July 4th Sizzles With The 5th Annual Avoyelles Arts & Music Fest

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AAMF_2016AVOYELLES-LINEUP“Louisiana’s July 4th Destination Festival!” returns to Avoyelles Parish this July 4th with a dazzling event showcasing all the sights and sounds of our nation’s birthday! The town of Marksville has become party central for the beloved summer holiday and features an incredible lineup of live music, arts, crafts and food vendors, fun and games for the kids and a BCA-sanctioned BBQ Cook-Off with $4,000 in cash prizes.

 

AAMF is free and open to the public, and takes place on the grounds surrounding Fresh Catch Bistreaux and Broken Wheel Brewery on Highway 1 at Main Street, with all festivities orbiting around DETEL’s Main Stage, which once again plays host to an exciting and diverse lineup of Louisiana artists.  Headlining this year will be the “Baby Boy of Zydeco”—probably the hardest working man in the game—Lil Nathan & The Zydeco Big Timers.  Making a guest appearance during Lil Nathan’s set will be none other than Cupid as the two collaborate for a hit packed performance.  Also on the bill is NOLA’s funkateers, the global go-go brass oufit,  Brass-A-Holics.  Returning to the AAMF stage for the first time since opening the festival is Grammy-nominated fiddler and chanteuse Amanda Shaw, fresh from a world tour and performing at this year’s Jazz Fest. New to the main stage this year is a tried and true Louisiana favorite, Travis Matte & The Kingpens.  Cenla rockers and fan favorites, When All Is Lost, continue their climb as they light up the stage with their infectious energy.  Cenla Focus Best of Cenla Reader’s Award winners The Side Men get the party started as they follow festival openers, the amazingly talented and uplifting St. John Community Baptist Church Choir, performing live with their rhythm section.  Time honored holiday contests such as hot dog, watermelon and cherry pie eating contests add that small town Americana charm and take place in between the acts.

 

AAMF_20168727686464_7783d66804A lively festival atmosphere plays host to an array of arts, crafts and food vendors in addition to an area for kids, complete with games and activities ranging from rock walls to face painting, obstacle course and more interactive games.  One ticket price of $10.00 allows kids to play games and rides as many times as they like.

 

Pitmasters are encouraged to enter the BCA-sanctioned BBQ Cook-Off, which returns to the July 4th festival, featuring $4,000 in cash prizes, in addition to highly coveted Budweiser BBQ gear! Teams begin to arrive Sunday, July 3rd and early festivalgoers are invited to the official AAMF Kick-Off Party with Josh Hyde & The Hitchikers live on Sunday July 3rd at the Creole House, next to Fresh Catch Bistreaux.  There is no admission fee for this event.

 

AAMF_2016Amanda Shaw webFestival sponsors City of Marksville and The Marksville Chamber of Commerce complete the one-day celebration with Louisiana’s longest running July 4th parade that begins at 6:00pm, rolling in front of the main stage, followed by a dazzling fireworks display at nightfall one mile from festival grounds.

 

The Avoyelles Arts Council and the Avoyelles Arts & Music Fest is 100% volunteer driven and wishes to thank the many corporate and individual sponsors of AAMF, whose generosity keeps the festival free and open to the public.  For all information, including vendor and BBQ registration, please call (318) 264-9392 or (318) 240-3495.  For parade registration, please call (318) 253-8599.