DeQuincy, Louisiana – The Louisiana Railroad Days Festival in DeQuincy is gearing up for its highly anticipated return in 2025, promising a weekend filled with community spirit, history, and family-friendly activities. Scheduled from April 10 to April 12, the festival will take place at the Railroad Museum Park in DeQuincy, Louisiana, a town historically intertwined with the railroad industry. The musical headliner this year is well-known Louisiana musician Wayne Toups.
View a full list of events below the article.
The festival opens on Thursday, April 10, with a ceremonial kickoff at 4:30 PM, followed by the opening of vendor booths and carnival rides. One of the highlights of the evening will be the 2025 Louisiana Railroad Days Pageant, where local royalty will be crowned. Activities continue through the weekend, featuring a parade, live music, and various performances by local artists.
Children will have a dedicated event on Friday at 4:30 PM, including a scavenger hunt and sack races for different grade levels, ensuring that younger attendees have engaging activities to enjoy.
Saturday is packed with events starting early with the “Run the Rails!” 5K Fun Run/Walk, followed by the festival opening at 9:00 AM. The day will feature a variety of performances, recognition of visiting dignitaries, and contests, including a Bring Your T-Shirt contest. Additionally, attendees can look forward to the Railroad Idol competition, showcasing local talent.
As always, the festival maintains its commitment to being family-oriented and alcohol-free, ensuring a welcoming environment for all community members. Local businesses, clubs, churches, and schools will also contribute to the festival, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that has characterized the event since its inception.
The Louisiana Railroad Days Festival is more than just a celebration; it is a testament to the enduring legacy of railroads in DeQuincy and their role in shaping the community. With a diverse range of activities planned, the festival promises to be an exciting opportunity for families and visitors alike to enjoy the rich history and vibrant culture of the area.
Louisiana Railroad Days Festival 2025 – Schedule of Events
📍 Location: DeQuincy, Louisiana
📅 Thursday, April 10, 2025
- 4:30 PM – Festival Opening Ceremony
- 5:00 PM – Vendor Booths Open
- 5:00 PM – Carnival Rides & Model Train Show Open
- 5:15 PM – DHS Choir Performance
- 7:00 PM – 2025 LA Railroad Days Pageant
- 11:00 PM – Festival Closes
📅 Friday, April 11, 2025
- 1:00 PM – Festival Opens
- Vendor Booths Open
- Carnival Rides Open
- Model Train Show
- Music by Deep South Productions
- 2:00 PM – Parade Line-Up (Pinehill Piggly Wiggly)
- 3:00 PM – Parade Begins
- 3:45 PM – Introduction of 2025 Festival Royalty & Parade Marshal
- 4:30 PM – Children’s Events
- 6:00 PM – Gospel Night Featuring Local Talent
- CrossPoint Community Church Kids
- Jimmy Hennegan, Kayli Williams, Brittany Williams, Ashton Smith
- Calvary Apostolic Church – Stars
- The Grace Home Singers
- 7:00-8:15 PM – Gospel Night Headliners
- Lauren Talley, Amber E. Saunders, Kema Turner
- 11:00 PM – Festival Closes
📌 Children’s Events on Friday, April 11 at 4:30 PM
- Scavenger Hunt for 6th-8th Grade (Festival Grounds)
- Sack Races:
- 4:30-5:00 PM – 1st-3rd Grade
- 5:00-5:30 PM – 4th-6th Grade
- 5:30-6:00 PM – 7th-8th Grade
- Sponsored by DFSL & DeQuincy Memorial Hospital
📅 Saturday, April 12, 2025
- 8:30 AM – RUN THE RAILS! 5K Fun Run/Walk (Sponsored by Our Lady of LaSalette Youth)
- 9:00 AM – Festival Opens
- Vendor Booths Open
- Carnival Rides Open
- Model Train Show
- 10:00 AM – Old Timers Reunion (Methodist Gym)
- 10:00 AM – Bring Your T-Shirt Contest
- 10:30 AM – Recognition of Queens & Visiting Dignitaries
- 11:00 AM – Railroad Idol
- 12:00 PM – Gumbeaux Gator Performance
- 2:30-3:30 PM – Brad Broussard/Chute 13 Performance
- 4:15-5:30 PM – Joel Harmon & The Harmonies Performance
- 6:30 PM – 26 West Performance
- 8:00 PM – Wayne Toups Performance
- 11:00 PM – Festival Closes
🎭 Louisiana Railroad Days Festival Pageants
- Little Pageant (Ages 0-14)
- 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 5, 2025 – DeQuincy Methodist Gym
- Miss & Mr. Ages 15-23
- 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 10, 2025 – Railroad Museum Park Main Stage