For the first time in more than 40 years, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles—the world’s largest Cajun and Creole festival—will host a spring festival in Lafayette’s Girard Park. With the theme “Le Grand Retour,” three days of festivities will include live performances from local musicians, the Bayou Food Festival and a crafts fair along with workshops and cooking demonstrations.
“We are excited to finally bring back our self-celebration of all things Cajun and Creole to the community,” said Patrick Mould, vice president of programming and development chef. Due to the risks imposed by COVID-19, the festival was presented in a livestreaming virtual format in 2020 and 2021.
Festivals Acadiens et Créoles will kick off on Friday, March 18, with the traditional Cutting of the Boudin at 5 p.m. at Scène Ma Louisiane. Music by Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys and Chris Ardoin and Nu Step Zydeko will follow and continue through Sunday at Girard Park. Listeners can tune in via 88.7 KRVS (krvs.org) and enjoy the music from anywhere in the world. Content will also stream on Facebook Live.
The official pin and poster for the March celebration will be revealed at the Hilliard Art Museum on February 11 at 6 p.m. Tent rental spaces in Girard Park are available and volunteers are still needed over the three days. Signups for all can be found on the festival website.
2022 Festival Acadiens et Créoles Schedule
Scène Ma Louisiane
Friday, March 18
5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. | Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys
7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. | Chris Ardoin & NuStep Zydeko
Saturday, March 19
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Rusty Metoyer and The Zydeco Krush
1:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m. | A Tribute to Courtney Granger
2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Feufollet
3:45 p.m.-5:15 p.m. | Roddie Romero and the Hub City All-Stars
5:30 p.m-6:30 p.m. | Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble
6:45 p.m-8:00 p.m. | Pine Leaf Boys
Sunday, March 20
10:30-11:30 a.m. | The Pot Luck Band
11:45-12:45 p.m. | Jambalaya Cajun Band w/ special guest
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | Lafayette Rhythm Devils
2:15 p.m.-3:15 p.m. | Cedric Watson & Bijou Créole
3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. | Donny Broussard & the Louisiana Stars
4:45 p.m.-5:45 p.m. | Jeffery Broussard & the Creole Cowboys
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. | Wayne Toups & ZydeCajun
Scène Mon Heritage
Saturday, March 19
10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. | Huval-Fuselier Cajun Band
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. | The Daiquiri Queens Presented by Festival International de Louisiane
1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m. | Wayne Singleton & Same Ol’ 2 Step
2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie
3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. | Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. | Bonsoir, Catin
Sunday, March 20
10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. | Forest Huval Band
12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. | Joe Hall and The Louisiana Cane Cutters
1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m. | Jesse Legé
2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Gerald Gruenig and Gentilly Zydeco
3:45 p.m.-4:45 p.m. | Cameron Dupuy & The Cajun Troubadours
5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. | Lil’ Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers
La Salle de Danse
Saturday, March 19
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. | Seth Spell & Cajun Strong
11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Kyle Huval and the Dixie Club Ramblers
1:00 p.m-2:00 p.m.| Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sound
2:15 p.m-3:15 p.m. | Terry & the Zydeco Bad Boys
3:30 p.m-4:30 p.m. | The Revelers
4:45 p.m.-6:00 p.m. | Corey Ledet Zydeco
Sunday, March 20
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. | French Mass
10:45 a.m.-11:45 a.m. | Savoy Family Band
12:00 p.m.-1 p.m. | Chubby Carrier & the Bayou Swamp Band
1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m. | Balfa Toujours
2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Jo-El Sonnier
3:45 p.m.-5:00 p.m. | Gregg Martinez w/ special guests T.K. Hulin & Johnnie Allan
5:15 p.m-6:30 p.m. | Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express
Scène Atelier Workshops
Saturday, March 19
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 12:45 p.m.-1:45 p.m. | “Boudini et ses amis”
