ROUGAROU QUEEN

Rougarou Fest, an annual family-friendly celebration of Cajun culture and the Bayou Region, is proud to announce that Josephine Cassou will reign as the 2026 Rougarou Queen. The unique event, which will be held from October 23 to 25 in Houma, is frequently recognized on “best of” lists for festivals around the country. Proceeds benefit the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a nonprofit organization that is revolutionizing how we think, teach and learn about Louisiana’s disappearing coast.

Josephine Cassou is a proud daughter of the bayou, born and raised in Houma, Louisiana, on Cenac Street and in Chauvin, where culture, family, and the rhythms of south Louisiana shaped her life. She is a graduate of Andrew Jackson High School and an honor graduate of Nunez Community College, reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning and self-growth.

An artist at heart, Josephine expresses her love for beauty and storytelling through watercolor, acrylic, pen, and ink. Her art, much like her life, reflects deep emotional resilience and a connection to the natural and cultural world around her.

Josephine’s life has been rich with adventure and global experience. She has lived in Okinawa, Japan, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and traveled to Germany, Paris, France, and the Philippines. These experiences broadened her worldview, yet her heart has always remained rooted in Louisiana’s bayous and wetlands.

Above all else, Josephine is a devoted and proud mother. She celebrates the accomplishments of her two children, her son Dr. Sammy Cassou and her daughter Helen Yturregui, FNP-RN, whose dedication to medicine and service reflects the values she instilled in them.

A two-time cancer survivor, Josephine is a passionate advocate for breast and colon cancer awareness, education, and early detection. Her journey through survival has given her both strength and purpose, inspiring her to support others walking similar paths.

Equally powerful is her dedication to protecting Louisiana’s fragile wetlands. Josephine is a vocal advocate for saving cypress trees and fighting saltwater intrusion that threatens the natural storm-surge protection of the coast. She believes deeply that the wetlands are not only an environmental treasure, but a shield that protects generations to come.

These values align perfectly with the mission of Rougarou Fest. When Josephine discovered the festival and its commitment to education, culture, and conservation, she knew she had found her calling. She proudly became a Rougarou Witch and now stands humbled and honored to reign as Rougarou Queen 2026.

The Rougarou has been part of Josephine’s life since childhood, when her beloved mother would call her and her brother inside before dark, warning that the Rougarou might come. Those memories, filled with laughter, love, and Cajun folklore, continue to inspire her today.

Josephine dedicates her reign to her beautiful mother, Helen Lirette Bonnette, who loved Halloween and filled their home with joy, imagination, and magic. Through her reign, Josephine honors her mother’s spirit while working to preserve the culture, wetlands, and stories of south Louisiana for future generations.

Rougarou Fest features live, local music; cultural activities; children’s activities; Cajun food; and the Krewe Ga Rou parade.

Each year a Rougarou Queen is selected to represent the festival at various events throughout the region. The queen is selected from a large team of volunteers by a committee of festival organizers. This ensures that our queen is aware of the details of our festival since she has been a part of bringing the event to life in previous years.

The Rougarou Queen will reign over the parade on Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 7PM.