For those familiar with Fannin County, it should come as no surprise that the county's inaugural Cochon de Lait Festival was held in a place that has become the cultural center of the area.

The Creative Arts Center in Bonham has already accumulated a long list of accomplishments in its eight years of existence, but friends and supporters of the remarkable arts and cultural facility celebrated yet another first Friday night by holding one of the first Cochon de Lait Festivals in North Texas.

"It's the end of winter and we're welcoming the arrival of spring," explained Creative Arts Center Executive Director Barbara Reeves. 

The weather couldn't have been more pleasant Friday evening, with clear skies and temperatures in the 60s.

"It's a beautiful night in the Creative Arts Center Garden for friends to celebrate the first day of spring," Reeves added.

And to help them celebrate the occasion, the amazing Bois d'Arc Dixieland Jazz Band played throughout the evening. 

The aroma of a wood fire filled the garden and guests quickly found out why the delicious and tender main course is quickly making cochon de lait a favorite across the country.

Cochon de lait is a traditional Cajun pig roast of a whole young pig, marinated and slow-cooked for several hours.  In years past, cochon de lait could only be found in rural Louisiana, but these days this traditional meal is becoming a favorite at festivals across the country as well as a staple of many of today's top young chefs hoping to recapture the flair of local cuisine.

The mother of all Cochon de Lait festivals was first held on Mother’s Day Weekend in 1960 in Mansura, Louisiana. However, in 1972, the public went whole hog for this event. 

A crowd estimated at 100,000 came pouring into town to celebrate the original Cochon de Lait Festival, overwhelming the small town's 2,000 residents, who decided a good idea had gotten out of hand and cancelled the festival.   Finally, in 1987, the folks in Mansura decided to bring back Cochon de Lait.

Warren and Janell Jamieson

As if the camaraderie and wonderful food at Fannin County's first Cochon de Lait wasn't enough, Creative Arts Center also presented prizes for the best-dressed male and female at the festival.

Kathryn Rodgers was the unanimous winner in the female category.

Shep Stahel edged out a large and competitive crowd of contenders in the male division and he felt like his three-block pants probably put him over the top.

"I had to chase some guy three blocks to get these pants," Shep explained.