Le Tournoi de la Ville Platte - This event is a tournament or joust, originally held in France. Its introduction here in the 1800's is credited to Major Marcellin Garand, known as the founder of Ville Platte. Garand had served in the French Army and in Napoleon's Army as an adjutant general. The Tournoi was run until the late 1890's when it was abandoned. It was revived in 1952 by a group of veterans as part of its July 4th celebration and continues to present day.
Riders make three rounds of heats to decide the champion.
Proceeds from this festival benefit the Eye Foundation, the Crippled Children's Camp and other local charities. It is held on the first weekend in November and features a gumbo cookoff, arts and crafts booths, and live entertainment. On November 11, Mamou celebrates Veterans Day with a patriotic parade and a carnival. An impressive ceremony is also conducted that morning by local veterans groups at the Veterans' Memorials on the Court House Square in Ville Platte. This festival is held on the first full weekend in March at the Boggy Bayou Fair Grounds one mile south of Pine Prairie.