The Vernon Parish Arts Council will hold its 35th annual Mayfest Arts & Crafts Festival in the Downtown Leesville Historic District on May 6th & 7th.  This ever popular “rain or shine” event has something for everyone, and is one of Cenla’s longest running festival events!  Vendors come from all over the state to sell their unique wares at MayFest.  The arts & crafts booths will feature the finest in hand crafted items, made right here in Louisiana and across our region.  A multitude vendors set up booths in the historic district.  We’ll have wood crafters, candle-makers, artists, glass workers, metal artisans, face painters and many more.  You’ll have a chance to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift—you’ll see lots of great ideas as you stroll along the vendor area.  One of the highlights of MayFest each year is the delicious food available from the food vendors, who will have home-made treats to tempt your taste buds, including all your Louisiana favorites.  

As always, there will be ample live music throughout the two-day event to keep your hips shakin’ and your toes tappin’.  Friday night kicks off the spectacular live entertainment.  The evening will feature Jo-El Sonnier, the “King of Cajun” and a member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, live on stage bringing his unique and high energy Louisiana music to the festival.  Before Jo-El takes the stage at 8:00pm, the Rivers Revue will get things started beginning with their live set at 6:00pm.   Friday promises to be a great night of family fun to kick of this year’s festival.

All the great fun, food, vendors and live music only get better as the Festival reopens on Saturday.  The stage will be full of fun with a variety of music throughout the day, kicking off at 10:15am with Brian Sivils, followed by a special performance by the Leesville High School Jazz Band at 11:20am.  Justin Merritt will keep things going through the noon hour, leading into an action packed afternoon that features such great talent as David Locklear, Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs, the LukeJazz Trio, Eastside Connection and Marcus Davis.  The evening’s offerings will be kicked off by Harmon Drew, followed by Shelie Roshon, and then the La Scramble Band.  Rounding out the full entertainment slate for this year’s MayFest will be The Pink Flamingos, followed by Henry Reggans & The Sidemen, who will close the show while the crowd enjoys beer and crawfish on the street.

As if all of that weren’t enough, there’s no charge for admission to MayFest!  Mayfest is sponsored by the Vernon Arts Council, the Vernon Parish Police Jury, the Vernon Parish Tourism Commission, the City of Leesville, and is supported by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Arts Council of Central Louisiana.  Gather up the family, bring your lawn chair and join us on the courthouse lawn. Stay as long as you like — you don’t want to miss a thing!

For more information, please call the Vernon Tourism Commission at (337) 238-0783 or check our website at www.venturevernon.com.

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May 6th

            6:00-7:45                 Rivers Revue

            8:00-10:00                Jo-El Sonnier

May 7th

            10:15-11:15               Brian Sivils

            11:20-11:45               LHS Jazz Band

            11:55-12:45               Justin Merritt

            12:50-1:15                David Locklear

            1:20-2:20                 Johnny Earthquake & the Moondogs

            2:25-3:15                 Luke Jazz Trio

            3:25-4:15                 East Side Connection

            4:25-5:00                 Marcus Davis

            5:10-6:10                 Harmon Drew

            6:15-6:45                 Shelie Roshon

            6:55-7:55                 LA Scramble Band

            7:55-8:15                 Pink Flamingos

            8:30-10:00               The Sidemen