Bonne Fête au Festival!
Can you believe it has been 30 years? Each year, Festival brings artists and musicians from all over the world to Lafayette to share not only their art, but their stories and culture. This year, we have musicians from 22 different countries!
The first time that I attended Festival was in 1992, and I have not missed one since. For years, I wondered how this magical event popped up in Downtown Lafayette. I now realize that it takes an entire community to make this celebration a reality. We have a full time staff of six and a board of 34 who work hard all year long to organize and coordinate everything. We depend on donations from Amis and Rain Angels, partnerships with local businesses and corporate sponsors. We have to sell beverages and merchandise. Through all of these efforts, we must raise between 1.1 and 1.5 million dollars. Once this is accomplished, there are almost 2,700 volunteer slots to be filled with Festival supporters.
I hope that you enjoy this year’s Festival. We work hard to bring it to you and are very proud of the food, music, art and street animation that you will experience. Of course, if you enjoy yourself and value what Festival brings to the community each year, we hope that you would consider helping to Fuel the Festival – in whichever way you can.
Bon Festival!
Scott Feehan
2016 Board President and Interim Executive Director
Support the Festival in your own way. You know it takes a village. Says Festival president Scott Feehan: “We have a full time staff of six and a board of 34 who work hard all year to organize and coordinate everything…Once this is accomplished, there are almost 2,700 volunteer slots to be filled with Festival supporters.” Fest is halfway to that goal, so grab some friends and coworkers and make it happen. You’ll get a cool shirt too. Sign up via emal at [email protected] or call the Festival office at 337.232.8086.