SPICE & MUSIC FESTIVAL KICKS OFF HOT WHEELS BIKE PARADE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2011


(Opelousas, LA) –In conjunction with the Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, the first annual Hot Wheels Bike Parade is scheduled for Thursday, June 2, at 6:00 p.m. The bike parade will begin and end at South City Park.  Participants should bring their bicycles, wagons and strollers.  Prizes will be given for best decorated “wheels.” The top three “wheels” will win prizes.  Participants will be eligible for prize drawings that will take place after the parade.

Everyone is invited to participate in this “cruising” event.  Please arrive at South City Park, 1524 S. Market Street, Opelousas at 6 p.m.  The bike parade will proceed down Court Street and then return to the park via Market Street.
Safety is very important, so helmets are strongly encouraged for all riders.  The bike parade will be escorted by the Opelousas Police Department through all intersections.  There is no charge to participate in the Hot Wheels Bike Parade.  For more bike parade info, contact Jennifer Castille at 337-945-4969 or via email at jenncas@bellsouth.netjenncas@bellsouth.netjenncas@bellsouth.net

The 7th annual Opelousas Spice & Music Festival is scheduled for June 2-5 in historic Opelousas.  A special blend of musical performances are scheduled throughout the festival event including Geno Delafose, Chris Ardoin, Jeffery Broussard, Leon Chavis, Cupid, Matthew Ewing & Fueling Fire, Warren Storm, Willie Tee and Cyprus, Chubby Carriere, Percy Sledge and more.  On Saturday, international Cajun fiddler Hadley Castille will present a uniquely different Fiddle Workshop Concert & Jam Session nearby at the Opelousas Little Theatre building.  Carnival rides will also open on Thursday featuring family night and $15 all you can ride bracelets.  Rides will continue through Sunday.

And of course, the Spice & Music Festival will offer Cajun and Creole food lovers plenty of mouthwatering dishes including entrees like crawfish etoufee, alligator sausage, jambalaya, red beans and rice, fried catfish and more.  In addition to great music and mouthwatering food, the festival will include activities such as Arts & Crafts vendors, Cajun and Creole Cooking Demonstrations, a Cajun and Zydeco Dance Contest, Pepper Eating Contest, Queen’s Bar-B-Que Cook-Off and an art exhibit featuring the work of this year’s festival poster artist, Michelle Fontenot. 

South City Park is located at 1524 S. Market Street, Opelousas, LA and is easy to access from Interstate I-49 and Hwy 190. There is plenty of free parking in designated parking areas where shuttles will run to and from the festival. These areas include the Opelousas Civic Center on Creswell Lane Ext., Andy’s Supermarket on Hwy 182 North next to Chicken King, and the former Rite-Aid parking lot located next to Piggly Wiggly on Heather Drive.  RV accommodations are also available at South City Park.   

This year’s Opelousas Spice & Music Festival sponsors include:  Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, SLEMCO, Savoie Foods, Wal-Mart, Cleco, CenterPoint Energy, Louisiana Lottery, Quik Quarter, Opelousas General Health System, Louisiana Office of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, IESI, Raising Canes, St. Landry Parish Recycling, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, Zydeco Online, Snap 103.7, KSLO Radio, Kool 107.1 and Bodemuller the Printer.
Pre-sale carnival ride tickets are available at the City of Opelousas Tourist Information Center and are priced at $1 per ticket.  The pre-sale tickets offer a half-off discount.  Pre-sale tickets will be on sale until Thursday June 2, 2011.  For more information contact Angela at 337-948-7179. The City of Opelousas Tourist Information Center is located at 828 E. Landry Street across for Mikey’s Donuts.  

For more information about the 2011 Opelousas Spice & Music Festival, visit www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com or call (337) 948-5227 or (337) 948-6263.