The 42 nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
Theme: “Pa Kase,” Leritage de Zarko — “Unbroken,” The Legacy of Zydeco.
(Opelousas, LA) – The 42 nd 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 31, at the Yambilee Festival Grounds with multiple activities leading up to that date.
This year the festival will serve as a prelude to “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, Gramm Nominee & Party Starter to help made that Unbroken Connection with “The Original
Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Music Festival.”
The lineup includes hit-makers such as Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band,
starting at 12:00 Noon: then Grammy nominee C. J. Chenier & The Red-Hot Louisiana Band and closing
the night with Nu Zydeco Special Guest, “The Legend Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco.”
The Treasures of Opelousas, a group of concerned citizens, feared that Zydeco (La La) Music and Creole
Culture were dying out; in response, they organized the first festival in 1982. “Unbroken.” Forty-two
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 30, and ends with a day jam pack-full of Zydeco
celebrations on August 31 st. For more information about the 42 nd Annual Original Southwest Louisiana
Zydeco Festival – www.zydeco.org or on Facebook at SWLA Zydeco Music Festival.
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“Pa Kase,” Leritage de Zariko,
FESTIVAL EVENTS SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30, 2024: 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 Leon Chavis & the Zydeco Flames. Also featuring DJ Carl T with Down
South Radio. Located at 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024: ZYDECO PARADE
At Landry and Wallior Street, the ZYDECO PARADE The Zydeco parade lines up at 8:30 a.m. with
scores of zydeco fans, businesses, social clubs, dance groups, trail riders. The colorful group rolls out at
10 a.m., passing by the Zydeco Breakfast Court House Square on Landry Street, as they head towards the
Zydeco Festival Grounds.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024: 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, LeRoy Thomas & Zydeco Road Runners, Grammy
Nominee C. J. Chenier & the Red-Hot Louisiana Band, Jeremy Fruge & The Zydeco Hot Boyz, Rusty
Metoyer & Zydeco Krush and Special Guest, “The Legend Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeco.” All on
the main stage Yambilee Festival Grounds, 1939 W. Landry St. Opelousas, LA 70570. www, zydeco.org
