Fairs & Festivals

Festivals are the lifeblood of Ste. Genevieve.

Maybe one of the most unique features of Ste. Genevieve is its festival culture.  For its entire existence, Ste. Genevieve has been heavily Catholic.  It informs so much of its identity.  What makes it interesting is the Catholic calendar of feast days and celebrations that are closely related to celebrations like Mardi Gras but are completely unique to this part of the country.  Two of the must-see events are La Guiannée (or La Guignolée) and the King’s Ball (Queen’s Ball during leap years).  La Guiannée closely mimics rural Mardi Gras festivals in places like Mamou or Iota, LA and even share lyrics to their songs.  This event takes place on New Year’s Eve, and features a troupe of costumed and masked carolers who march from business to business demanding libations for their troubles.  

At the King’s Ball, residents of Ste. Gen get together for 12th night dressed in colonial attire and dance the customary dances, a la Bridgerton.  Toward the end of the night, a king’s cake is served, and whoever finds the baby Jesus in the cake is the new King of Ste. Genevieve for the year.  In antiquity, this was normally rigged toward a man of means so that they could be counted on to fund town events throughout the year.  In addition, there’s the French Heritage Festival that is finding new life as a sort of Frontier French Renaissance Faire, where dressing in colonial attire is encouraged for all attendees, and the night ends with dancing in the lantern-lit gardens of the historic houses.  This Festival is also geared more toward educating the public and sharing the Frontier French culture with those who have never seen it in action.