Immediate Release: Downtown on the Bayou Festival
Date: September 28, 2005
After discussion with Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government (our main co-sponsor), Houma Downtown Development Corporation and the Houma Regional Arts Council it was unanimously decided that in the best interest of the community the Downtown on the Bayou Festival be cancelled for October 22 & 23, 2005.
Terrebonne Parish was hit hard by two major hurricanes. The people of our parish, our coastal State and the surrounding coastal areas, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama have all been declared disaster areas.
Because Hurricane Rita affected our immediate tri-parish area, our resources such as security, medical attention, manpower, etc. are being used to rebuild them. Not to mention the calls from some of our food vendors, musicians and crafters who have lost product, homes, personnel, etc. (All of which have agreed that now is not the time to have a festival)
We as a community need to stand strong and help our neighbors pick up the pieces and move forward. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you that have been so hard hit by these uncontrollable and natural disasters. |
Terrebonne's Annual Cultural, Heritage & Industrial Festival
Saturday, October 22nd - Sunday, October 23rd, 2005
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"Best Special Event of the Year"
Louisiana's Main Street Program
"Top 20 Event"
by the Southeast Tourism Society
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There's nothing like a little bit of Cajun hospitality, unless it's a lot of Cajun hospitality. If you're ready to pinch some tails, dance in the street or even yell Ayyeeee, then get on down to the
Annual Downtown on the Bayou Festival! From every variety the Cajun chef has to offer to some of the most unique crafts in South Louisiana, the Downtown on the Bayou Festival has something for every member of the family. Join us on the fourth full weekend of October for a special up-close-and-personal view of what we do best! And remember, if you leave a little different, then we've done our job.
2005 Craft Booth Application (pdf)
2005 Craft Booth Application (MS Word)
Wayne Toups & Zydecajun
Saturday, Oct. 22nd, 2005
10:30pm - Midnight
There will also be 7 gates for the $1 admission fee. Children 6 & under are free. Re-entry is possible for each day.
Admission will be accepted 10a-9p on Saturday and 10-5 on Sunday. We will also be accepting donations for Hurricane Katrina Relief at all gates. Entry into the festival will include the patron a chance to win a prize on Sunday. Prize to be announced – we are still finalizing that.
| Park and Ride at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center |
| People can park at the civic center and catch the free shuttle downtown.
Schedule: Buses will pick-up and drop off every other hour beginning at 7am-1am on each day.
The schedule will be shared with: Quality Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, Ramada Inn and Plantation Inn.
Downtown Drop-off and pick-up points:
Barrow/Main
Lafayette/Main
Goode/School
Rousell/School
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| Cajun Wedding |
 An authentic Cajun wedding offers Downtown on the Bayou Festival
goers an opportunity to observe and participate in a tradition unique
to the Acadian Culture.
The ceremony, an annual event at Downtown on the Bayou, includes
many Cajun wedding traditions. Cajun families used the tradition of
jumping over the broom to recognize a marital union when a priest was
not available. The remote locations and limited waterway access of
many Cajun villages meant the minister came through the community only
a few times a year, at which time the marriages were sanctified by the
church.
Cajun dancing follows the nuptials, complete with a money dance.
This tradition requires the gentlemen to pin money to the bride's gown
for the favor of a dance with the new Mrs. A Cajun band entertains at
the reception. Drinks are available for the public to buy and, as was
the Cajun tradition, the drinks are kept cold in ice-filled pirogues. The public is invited to attend and participate in what has become
one of favorite events at Downtown on the Bayou.
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| Cuisine
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One of the major attractions at the  Downtown on the Bayou Festival
is the food. From alligator sausage-on-a-stick to pizza, there is
something sure to please everyone. Some of the foods available
include: chicken gumbo, shrimp po-boys, red beans and rice, crawfish
fettuccine, hot tamales, jambalaya, turkey legs, baby pork ribs, crab
soup and muffalottas. Dessert booths feature ice cream, sweet potato
beignets, tarts and tea cookies, bread pudding and king cake.
The area's finest restaurants, cafes and caterers all join in to
showcase traditional Cajun food, as well as their own specialties, at
one of the biggest and best displays of Cajun cuisine in the South.
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| Music |
 A wide variety of music and performers, sure to please everyone, is
featured at the Downtown on the Bayou Festival. Over two days, dozens
of local musicians and entertainers perform live on several stages
across the festival grounds. Featured selections include Cajun, Zydeco,
Country, Jazz, Dixieland, Blues, Gospel and Rock bands, as well as
line dancing, clogging and bell choir performances. Come and take
advantage of the perfect opportunity to be entertained by talent
straight from the heart of Cajun Country!
