Featured Photograph: Festival Director Lena Charles with Zydeco musician Geno Delafosse and Creole Folklorist Rebecca Henry (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
It didn’t take long to absorb the various vibes acknowledging an official start for the 40th annual Original Zydeco Music Festival.
With zydeco legend Geno Delafosse squeezing familiar sounds from his accordion and local and parish elected officials discussing the historical and contemporary significance of the annual event, the kickoff for the annual Labor Day event received sufficient applause at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center Thursday afternoon.
Festival director Lena Charles said the event scheduled for the Yambilee Building will feature local zydeco artists who are currently performing on the national stage.
It’s also the first time in two years, said Charles, that the 12-hour festival will resume as a live event.
“I know that people are excited. There is no better place to be than the Zydeco Festival on Labor Day. Since we began (the Festival 40 years ago), our mission has changed, but we have kept our culture and we continue to tell the stories about our (Creole) culture,” Charles said during a brief introductory address.
The Festival that began in the Plaisance area on farming co-op property operated by an agricultural foundation founded by Father Albert McKnight, originally paid tribute to individuals who worked the land, according to Charles.
“The land in Plaisance (where the Festival began) should be considered as holy ground. Zydeco is continuing to be brought back to (St. Landry Parish), the destination for Zydeco. It’s always been about the music that has brought people back. We’ve been here now for 40 years,” Charles said.
District Attorney Chad Pitre said that he grew up listening to family members who performed French music, an experience that began to expand as he listened to Zydeco legends like Clifton Chenier.
“I bought a 45 rpm (by Chenier) and I wore it out. Now because of him and others that came after him, zydeco is known throughout the world, although zydeco has its roots in St. Landry Parish,” Pitre noted.
Pitre admitted to first meeting Delafosse just moments before Delafosse entertained those in attendance with a few brief notes from his accordion.
Charles said parish and local law enforcement are combining efforts to provide security at the Yambilee Building event as well as the ancillary functions that include a kickoff dance at Evangeline Downs and a subsequent parade that will move down Landry Street and end at the Yambilee festival grounds.
Opelousas City Marshal Paul Mouton said officers are committed to assisting with event security.
Charles said help with security will be provided by the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Department and Opelousas Police Department.
“COVID prevented us from presenting the event live the last two years, now we’re back on track. People should know there’s nothing to fear or worry about. Just come out and enjoy the music, dance and have a good time. We’ve got your back 100 percent,” Mouton said.
Festival promotion is also being assisted by Opelousas Tourism, the State Department of Tourism as well as the Lafayette Tourist Commission, Charles said.
Herman Fuselier, executive director of the St. Landry Tourist Commission, said the quality of the musicians scheduled to perform should be enough to attract a large crowd to the event.
Most of the zydeco artists that have agreed to perform at the Festival are currently playing at events through North America, Fuselier said.
“We have all these musicians who have careers before national and international audiences and busy schedules. Yet they are coming back for the Zydeco Festival. Zydeco is our music and the Zydeco Festival is our festival,” said Fuselier.
Delafosse said Fuselier, is a tireless performer who has several performances scheduled this weekend.
