Photograph: Original Zydeco Music Festival chairperson Lena Charles speaks with accordionist Brandon Ledet, who performed at the annual kickoff event held Thursday at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Musical notes from accordionist Brandon Ledet made it official
The Original Southwest Zydeco Music Festival season has begun as planners for the 41st event pointed out Thursday afternoon with a kickoff event hosted at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center in Opelousas.
Ledet was there with his accordion to validate the Sept. 2 event at the Yambilee Building, while Zydeco Festival event chairperson Lena Charles listed the legendary musicians that will highlight the one-day event.
“Waiting for you is a (musicians’) lineup like no other,” Charles said.
Zydeco music, Charles pointed out, has become an international phenomenon. A recent question on the “Jeopardy” game show Charles added, mentioned the musical genre, Opelousas and the origins of the event which occurred in a Plaisance-area bean field.
The Original Zydeco Festival Charles said, annually attracts visitors to the Opelousas area.
“We bring in folks from all over who want to see where (Zydeco) all began. They want to see the culture and our food and above all, they want to see where the music came from,” Charles told the large crowd that attended the event.
Herman Fuselier, executive director of the St. Landry Parish Tourism Commission, noted with a bit of humor that sometimes people elsewhere think that New Orleans is the place where Zydeco music originated and where it flourishes.
When he hears that misconception, Fuselier said, he isn’t hesitant to set the record straight.
“Having the festival (in Opelousas) is something that keeps the music and culture alive. This (Opelousas) is ground zero for Zydeco,” Fuselier added.
Charles recounted briefly the origins of the festival which was created to celebrate the tradition of summer agricultural harvests, the music played at those occasions and the farmers co-op program launched by Holy Ghost Catholic Church.
The venues for the first festivals were located on farmers’ co-op-owned tracts off La. 167, Charles told her audience.
The threat of inclement weather during the Hurricane season, prompted event planners to move the festival to the Yambilee Building, where the festival has found a permanent home.
Parish president Jessie Bellard said that the Yambilee Building complex will this year feature expanded cover and accommodations for festival attendees.
Here is a list of the Zydeco Festival Events
Sept. 1: Kickoff Dance held at Evangeline Downs 2235 Creswell Lane Extension starting at 9 pm. The event will feature Lil Nate & The Zydeco Big Timers.
Sept. 2: Zydeco Festival Parade starting at 10 a.m. at the Wallior and Landry streets intersection. The parade will have trail riders, dance groups and bands.
Sept. 2 Zydeco Breakfast at the Courthouse Square from 9-11 am. LeRoy Thomas & Zydeco Road Runners play for the event that will be catered by local restaurants which will have a number of breakfast items for sale. The event is hosted annually by Opelousas Main Street, Inc. the City of Opelousas and parish government.
Sept 2: Music for the festival starts at the Yambilee Building around noon. The festival ends late Saturday night. Areas for lawn chairs will be available as well as space for dancing.
