Not a week passes that someone doesn’t stop and ask folks in Gibsland to chat about Bonnie & Clyde and what happened to the infamous couple on a Louisiana backroad.
The curious come to Bienville Parish to find a piece of American history. You see, it was 82 years ago on May 23, 1934, the exploits of the notorious couple came to an end.
Courtesy Photo
Now, you can learn what really happened that day in 1934 because… …on the anniversary weekend of that fateful day in late May, Gibsland hosts “The Authentic Bonnie & Clyde Festival.”
This year, the festival will take place on the Friday and Saturday.
Want to go?
What: The Authentic Bonnie & Clyde Festival
When: Friday-Saturday
Where: Gibsland
Directions: Take the Gibsland/Athens Exit (#61) off I-20. Travel south on La. Hwy. 154 for 1.5 miles. (56 miles west of Monroe and 45 miles east of Shreveport)
Cost: Free
Info: Brenda Henderson, Gibsland Bank & Trust – 843-6228
Friday
- Vendors will set up booths after 2 p.m.
- Bonnie & Clyde museums open
- 6 p.m. — Lorraine Joyner Historian’s Meeting in the Gibsland Bank annex building, next to Gibsland Grill, $10, includes jambalaya. I. J. “Boots” Hinton, son of Ted Hinton, who participated in the ambush, and Perry Carver, owner of the Ambush Museum, will preside. Everyone is invited to come and learn the real stories of Bonnie & Clyde.
- 6-8 p.m. gospel music, 8-10 p.m. street dance.Outside Music for both provided by DJ Don Miley
Friday-Saturday
- Vendors with Louisiana style food, arts & crafts and other items
- Bonnie & Clyde Festival T-shirts and souvenirs available
Saturday
- 8-10 a.m. — Gibsland Lion’s Club pancake breakfast, $5
- “Shoot-Outs & Bank Robberies” at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. by the famous “Public Enemies.” Each performance different.
- 4:30 p.m. — “Ambush at Death Site”
- 9 a.m. — day-long entertainment (including Elvis) in front of city hall
- Bingo games in Gibsland Bank annex, 50 cents
- 11 a.m. — Bonnie & Clyde Look-alike Contest for adults and children, front of city hall. Prizes of $50 adults, $25 children. No professionals.
- 2:30 p.m. — Classic Car Display at Gibsland Baptist Church