOUISIANA SMOKED MEAT FESTIVAL, OR SOMETIMES CALLED LE FESTIVAL DE LA VIANDE BOUCANEE, FIRST BEGAN IN 1993 & WAS SPONSORED BY THE LOCAL VIETNAM VETERANS ASSOCIATION TO RAISE FUNDS.  TODAY, THE FESTIVAL IS HOSTED BY A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, VIANDE BOUCANEE, INC. THEIR GOAL IS TO HONOR ALL MILITARY VETERANS & DONATE FUNDS TO AREA VETERANS’ ASSOCIATIONS.  THE FESTIVAL IS LOCATED IN THE “SMOKED MEAT CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” AT THE VILLE PLATTE CIVIC CENTER.  EVERYONE IS INVITED TO TAKE PART IN OUR TWO-DAY CELEBRATION OF CULTURE, CUISINE, & HEROES! ON SATURDAY, BBQ PITS, SMOKERS, & STOVES FIRE UP & THE AROMA OF MOUTH-WATERING CUISINE FEATURING SMOKED MEAT FILLS THE AIR FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SMOKED MEAT COOK-OFF.  OPENING CEREMONY, WHERE WE HONOR ALL MILITARY, IS HELD AT 12:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY.  YOU’LL FIND GREAT MUSIC, DELICIOUS FOOD, AND GOOD COMPANY ALL WEEKEND LONG, SO COME HAVE A SMOKIN’ GOOD TIME WITH US!