by Wilbert Carmouche
Pockin’ on the Bayou in Cottonport, April 16, 2022 contact 318.876.3485 for festival information.
Knocking on the Square in Markville, April 17, 2022 contact 318.305.8088 for times!
In 2011, the State Legislature proclaimed Avoyelles Parish as the “Egg-Knocking Capital of the World.”
Louisiana Representative Robert Johnson from Avoyelles said the parish deserves the recognition
because of the long-standing tradition in his parish. He said each Easter Sunday, residents of the
parish gather after religious services at the courthouse in Marksville to do battle with dyed, boiled
eggs in hand.
Cottonport and Effie hold their egg knocking festival competitions on Saturday of the
Easter Weekend.
He said the battle is known as "pocking," based on the Cajun French term “Pacques Pacques,” or “Easter Easter,” and the sound made when the eggs collide.
The WINNER is “the last person standing with an uncracked, unbroken egg,” Johnson said.
