What to know about Festivals Acadiens 2022: Parking, food, music times, crafts
Time to dust off those dancing shoes and allons á Festivals Acadiens et Créoles.
The free festival celebrating Cajun and Zydeco music returns Friday, Saturday and Sunday to Girard Park. This is the first fall festival since 2019 but it made its first return since the COVID-19 pandemic this spring.
The first Festivals Acadiens was held in March 1974 as a special concert by the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana at Blackham Coliseum. It has grown to the celebration it is today with multiple stages for musical performers, crafts and food.
Here's what to know about the 47th Annual Festivals Acadiens:
When is Festivals Acadiens?
Festivals Acadiens starts Friday at 5 p.m. and the music plays until 8:30 p.m. The music starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and plays until 7:45 p.m. Sunday morning festivities begin with a French Mass at 9 a.m. Music starts at 10:30 a.m. and plays until 7:30 p.m.
Where can I park for Festivals Acadiens?
Parking can be found on and around UL Lafayette's campus. Two garages will be open on Girard Park Circle and cost $10, which can be paid at the meter located in the corner of each garage. Only debit cards are accepted at those meters.
Free parking is available at Johnston Street and St. Mary Boulevard and two lots will be open on Brooks Street near the intersection of St. Mary Boulevard.
There will be no shuttle running from Cajun Field.
Who's playing at Festivals Acadiens?
The festival will feature performances from internationally renowned artists from Louisiana and local and national artists, including Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas, Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Chris Ardoin, Feufollet, Cory Ledet, Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie.
See the lineup:Who's playing at Festivals Acadiens?
Food and crafts at Festivals Acadiens
More than 30 restaurants, including Bon Creole Seafood, Fezzo's, Poupart Bakery, and Taco Sisters, will be at Girard Park serving up food during the festival. Ice chests and coolers are not allowed on festival grounds.
Culture Sur la Table will have live cooking demonstrations hosted by Chef Colt Patin, Chef Kevin Foil and other local chefs.
The Louisiana Crafts Guild is presenting a crafts fair with more than 70 booths from across Louisiana and the south.
Cashless wristbands for beverages, cash for food and crafts
Instead of using paper tickets for beverages, including alcohol, the festival will use cashless wristbands. JD Bank wristband locations will be set up to load them with funds.
More:Festivals Acadiens et Creoles launches series honoring local musicians, artists, culture
LSU, Saints and Festivals Acadiens
Listen to all of the performers at Festivals Acadiens while watching LSU and Saints football. The Louisiana Sports tent will air the LSU vs. Florida Gators game at 6 p.m. on Saturday and the New Orleans Saints vs. Cincinnati Bengals game at noon on Sunday.
The 2022 Festivals Acadiens pin and poster
The Festivals Acadiens 2022 pin and poster were designed by artist Denise Gallagher, who also created the spring pin and poster. These items each can be purchased at the festival. Some of the proceeds of the pin sales benefit McLaffy Ronald McDonald Suite at Women’s & Children’s Hospital.
Festival history:Lafayette's Festival Acadiens et Créoles is almost 50. Here's how the iconic festival came to be
When and what is the Tour des Atakapas?
The Tour des Atakapas is a joint project between T.R.A.I.L. and Festivals Acadiens that raises money for Acadiana parks and the festival.
The Sunday morning race is available in a 5K or 10K or a duathlon as a 1.5-mile run, 2-mile paddle, 1.5-mile run. The race starts at 8 a.m.
Sign up at www.latrail.org/tourdesatakapas.
What's the weather supposed to be like during Festivals Acadiens?
The National Weather Service in Lake Charles predicts sunny skies Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The highs across all three days will likely be in the mid-80s and the lows will be in the low-60s.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Festivals Acadiens et Créoles 2022 in Lafayette: Park, schedule, food
