Zydeco Festival in Plaisance celebrates 30 years

    Fourteen bands in two days highlight the 30^th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival Sept. 1-2 at Zydeco Park on Highway 167, seven miles north of Opelousas. With the festival’s theme “Zydeco legends connect us to the roots a’ Plaisance,” the Sept. 1 show features traditional and contemporary zydeco artists paying tribute to zydeco’s pioneers.

Lawrence Ardoin and Tradition Creole

    Featured artists include Lawrence Ardoin and Traditional Creole, Corey Ledet, Dog Hill Stompers, Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Step Rideau, Lil Nate, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., J. Paul Jr. and Leon Chavis.

    The Sept. 2 lineup showcases Louisiana country artists after opening with Grammy winner Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band. Country performers include Chris Himel, Dustin Sonnier, Jaryd Lane and Charley Rivers.

    Tickets for the Sept. 1 show are $15, $12 in advance and $5 for children 12 and younger. Admission for social groups, riders and families of 10 or more is $10 each. Tickets are $25 for Sept. 2, $20 in advance and $5 for children 12 and younger.

Lil Nate

    Zydeco Festival season kicks off with the annual King and Queen Ball Aug. 18 at the Delta Grand Theater in downtown Opelousas. Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble perform. The festival’s 22^nd Annual 5K and Fun Run is set for Aug. 25 at South Park in Opelousas.

     J. J. Caillier and J. Paul Jr. entertain at the festival’s Kick-Off Dance Aug. 31 at the legendary Slim’s Y-Ki-Ki dancehall in Opelousas.

    Caillier leads the Zydeco Parade and Jam at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 1 from South Park in Opelousas. The parade stops by the annual Zydeco Breakfast with Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble performing at the St. Landry Parish Courthouse Square. The parade proceeds to Plaisance, where the festival starts at 12:30 p.m.

    For more festival information, call (337) 942-2392 or visit www.zydeco.org. The festival is sponsored by the Southern Development Foundation, Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission and the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission.