LAFAYETTE — Festival Acadiens et Creoles kicks off this weekend at Girard Park in Lafayette. Here is a list of events happening and more on what you need to know before heading out to the festivities.
A full list of the music lineup for the weekend can be viewed here.
Friday, Oct. 11
The festival started at 9:00 a.m. and will officially open with the cutting of the Boudin at Girard Park at 5:00 a.m.
The Friday Night Fais Do Do will continue on until 9:00 pm in Girard Park following the boudin cutting ceremony.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Tour Des Atakapas race & duathlon starting at 7:30 a.m. and ending with a post-race party in Girard Park.
Bilingual Yoga on the Lawn at the Hilliard Museum from 9-10 a.m.
UL Press Kiosque des Auteurs booksigning and author reading tent will be open Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
Sunday, Oct. 13
French Mass at 9 a.m.
Final day of Festivals Acadiens et Creoles in Girard Park and "Songbirds" exhibit at A. Hays Town Building.
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ICE CHESTS AND TENTS
After seeing beverage sales decline for several years in a row, the festival plans to enforce that ice chest policy for 2019.
“While ice chests can often be seen throughout the park, much of the problem lies with those setting up tents along the perimeter,” said VP of Programming & Development Pat Mould. “We appreciate our loyal tent-goers, but if they bring ice chests full of drinks from home and even food, then they are not doing their part to support this cultural event.”
A new Village des Tentes program is also requested that those wanting to set up a tent sign up to become a Festival Friend first. That registration was held on October 8, 2019. Festivals says it is not responsible for tents that are left in the park after October 13.
"They [attendees] won't be kicked out, but they may be asked to return their ice chest to their car. We are really just asking people not to bring them at all as a courtesy, and we will do our best to police them during the weekend."
PARKING
Public parking will be available on UL Lafayette's campus at $10 per vehicle/per entry. Only debit or credit cards are accepted and are paid at one of the pay station meters in the corners of the Girard Park Circle Parking Garage with license plate number.
Festivals says that failure to pay for parking could result in your vehicle being ticketed, booted or towed.
Three free lots for parking are located on Brook Street across from Saint Street Inn and Olde Tyme Grocery and on Mildred Street behind Bisbano's.
The following areas on the UL campus will be restricted to resident student parking and will NOT be available for festival parking:
- Olivier Tower Parking Garage – McKinley Street (volunteers can park on the second floor)
- Taft Street Parking Garage – Taft/St. Mary
- Cajun Village Apartments – E. Lewis
- Legacy Park Apartments – E. Lewis
