Lena Charles
337- 290-6048
The 43rd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
Theme: “Pa Kase`,” Le`ritage de Zarko — “Unbroken,” The Legacy of Zydeco.
(Opelousas, LA) – The 43rd Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival is live! Organizers are preparing, trying to satisfy the demand for Creole Culture and Zydeco Music. Festival executive director Lena Charles says that locally and nationwide, music fans are eager to return to Southwest Louisiana to experience firsthand the original “keepers of the culture, the tellers of the story.” The festival takes place on August 30, at the Yambilee Festival Grounds with multiple activities leading up to that date. This year the festival will celebrate 100-year Birthday of “Zydeco King Clifton Chenier,” His year of celebration and the connection to the organ of the Original Festival by the Treasurer of Opelousas. The Original Festival has presented an “Unbroken” Legacy of Zydeco” as the Keepers of the Culture and the Tellers of the Story. We will have a featured performance by C. J. Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band, Grammy Nominee & Party Starter to help make the Unbroken Connection with “The Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival.”
“This year’s Festival has expanded the Creole Cultural Experience Platform of Music, Food and Cultural Tradition to include the Education, Ancestry Genealogy and Speaking the Language. Partnering with Zydeco Unplugged, Creole Inc, and other cultural organizations to present this expanded Creole Cultural Experience Platform.”
The lineup includes hit-makers such as Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, starting at 12:00 Noon: then Grammy nominee Featured Artist C. J. Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band along with Special Guest, The Rockin Dopsie and Zydeco Twisters.”
The Treasures of Opelousas, a group of concerned citizens, feared that Zydeco (La La) Music and Creole Culture was dying out; they responded and organized the first festival in 1982. “Unbroken.” Forty-three years later, we are still celebrating and promoting the best of creole culture, traditional food and of course, The Best of Zydeco Music.
The schedule begins with a pre-party on August 29 and ends with a jam pack day full of Zydeco celebrations on August 30th For more information about the 43rd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival – www.zydeco.org or on Facebook at SWLA Zydeco Music Festival.
“Pa Kase`,” Le`ritage de Zariko,
FESTIVAL EVENTS SCHEDULE
THURSDAY AUGUST 7, 2025: PRE-PARTY ACTIVITIES
Join us for a pre-party for the 43rd Annual – Media Day-at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center. With refreshments, music, and celebration, “Big Opening of 2025 Zydeco Season.” The event takes place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N Main St, Opelousas, LA 70570.
Friday August 8, 2025, an Unveiling of Zydeco Exhibit at the Opelousas Museum. (5PM – 7:00PM)
Saturday August 9, 2025, ST Landry Tourism Zydeco Jam Session at Tourism Center (1PM – 3PM} Saturday August 16, 2025, Zydeco Unplugged at Opelousas La Vieux Village, 828 E Landry St. (10AM)
FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2025: KICKOFF DANCE
We will get this party started the night before at Evangeline Downs at 9 p.m. with the explosive Mike Broussard & Nu’ Edition, and Jeffery Broussard and Creole Cowboys’ Also featuring DJ Carl T with Down South Radio. Located at 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025: ZYDECO BIG TENT – ZYDECO UNPLUGGED
No Zydeco Parade nor Zydeco Breakfast, All activities on Festival Grounds, Booths will open at 10AM and activities under the Heritage Tent begin at 10AM. Hosted by Zydeco Unplugged and Sponsored by The Original SW LA Zydeco Music Festival, ST Landry Offic of Tourism, Louisiana Office of Tourism, the City of Opelousas office of Tourism, and St. Landry Parish Government, LCVC Lafayette Convention and Visitor’s Center. The Sponsors and Hosts provides this free event under Heritage Tent as part of the Zydeco Festival Educational Platform.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025: THE ORIGINAL SOUTHWEST ZYDECO FESTIVAL
This year’s celebration takes place on the Yambilee Festival Grounds beginning at 12 noon and winding down in the wee hours of the night. Gather your friends and family for a full day and night of music, traditional Creole food by vendors and food trucks, and arts and crafts. Enjoy the Best of Creole Culture and Music. Bring your lawn chairs and plan to stay for all events, “I promise you will have a BON TON.”
Plan your family reunions, gather your social groups for a good time with your favorite bands: Grammy Winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Nathan William & the Zydeco Cha Cha’s LeRoy Thomas & Zydeco Road Runners, Grammy Nominee Geno Delafose & French Rockin Boogie along with another Grammy Nominee C. J. Chenier & the Red-Hot Louisiana Band, Then jointing on stage Special Guest, Rockin’ Dopsie and Zydeco Twisters’. Then we turn the night over to NUZO Zydeco, Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush, closing the night and Festival out. All on mainstage Yambilee Festival Grounds, 1939 W. Landry St. Opelousas, LA 70570. www, zydeco.org or Facebook swlazydecofestival. “Come Celebrate 43 Years of Culture & Zydeco”.
