The 64th Bayou Liberty Pirogue Championship welcomes pirogues and canoes onto beautiful Bayou Liberty near Slidell for races traditionally held on the first Sunday in June since 1952. 

The day begins with a “Blessing of the Pirogues” at 12 noon followed by the competition 1pm-7pm at St. Genevieve Landing, located just four miles west of Slidell on Louisiana 433 at the Bayou Liberty Bridge crossing. 

The event will feature competitive paddling, including: men’s championship race; common boat race; two-man canoe race; women’s championship race; women over 40 race; men over 40 race; girls 13-16 and 8-12 races; and boys 8-12 and 13-16 races. 

The oft hysterical blindfold race is also planned, wherein racers wear blindfolds and attempt to race 50 yards around a buoy. 

The Bayou Liberty Pirogue Championship raffle will also be held; ticket holders can vie for a 14-foot Fiberglass pirogue and other prizes. 

Live music, games, and food & beverage booths also will be featured. Among the traditional race-day favorites being dished out will be gumbo, red beans and rice, hamburgers and hot dogs and snowballs. Ice chests are not allowed on the premises.  

The Bayou Liberty Pirogue Race was founded in 1952 by the St. Genevieve Men's Club to raise money for Christmas presents for area children. The annual event was later taken on by the Bayou Liberty Civic Center's Men's Club. The event is coordinated today by Mike Pichon, son of the late Junior Pichon, a key founder of the competition who paddled at the tender age of 17 in the inaugural Bayou Liberty race and worked for nearly six decades to ensure the future of this traditional bayou sport. 

Proceeds benefit area families and community park areas.