Your guide to the Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair, sponsored by WGNO

A Thibodaux tradition that has spread like wildfire!

THIBODAUX, La. (WGNO) — The time has come to stop, drop, and let the good times roll at the 2023 Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair, sponsored by WGNO!

More than 130 years in the making, this event proves time and time again to be one of Louisiana’s favorites all while supporting the Thibodaux Volunteer Fire Department, the largest volunteer fire department in the nation with more than 500 members.

The first Firemen’s Fair was held in 1883 and raised nearly $250 for the Thibodaux Fire Department. Today, the event brings in thousands of visitors for a weekend of food, live music, rides, prizes, and one of the longest-running parades in history.

Catch WGNO Live on the Road at 5 and 6PM on Thursday, May 4 where we will give you a live look at the world-famous Firemen’s Fair burgers, the entertainment, and of course, the volunteer firefighters who make it all possible.

See our full event guide below. For a full map of the event, click here.

GALLERY: What you can expect at the 2023 Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair

Events Schedule

Thursday, May 4

• 5pm — Fair Opening Ceremony
• 5:00pm-5:30pm — Andrea Rhodes/National Anthem
• 5-11pm — Pay-One-Price Rides $25
• 5:30pm-7:30pm — Left on Red (Rock Cover Band)
• 8pm- 10:30pm — Lagniappe Band (South Louisiana Cover Band)
• 11pm — Fair closes

Friday, May 5

• 5pm — Fair Opens
• 5pm-11pm — Pay-One-Price Rides $25
• 5:45pm-7:45pm — Dead End (Classic Rock with a Little Soul)
• 6pm – 8pm — 5k & Fun Run Registration and Check-In Opens
• 8:15pm-10:15pm — Snapper & The Fishsticks (Party Band)
• 10:45pm-12am — Everclear (90s Alternative Rock)
• 12:30am — Fair Closes

Saturday, May 6

• 7:30am — Fun Run Begins.
• 8am — 5k Begins.
• 11am — Fair Opens
• 11am-6pm — Pay-One-Price Rides $25
• 11am-12:15pm Bunk Johnson Brazz Band (Brass Band)
• 12:45pm-2:15pm — Electric Ramble
• 4:45pm-6:45pm — Voodoo Bayou
• 6pm — First Auction Begins
• 7:15pm-9:15pm — Elise HarperCountry
• 9:45pm-11pm — Chris Janson (headliner)
• 12:30am — Fair Closes

Sunday, May 7

• 11am — Fair Opens
• 11am — Firemen’s Parade
• 11:30am-1:30pm — Gerald Gruenig & Gentilly Zydeco
• (Directly After Parade) — Firemen’s Auction
• 2pm-4pm — The Justin Cornett Band
• 4:30pm-6:30pm — Dwayne Dopsie & The Zydeco Hellraisers
• 7pm-9pm — Ryan Foret & Foret Tradition
• 9pm — $15,000 raffle drawing, fair closes

Food

Fairgoers will be met with a wide selection of food, including the famous Firemen’s Fair burger! While they are busy fighting fires and saving lives every other day of the year, firefighters with the Thibodaux Fire Department will split into dozens of teams to prepare a unique dish for visitors. While you’re there, check out these options:

• Shrimp stew
• Shrimp creole
• Crab cakes with crawfish sauce
• Crawfish pie
• Gumbo
• Boudin
• Jambalaya
• Funnel sticks
• Turkey legs

Firemen’s Parade

Crowds will line the streets on Sunday for one of the fair’s biggest events, the Firemen’s Parade. Older than most Mardi Gras krewes and believed to be one of the oldest parades still running today, the event is sure to bring thousands together in 2023.

The parade begins Sunday at 11 a.m. at the intersection of Blake Court and Menard Street. It will conclude at the fairgrounds.

Rides

What’s a fair without the rides? We’re told this year will bring a large selection of rides sure to attract everyone from kids to thrill-seekers. This includes:

• Ferris wheel
• Tilt-a-Whirl
• Bumper cars
• Thrill rides
• Children’s rides
• A plethora of carnival games

Pricing

Wristbands are available for $25 each and can be used the following days:

• Thursday: 5-11PM
• Friday: 5-12AM
• Saturday: 11-6PM

Visitors can also purchase a mega pass for $75, which is good for all hours the fair is open, including Sunday.

Auctions

Both live and silent auctions will be held through the weekend. A major key to fundraising efforts is the contributions made during these auctions. Prizes range anywhere from $20 car washes to a $10,000 custom-made boat and a unique celebrity experience. Who’s the celebrity? You’ll just have to show up to find out! All auction purchases are tax-deductible.

Schedule

Saturday @ 6pm — Behind the float barn

Sunday immediately after the parade — Inside Grand Marshal’s Den (Parade Float Barn)

5K and Fun Run

Register now for the 10th anniversary of the Firemen’s Fair Fun Run and 5K! All kids ages 5-17 can register for free, sponsored once again by Thibodaux Regional Health System. All adult (ages 18+) pre-registrations will receive a $10 food/drink voucher for the fair.

Registration will last up until race day on Saturday morning. The race begins at 8 a.m. at the fairgrounds entrance and will roll through downtown Thibodaux before heading back to the fairgrounds. All participants will receive a commemorative medal and complimentary refreshments.

Raffle — $15,000 grand prize!

Be sure to buy tickets throughout the fair to be entered to win a variety of raffle prizes ranging from cash and gift cards to a $15,000 grand prize! You do not need to be present to win.

1st	$15,000 Cash GRAND PRIZE	Thibodaux Vol. Fire Department
2nd	$1,000 Cash	2022 Grand Marshal Danny Cavell
3rd	$1,000 Cash	2002 Grand Marshal Ken Rodrigue
4th	$1,000 Cash	In Memory of Lou Toups
5th	$1,000 Cash	In Memory of Neal Swanner & Christine “Poonie” Naquin
6th	$1,000 Gift Card	Wag-a-pak, 2013 GM. Al Waguespack
7th	$1,000 Gift Card	Gaubert Oil Company
8th	14 Karat Gold Freshwater Pearl Set	Bill George Jewelers
9th	$500 Cash	Southern Trailer Works and Southern Sign & Design
10th	$500 Cash	American South Mortgage Lending
11th	$500 Cash	Robichaux Ford
12th	$500 Gift Card	Rouses Market

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