Celebrations To Honor Acadiana’s Rich Heritage

By Lynn Castille

            Fall brings the promise of cooler weather and a full range of festivals for the entire family to enjoy. Head on out this fall to one of the area’s many festivals for the promise of parades, good music and good food.  Acadiana LifeStyle has compiled a list of some of the area’s festivals to ensure you don’t miss out on passing a good time.

Delcambre Shrimp Festival

Wednesday, Aug. 15 through Sunday, Aug. 19, No Gate Fees on Aug. 15, 16 and 19. $5 gate fee on Friday, Aug. 17 and $10 all-day gate fee on Saturday, Aug. 18.

            Come one, come all, to the town of Delcambre for their annual Shrimp Festival as it kicks off yet another good time in August. Delcambre devotes an entire weekend honoring the shrimp industry, the lifeblood of their community.

            July 28 saw the 2012 Shrimp Festival coronations with titles awarded of “Baby Shrimp” to “Miss Shrimp Queen” in preparation for the main festival kick-off on Wednesday, Aug. 15.  The Friday night festivities begin at 6:30p.m. with a street fair, concessions and a fais do-do at 7 p.m. with music by Blaine Roy, Charley Rivers and national recording artist Shenandoah.  

            Saturday, Aug.18 the all-day fais do-do starts at 7 a.m. The concessions and street fair open at 11 a.m. Purchase street fair bracelets from 12:00 -3 p.m. Ride all rides for $17 each day of the festival. At 1 p.m. the water fights begin. Saturday’s fais do-do music will be performed by DJ Homer Stelly, Kross Fyre, Sideshow, Jaryd Lane and national recording artist, Chris Cagle.

            All things shrimp are on the menu with food treats such as boiled and fried shrimp, shrimp sauce piquante and a whole array of other shrimp dishes. Of course, other “fair food” of hot dogs and hamburgers will also be on hand. And don’t forget your 2012 souvenirs of T-shirts, posters, cups, drink coozies and coffee mugs.

            The fun wraps up on Sunday, Aug.  19, with a 10a.m. Fisherman’s Mass at the Shrimp Festival Building followed by the traditional Blessing of the Fleet. The concessions and street fair open at 11 a.m. From noon to 4 p.m. enjoy fais do-do music by Ryan Forest & Foret Tradition under the Pavilion.

            The Delcambre Shrimp Festival officially concludes its 2012 festivities at 4 p.m.on Sunday. For more information visit www.shrimpfestival.net. 

Fresh shrimp for sale in Delcambre! Get it directly off the boat! brShrimp…you can boil ’em, fry ’em, saute ’em, grill ’em….any way dey brgood!

Courtesy of the Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Delcambre Direct Seafood program is unveiling a pilotbr frozen seafood product at the Delcambre Shrimp Festival, Aug. 15 – 19. brFor the first time, local shrimpers will sell fresh-frozen shrimp to brfestivalgoers!

Thisbr demonstration project is another avenue for shrimpers to connect with brconsumers and showcase the quality of Louisiana seafood, said Thomas Hymel, director of Louisiana Seafood Direct. “DelcambreDirectSeafood.combr has helped local shrimpers rebuild their business by selling brfresh-off-the-boat seafood direct to the public,” he explained. “This brproject takes the direct concept to the next level–giving shrimpers an bradditional opportunity to sell with premium frozen shrimp that meets bryear-round demand.”

According to Hymel, the emphasis bris on premium quality. The shrimp are hand-peeled fresh from the boat atbr a local processor. This handling ensures the shrimp retain the sweet, brnatural flavor that can be lost with machine processing.

Connie Landry, brmember of the Delcambre Shrimp Festival Association, is excited about brwhat this project offers to visitors. “As far back as I can remember we brhave had Shrimp Festival patrons ask about purchasing Gulf shrimp to brbring home with them,” she said. “With the implementation of this brprogram, festival patrons will now have that opportunity.

Hymelbr added: “As part of the Louisiana Seafood Direct project, our goal is brtwo-fold: to help the local shrimping industry recover and, brhand-in-hand, to help shrimpers provide high quality products. We brcreated the Louisiana Seafood Direct Academy, with training for brfishermen on multiple business issues like quality, energy-efficiency, brrules and regulations, and more. In fact, this demonstration project is brpossible because of money made available from the education piece. We brare constantly striving to offer value-added projects that help our brfishermen succeed.”

DelcambreDirectSeafood.combr was created by the Twin Parish Port Commission, in partnership with LSUbr Ag Center and Louisiana Sea Grant, as a marketplace where consumers brpurchase fresh, wild-caught shrimp and other seafood direct from the brfishermen.

Gueydan Duck Festival

Thursday, Aug. 23 through Sunday, Aug. 26. Free admission on Thursday and Sunday; $10 on Friday and Saturday. Children 12 and under free all weekend.

            Don’t miss the festival voted “2011 Festival of the Year” by the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals. Promoting Louisiana’s hunting heritage, The Gueydan Duck Festival celebrates everything hunting from hunting dog trials, duck carving demonstrations to skeet shooting. What began in 1977 as a small festival in the streets of Gueydan has grown considerably to the festival it is today with its own festival grounds and festival buildings.

