Photographs Courtesy of Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
(Opelousas, LA) – The 40th 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 stories.” The festival takes place on September 3rd, Yambilee Festival Grounds with multiple activities leading up to that date. This year the festival pays tribute to the original King of Zydeco, Clifton Chenier and to Wilbert Levier, an original member of the Treasures of Opelousas.
The lineup includes hit-makers such as Lil Nate & the Zydeco Big Timers (Friday Night Kick Off Dance), Grammy winner Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Grammy nominees Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Corey Ledet; along with Mike Broussard & Nu Edition Zydeco, Jeremy Frugé & The Zydeco Hot Boyz and Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush.
The Treasures of Opelousas, a group of concerned citizens, feared that the Creole Culture and their music were dying out; in response, they organized the first zydeco festival in 1982. Forty years later, we are still celebrating and promoting the best of creole culture, traditional food and zydeco music.
The 2022 Annual Zydeco Season opens on August 4 and ends with the comeback Zydeco Celebration on September 3, 2022. Find more information about the 40th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival at www.zydeco.org or on Facebook at SWLA Zydeco Music Festival, www.lafayettetravel.com
The 40th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
ZYDECO SEASON OPENING – THURSDAY AUGUST 4:
Zydeco Festival Season party begins at the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center. With the official opening of year 2022, the 40th Annual Original SWLA Zydeco Music Festival will serve light refreshments, music and celebration, the event takes place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Opelousas Museum, 315 N Main St, Opelousas, LA 70570.
KICKOFF DANCE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2:
We will get this party started the night before at Evangeline Downs at 9 p.m. with the explosive L’Argent man himself, Lil Nate & The Zydeco Big Timers. 2235 Creswell Lane Extension, Opelousas, LA 70570
BIG ZYDECO PARADE – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3:
Parade route East Landry Street and Wallior Street. The Zydeco parade lines up at 8:30 a.m. with scores of zydeco fans, businesses, social clubs, dance groups and trail riders. The colorful group rolls at 10 a.m., passing by the Zydeco Breakfast on Landry, as they head to the Festival Grounds.
ZYDECO BREAKFAST – SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3:
Join us for the annual Zydeco Breakfast in downtown Opelousas. From 9-11 am, under the oak trees on the Courthouse Square, you can listen to the foot tapping sounds of Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys. Local downtown eateries will feature an assortment of breakfast items for sale. Thanks to Opelousas Tourism, with support from Opelousas Main Street, Inc., the City of Opelousas, and St. Landry Parish Government, hosts the free event each year to get people excited about SW LA Zydeco Festival music and activities.
40th ANNUAL- 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, along with arts and crafts.
Plan your family reunions, gather your social groups for a-good-time with your favorite bands: Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie and Corey Ledet Zydeco, Mike Broussard & Nu Edition Zydeco, Jeremy Fruge & The Zydeco Hot Boyz and Rusty Metoyer & Zydeco Krush. 1939 W. Landry St. Opelousas, LA 70570. Find more information about the 40th Annual Original Southwest Louisiana Zydeco Festival at www.zydeco.org or on Facebook at SWLA Zydeco Music Festival, www.lafayettetravel.com.
