NEWS RELEASES
For Immediate Release
June 3, 2009
Opelousas Set to Celebrate Spice & Music Festival in Downtown Opelousas
(Opelousas,LA) - The Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, a unique three day celebration showcasing the area’s Cajun and Creole culture, is scheduled for this weekend June 5-7, 2009, in downtown Opelousas on the corner block of North, Bellevue and Main Streets. The festival will offer a stellar lineup of musical performers and plenty of exciting events.
The Spice & Music Festival will kick-off with an official ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Friday followed by a special blend of musical performances by brass band Southern Soul, Southern Soul (Swing Out) from Lil’ Fallay, Cajun music from Lost Bayou Ramblers and Zydeco from Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band. Friday night will also feature a heated Zydeco dance contest. Families can also take advantage of $15 all you can ride’ bracelets on Friday evening.
On Saturday, Historic Trolley Tours will be available from 11 – 2 p.m. where individuals will be able to explore significant landmarks and turn-of-the-century buildings within the downtown historic district. Meanwhile, the festival grounds will open at noon with a DJ, arts & crafts and carnival rides and Horace Trahan & the New Ossun Express taking the stage at 1:00 p.m. Following Trahan is Step Rideau, Krossfyre, Jeffery Broussard, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, J. Paul & Zydeco Nu Breed and Chris Ardoin & Nu Step. Other Saturday events include a Cajun/Creole cooking demonstration, a Fiddler Jam with Hadley Castille at 2:00 p.m. at the Old City Market located on the historical St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square. The Fiddle Jam will include guests such as Al Berard of the Basin Brothers, Mitch Reed of Beausoleil, John Buckelew of the Noveau String Band, Terry Huval of Jambalaya Cajun Band and North America Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year.
Spencer Nezat. Meanwhile, the festival will also feature an accordion contest scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
On Sunday, Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames are scheduled to perform at 1:00 p.m. followed by Hotline, Patrick Henry, Cajun-Zydeco Grammy winner Terrance Simien and Chris Ardoin & Nu Step. In addition to great music, Sunday will feature a Cajun Dance Contest, Pepper Eating Contest and Queen’s Spice Red Beans and Rice Cook-Off Contest, where individuals and teams will prepare red beans and rice for competition.
And of course, the Spice & Music Festival will offer Cajun and Creole food lovers plenty
of mouthwatering dishes including entrees like crawfish and shrimp etoufee, boudin, jambalaya, fried catfish and more.
This year’s Opelousas Spice & Music Festival sponsors include: Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, CLECO, Hancock Bank, SLEMCO, Entergy, Louisiana Lottery, Quik Quarter, Opelousas General Health System, St. Landry Homestead, Centerpoint Energy, Office of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, St. Landry Parish Recycling, Bodemuller the Printer, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, Zydeco Online and Mix 107.1 and KSLO-KOGM.
On Saturday and Sunday, festival admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 years and younger and on Sunday, admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 years and younger. For more information about the 2009 Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, visit www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com or call (337) 948-5227 or (337) 948-6263.