            No festival would be complete without an official cook-off. The Gueydan Duck Festival’s outdoor cook-off features a variety of duck dishes. Part of this four-day festival is the annual Louisiana State Duck and Goose calling contests. Don’t miss the grand parade (there’s no fee to enter) with marching bands, festival queens,dignitaries and of course the festival mascot, Pierre Le Canarde. For information to participate in the parade contact: paradeinfo@duckfestival.org.

            This year’s entertainment line-up includes some popular local musicians such as Sean Vidrine and Swampfyre, Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Jaryd Lane, The Chee Weez, Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns, Travis Matte and the Kingpins and many more.

            Come on out and enjoy a good time in Gueydan, the duck capital of America. Visit: www.duckfestival.org for details on how to register for their many events.

The Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival

Thursday, Aug. 30 through Monday, Sept. 3, Free Admission.

            Join the crowd this year at the 76th annual Shrimp & Petroleum Festival to honor two important South Louisiana industries: shrimp and petroleum. Morgan City hosts this festival every Labor Day weekend on the “Cajun Coast.” The Shrimp &Petroleum Festival is Louisiana’s oldest chartered harvest festival and was also awarded the 2011 Festival of the Year and the Best Cap Open Marketing in Division III.

            This free festival offers both good food and good music. Enjoy some down home style Cajun cooking, including, of course, plenty of shrimp! For entertainment, historic Lawrence Park in downtown Morgan City will be hopping with a diverse music selection. Admission is free for this music extravaganza starting on Friday Aug. 31 when the entertainment kicks off with Vintage, a premier party band, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. Kung Fu Pineapple takes over until 8 p.m, with The Topcats concluding the evening’s entertainment from 9 to 11 p.m.

            The music continues through the weekend with the likes of Flat Line, Bandit, Category 6, La South, Brandon Foret, Mojeaux and more, ending each night at 11 p.m. On Monday, Sept. 3 the music starts at 1 p.m. with Tommy G & Stormy Weather, with JJ Muggler wrapping things up at 9 p.m.

            The Shrimp & Petroleum Festival features one of the largest craft shows with craftsmen and artists from allover the south selling such wares as handmade cypress furniture. Saturday is designated as “Children’s Day.” Bring the kiddies and explore the Children’s Village with hands-on activities open Saturday through Monday. Children can compete in field events, enjoy professional storytellers spinning their magic and a mini-street parade just for them.

            A festival like no other, this festival recognizes the working men and women of the seafood and petroleum industries combined. Don’t miss the Blessing of the Fleet, the boat parade or the toast between the King’s vessel and the Queen’s vessel with a bow to bow ”kiss” and champagne toast. Visit: www.shrimp-petrofest.org for the complete musical line-up and schedule of events.

Creole Zydeco Festival

Sunday, Sept. 2. Admission is $10 for ages 16 and up.

            The music starts at noon in Adam Carlson Park in St. Martinville for the 2012 Creole Zydeco Festival under the large pavilion. Come early and stay late at this one day festival with the festivities starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 7 p.m. Truly a family friendly event, expect a fun jump for the kiddies and plenty of good Cajun food. Festival t-shirts in a variety of sizes will be sold.

            This festival features performances by some of Louisiana’s premiere Zydeco musicians such as Zydeco Ray & the Creole Night Riders, Lil Wayne & Same Ol Two Step plus Lil’ Nate & the Zydeco Big Timers. Ask about dance lessons which may be offered on the day of the festival. Bring your chair and settle in for a toetapping good Zydeco time. No ice chests and no pets, please. For more information email the City of St. Martinville Tourist Information Center at: info@stmartinville.orgor call 337-394-2233.

Lydia Cajun Food Fest

Friday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 8. There’s a $2 “love donation” per vehicle to enter the Fest.

            Weeks Park in Lydia is the place to be Sept.  7 and 8. In 2003 the newly formed Lydia Cancer Association held the first annual Lydia Cajun Food Fest to financially help cancer patients in four surrounding parishes. Nine years later this Food Fest is still going strong, and getting bigger and better.

            Arts and crafts, carnival rides and more makes the Lydia Cajun Food Fest fun for the entire family. Join the Poke R Run and help this worthy cause. The car show is on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The pre-registration fee is $20 if you’re signed up by Aug. 31 or $25 on the day of the show. All proceeds benefit the Lydia Cancer Association. The drawing for the “Home for Hope House” in Broussard will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at www.lydiacancerassociation.org or call the Lydia Cancer Association at 367-1192. You need not to be present to win.

            Food being the main theme for this fest, festival goers can expect over 40 food booths offering treats such as fried alligator, stuffed bell peppers, boudin, red beans and rice and many more Cajun dishes. And don’t miss the Cajun food cook-off by some of the best chefs in Acadiana.

            Friday night is the popular fais do-do with The Bad Boys kicking things off from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. followed by Horace Trahan and The Ossun Express from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturday the music starts at 10 a.m. with Jeff Foreman and The Loreauville Playboys +One with the music continuing with Geno Delafose, Chubby Carrier, Blaine Roy and ending with Seasoned Soul from 7:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

            To request a vendors application call Ronald Landry at 337-365-3005 or 337-519-3131. Food booth fees are $100 and craft booth fees $50. Note: no pets and no ice chests, please!