In Acadia Parish, where food, music, and culture intertwine to create experiences unlike anywhere else, the Acadia Parish Tourism Commission plays a vital role in ensuring the world gets a taste of our homegrown charm. As the official destination marketing organization for our parish, Visit Acadia Parish captures the beauty, fascination, and wonder of life here in the heart of Acadiana.
“Tourism is beautiful, fascinating, wonderful,” says Wendy, Director of Tourism for Acadia Parish. “It’s the easiest way to teach people about the hidden gems in your area. We always want to show them what we’re made of; our food, our music, our entertainment, our Mardi Gras. That’s what tourism does. It brings people to the awe and wonder of your area.”
From the legendary International Rice Festival to family-run restaurants, Mardi Gras runs, and one-of-a-kind community events, the APTC works year-round to share the essence of Acadia Parish with the world.
Wendy’s passion for local history and heritage is at the heart of her work. “I’ve always loved history and things that others might consider old,” she says. “For me, it’s our thrashers. We have two; one of them is the biggest one we use at the International Rice Festival every year to demonstrate how rice used to be harvested here. It’s 97 years old and it still works!”
A smaller thrasher, she explains, is also used each year at German Fest. “They show how rice bundles would dry on the ground for seven to ten days before being placed in the thrasher. It was a community event, everyone came together with their color-coded tools and worked side by side for the betterment of the table.”
That kind of living history, the blending of work, culture, and celebration, is exactly what makes Acadia Parish special, and what the Tourism Commission helps share with visitors near and far.
Tourism doesn’t just preserve culture—it fuels our local economy. “When people come here for our festivals, to eat at our restaurants, or to explore our shops, that’s a positive draw for our entire community,” Wendy explains. “It brings people here to spend money, stay overnight, and experience all that we offer. It helps our small businesses, creates jobs, and helps us grow.”
The Chamber is proud to partner with the Acadia Parish Tourism Commission to promote that growth. Together, we highlight the places, people, and experiences that make our parish a destination worth discovering and revisiting.
Ask Wendy her favorite local dish, and she doesn’t hesitate: her husband’s grandmother’s homemade biscuits. “They were about that thick and that big around,” she laughs. “She sold them for five cents at her restaurant in Estherwood long before my husband was born. His cousin calls them ‘Nanny Nook biscuits.’ They’re homemade, flaky, and my husband still makes them today. It’s one of my kids’ favorites and one of my board’s favorites, too!”
Through its website, marketing efforts, and visitor outreach, the Acadia Parish Tourism Commission showcases all the things that make our parish shine; from scenic byways and cultural trails to unique festivals, lodging, and dining experiences. Their motto says it best: “Experience the heartland of Acadiana and its celebrated Louisiana food, music, and culture.”
The Acadia Parish Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development is proud to highlight the Acadia Parish Tourism Commission as a true community partner in growth and storytelling. Their efforts continue to ensure that visitors don’t just see Acadia Parish—they feel it.
To learn more or start planning your trip, visit acadiatourism.org or stop by the Acadia Parish Visitor Center at 401 Tower Road in Crowley. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a lifetime, you’ll find that the heart of Acadiana beats strong right here in Acadia Parish.
