Rayne – Murals, Frog Statues and Frog Festival

Rayne is officially designated Louisiana City of Murals. The murals reflect the city’s history and its connection to frogs: Robert Dafford was commissioned to decorate the bare brick walls of buildings in Rayne with related depictions. So you’ll encounter the frog motif not only at the festival, but also in the town’s art and statues.

Murals and Frog Statues

Rayne has more than 130 painted frog statues, each named by its owner. They stand outside businesses and at key community locations. Participating organizations paint and dress the statues; their names and clothing reflect the respective business or a personality. The murals and statues offer different perspectives: the murals depict the town’s history and its connection to frogs, while the statues are distinguished by their individual designs and names.

History of Frogs

Historical sites and businesses are also part of Rayne’s frog history. In the early 20th century, St. Joseph’s Cemetery was featured in Robert Ripley’s famous newspaper cartoon. Another historical thread leads to the food industry of the time: in the 1900s, Jacques Weil and his brothers—three Parisians in all—ran a profitable export business in Rayne. They shipped frog legs to restaurants throughout the country. The cemetery and the export business represent two different historical connections: the cemetery in Ripley’s cartoon and the former importance of the frog-leg trade.

Rayne Frog Festival and Recurring Events

The annual Rayne Frog Festival is scheduled for the second weekend in May. Recurring events include frog races, frog long-jumping and a Grande Parade. Individual events may vary, so check the event details before your trip. If you’d like to plan your stay around the festival, this weekend is the key date to keep in mind. The competitions include races and long-jumping; the Grande Parade adds a different kind of event to the program.

There are also regular events on other days of the week. Le table française takes place every Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bernard Bertrand House. The Bernard Bertrand Cultural Center in Rayne is open to the public on the first Saturday of each month, unless otherwise noted. The weekly Thursday event and the monthly opening day are separate planning considerations; check the relevant dates before your trip.

Rayne in the Cajun Prairie

Rayne is located in the Cajun Prairie, a vast landscape in southern Louisiana. This geographic setting adds a regional context to the town’s local themes. You can get to know Rayne through its frog motifs, murals and history, as well as through its location in the Cajun Prairie.

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