Thousands Flock To Love Fest
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Everything was free on Saturday at the annual Opelousas Love Fest, including the smiles, hugs, handshakes and overall friendship that for several hours enveloped a reserved portion of North City Park.
Organizers for the fourth annual community event estimated that overall more than two thousand persons probably entered the festivities area that was blanketed in sunlight for nearly six hours.
Vehicle traffic was generally prohibited from entering the boulevard area that was limited to pedestrian and bicycle traffic,
Sporadic shuttle assistance was available, but access to Love Fest ground-zero was accomplished primarily by foot traffic.
Zydeco, Motown and hip-hop music hammered away at those peeking inside the booths, while the aroma of bar-b-que smoke casually drifted over the park.
Easton Shelvin, one of the main organizers of the Opelousas Sunrise Rotary Club-inspired project, said that in four years the Love Fest has grown from 50 booths to the 104 that were accessed on Saturday.
“Vendors have free space where they set up. This year we actually had to turn some vendors away, but some of them chose to locate on the boulevard,” Shelvin said as he rested briefly underneath the shaded relief of a live oak.
There was also no charge for the numerous items available for the festival goers to take home.
Small plants, jigsaw puzzles, books, snacks, informational material, food, non-alcoholic beverages and even used clothing were available for those checking out the vendors’ offerings.
Fortunately water was plentiful, as most of those attending walked the venue clutching bottles whose contents were necessary for hydration.
Easton said the Love Fests are not single day events.
“After a long day, we are going to start planning the next one within the next day. You’re busy all week organizing the set up by the vendors. There is also a ten to 12-member board that is in charge,” said Shelvin.
Shelvin said the event is supported by a number of local sponsors who provide logistical and financial support.
However Shelvin said it’s rewarding to see so many people assemble and enjoy several hours of friendship on the north end of the city.
“What you see out here today is what we wanted to promote; that you can hold something like this in Opelousas and have everyone enjoy the experience,” Shelvin said.
