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During the first two weeks of May, Lake Charles, Louisiana, returns to the rollicking, swashbuckling days of the pirates and buccaneers who once sailed the area's rivers, lakes, and bayous. According to legend, the French pirate, Jean Lafitte, buried his contraband treasure somewhere along Southwest Louisiana's waterways. Lafitte and his crew had fled New Orleans with treasure and took refuge at "Charleys Lake" now Lake Charles. Lafitte was to have buried his "contraband" along the shores of "Charleys Lake".
The celebration of Lafitte and his adventures began in 1958 as a one-day festival of water events, today it has grown to a twelve-day extravaganza of unmatched festivity with nearly 100 events. Contraband Days (April 29 through May 11 for 2008), resembles a pirate fantasy come-to-life in Lake Charles. Most of the activities take place on the official festival site, the Lake Charles Civic Center grounds along the lakefront, while other activities take place throughout the city. Included in the events are: powerboat races, boat parades, sailboat regatta, bathtub races, pirate costume contest, crawfish eating contest, lighted boat parade, cardboard boat races, tennis and golf tournaments, arm wrestling, beach volleyball, five mile run, open water swim, Contraband Days Spectacular Street Parade, outdoor concerts with national, regional, and local entertainment, carnival rides, displays, attractions, food, a spectacular fireworks display, car show, Cajun Days with cajun food, and theater shows. So have fun & frolic at Lake Charles, conveniently located on I-10 between Houston and New Orleans.
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