Keith Frank Draws Crowd

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

Threats of inclement weather and high winds didn’t deter a large crowd from gathering at the St. Landry Parish Ag Arena Tuesday to listen and dance at the third annual Mardi Gras On The Square concert featuring Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band.

Originally set for the Courthouse Square on Court Street, the concert was moved to the newly-renovated Ag Arena venue due to the weather threats that intensified following the completion of the Opelousas Imperial Mardi Gras parade that ended on the Yambilee parking lot.

Those attending the event were also treated to food, arts and crafts as vendors set up at the concert site.

Parish president Jessie Bellard, who orchestrated the annual event, said that expansion of the arena with an enlarged band stand and large dancing area, was suitable for the large number of people who crowded into the facility to listen to the popular Zydeco band which formed over a decade ago.

“We have the facilities now to entertain people in our parish and provide an entertainment-type of atmosphere. That’s always been one of the objectives of my administration. We want people to enjoy themselves. This is their parish and we want to enrich their lives with entertainment and opportunities to hear our local artists such as Keith Frank,” Bellard said.

Bellard said his administration employees did a good job of moving the event over to the arena and providing the necessary arrangements for the band and the crowd that attended.