Zydeco Extravaganza was started in May of 1986, by the Cravins Family, as a way to revive the Creole culture in St. Landry Parish and surrounding areas. It was a natural extension of the local Zydeco radio show, The Cravins Brothers, hosted by Donald and Charles Cravins. The event, which started at the Blackham Coliseum, has since been moved to Evangeline Downs Racino in Opelousas, La which allows for an outdoor stage as well as an indoor stage in the recently built Event Center at Evangeline Downs.

  Zydeco Extravaganza draws Zydeco fans from all over the country and world each Memorial Day weekend. Every year it features its ever popular amateur accordion contest which is always a crowd favorite. It is the largest one day Zydeco festival in the world with crowds numbering in the thousands. Zydeco's biggest names such as: Beau Jocque, Boozoo Chavis, Keith Frank, Terrance Simien, Curley Taylor, Geno Delafose, Zydeco Force, and Chris Ardoin have graced the stages of Zydeco Extravaganza. It's continued growth has been a tremendous asset to the revitilization of Creole culture.