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| Cajun Horseshoes |
Participants will pay $3 for five tosses of a toilet seat. 3 out of 5 rings will win you a pack of toilet paper!
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| Dog March - Hairy Pawter - Welcome to Dogwarts |
Sunday, October 23 at 11am
This event will benefit The Humane Society of Houma-Terrebonne. The Queen of 2005 is Mollie Theriot and King of 2005 is Sam Malbrough.
The Maids are as follows: Sugar Baby Caillouet and Munchie Marie Carlos.
The Dukes are as follows: Blue Bayou Zeb Verdin and Deogee La Bauve
Awards will be giving for: Best Costumed Dog, Most Unusual Dog, Biggest Dog, Pick of the litter, Best Owner and Dog Look-alike, Best Inanimate Dog, Most Distinguished Dog, Smallest Dog, Best Group of Dogs, Best Parade Theme Costume
Participants: humans dressed as dogs, real dogs – with or without costumes, and inanimate dogs
Preregistration: $7 – at Main Branch Library, Waterlife Museum, Lamb’s Way Bookstore, South La Seed, all houma pet stores and Vets.
Late Registration - $10 – starting at 9am-11am on day of event (oct. 23). Booth is at corner of Belanger and Roussell Sts.
All registered dogs receive a “Doggie Bag” full of free gifts and owners receive an official Hairy Pawter pin with reg, parade number and automatic entry into all contests.
For more info call 873-1095 or 879-2772.
Parade Route: starts at corner of Roussell and Belanger, Right on Main to Memorial Park, around fountain to Main, proceed down Main, turn left on Goode, right on School, right on Church, left before triangle to Grinage, right on Main, back around Memorial park fountain, return to registration booth at Roussell and Belanger.
Rules:
- Only dogs and their people will be allowed in the parade.
- Costumes are encouraged, but not mandatory.
- Dogs must have proof of current rabies vaccination status.
- Dogs must be accompanied by an escort.
- Dogs must be on leash. No retractables.
- Dogs must not be “in season.”
- Escort is responsible for picking up poop.
- No displays of political, controversial, or religious ideals allowed.
- No motorized vehicles.
- No throws.
- All pets must be removed from downtown area by Noon.
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| Pirogue Races |
 Pirogue races are always a part of the fun and excitement at the
Downtown on the Bayou Festival. Pirogues are traditional, flat-bottomed
Cajun boats used to maneuver through the bayous and waterways so
common throughout Southeast Louisiana. Participants can register for a
variety of races, including the Adam and Eve Race, in which each
pirogue contains one man and one woman, or the novelty races. In the
Human Race, contestants participate with bags over their heads and
spectators direct the pirogues by shouting from the bayou bank.
Believe it or not, some pirogues even make it to the finish line! In
the Challenge Race, businesses, schools, clubs, civic organizations or
any other group issues a challenge to another department or segment of
the organization.
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| Folk Artists |
 Terrebonne's finest artists participate in the Downtown on the
Bayou Festival to showcase tribal rituals, storytelling, pirogue
carving and basket weaving, to name a few.
Festival participants can try their hand at craft making or watch
as the artists demonstrate their masterful techniques. Visitors can
view or purchase the handiwork displayed throughout the festival or
simply relax, and enjoy the folk music in the small town atmosphere of
the Courtyard Square.
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| What's Going On and Where |
 Folklife Museum:
Cajun Tool Shed
Soap Carving
Quilting
Duck Carving
Native American Crafts
Free to get in
Open Sat.& Sun 10-5
Waterlife Museum is the site of the Cajun Village
The Cajun Village will have: Jolly Inn Dancers, Solid Gold Live Dancers, Roland Cheramie from noon-4pm on both days with his Musical Petting Zoo, Zydeco, Cajun music, dancing, home made bread, boudin, cracklins and duck carvers. John Crochet will be making shotgun houses and mini pirogues. Museum is open 10-5 on both days and admission to museum is $1. There will be a photo exhibit of Bayou Lafourche inside the gallery of the Waterlife museum.
Throughout the festival:
There will be Pony Rides by Terrebonne Livestock & Agricultural Fair Association (minimum fee – as a fundraiser for them)
Lumcom will be on site with a Touch Tank (turtles and such)
Children’s Art Tent (spin art, pottery and arts activities – small fee)
NSU Student Art Tent – art demonstrations
Cultural Dance Tent
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For more information contact: Tammy Haynes
c/o Houma Terrebonne Arts & Humanities Council
P.O. Box 3678 Houma, La 70361
(985) 873-6367 Fax (985) 850-4671
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