Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette Announces 2010 Schedule - 02/02/2010

The Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association will host the 17th annual  "Le Festival de Mardi Gras a' Lafayette" from Friday, February 12th through Mardi Gras day at U.L.- Lafayette's Cajun Field.  The Festival will include an exciting carnival mid-way, native Cajun foods, and an outstanding line-up of live music. To make the Festival a complete Mardi Gras experience, the route for all of Lafayette's parades will pass directly through the Festival grounds. This popular festival enters it's 17th year with a robust line-up of live music, a gigantic carnival midway, ample parking, and terrific viewing spots for all of Lafayette's parades.

"The Festival has earned a reputation for being a wonderful, family oriented celebration of Mardi Gras. We are constantly working to improve the event and the entertainment we offer. For 2010, we've increased our band budget so that we can bring in the best in local,  regional and national talent.  In addition to local and regional favorites like Travis Matte, Jamie Bergerson, Cowboy Mouth and Wayne Toups, we will feature national recording artist Uncle Kracker.  The HOME BANK soundstage will showcase  twenty-two bands over the five-day festival.  We've designed the Festival so that it offers something for everyone.

The LOUISIANA LOTTERY midway will offer a wide variety of rides, from an area specially designed for small children, to fast, exciting, and wilder rides. We have also developed several price promotions that  make our carnival within everyone's budget.  The HOME BANK Soundstage has one of the most extensive and diverse arrays of local, regional, and national musicians ever assembled. BORDEN'S will be on hand with displays, Elsie and the popular Borden's train. Plus, all of the parades pass right through the Festival grounds," Mann said. "Cajun Field will be transformed for the 5-day event, with the huge carnival midway, the live music soundstage and over 70 recreational vehicles making up "STEVENS RV CITY". It's quite a sight to see and everyone wants to be at Cajun Field for Mardi Gras!" Mann said. "We are very excited to have local restaurants and caterers participating again this year. The quality and variety the food these local vendors provide is  tremendous. We work hard to make the Festival site the easiest, safest, and most convenient spot to watch the parades," Mann added.

What's the best part about "Le Festival de Mardi Gras a Lafayette?" -- IT'S FREE! Admission to the LOUISIANA LOTTERY Midway, the HOME BANK soundstage, the BORDEN'S train and display area , as well as the parade viewing areas are free. There is a $10 charge for parking at Cajun Field. All of the money generated from the Festival will be used by the Greater Southwest Louisiana Mardi Gras Association to develop and promote Lafayette's Mardi Gras parades and activities.  For more a complete schedule and more details, visit www.gomardigras.com.
 FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL RANDALL MANN (337) 319-5896 


Schedule:
 Friday, 2/12
 Midway Open:  5p -12a
 Pay One Price 5p-11p  $25
 Stage:
 6pm:  Corey Ledet
 8:30 pm:  Jason Michael Carroll
 10pm:  Travis Matte
 
Saturday, 2/13
 Midway Open:  Noon - Midnight
 Stage:
 1:30pm:  Full Circle
 3:30pm:  Sean Vidrine & da Classics & Charlo
 6:00pm:  Leon Chavis
 8:30pm:  Bag of Donuts
10:30pm:  Jamie Bergeron

 Sunday, 2/14
 Midway Open:  Noon - Midnight
 Ride Survivor: Pay One Price Noon-11p  $25
 Stage:
 1:00pm:  Gospel Hour
 2:00pm:  Biscuit Hound
 3:30pm:  Nik L Beer
 6:00pm:  Black Bayou Konstruct
 9:30pm:  Cowboy Mouth

 Monday, 2/15
 Midway Open:  Noon - Midnight
 Family Fun Day:  Pay One Price Noon-6p  $25
  Stage:
  2:00pm:  Louisiana Kids
  3:30pm:  T Broussard & Zydeco Steppers
  5:30pm:  DJ Rex Broussard
  6:00pm:  5th Avenue
  8:00pm:  Jaicko
 10:30pm: Wayne Toups
 
 Tuesday, 2/16
 Midway Open:  10am-8pm
 Stage:
 11:00am:  Kira Viator
 1:30pm:    Lafayette's Bayou Boys
 4:00pm:    Louisiana Red