Sail boats race during last year’s Lake Arthur Regatta. The festival returns this weekend in the Lake Arthur Park with music, water fun and food booths. (American Press Archives)
Lake Arthur Regatta returns for second year
Last Modified: Friday, May 25, 2012 10:24 PM
By Doris Maricle / American Press
LAKE ARTHUR — More than boats will be making waves this weekend as the second annual Lake Arthur Regatta returns for two days of fun in the sand, sun and water.
“We are excited to build off last year’s success and bring the Regatta back bigger and better,” festival Chairman Troy Trahan said.
Nearly 12,000 people attended last year’s event, and more are expected this year, he said.
“Last year a lot of people didn’t come because the festival was just coming back (after a long hiatus),” Trahan said. “Now they have been hearing so many good things about it.”
The festival kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday and runs through 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
“If you are looking for a weekend of fun in the sun with great entertainment and delicious regional food vendors, this is it,” Trahan said
Admission is $10 per day for ages 6 and up. Children 5 and under are free.
New to this year’s festival is the inaugural Regatta Triathlon, which begins at 8 a.m. Saturday at the Regatta LA Seafood and Steakhouse parking lot on Hawkeye Street.Competitors will swim 370 yards, bike 12 miles and run 2.5 miles.
Also new to the festival is the Miss Regatta Pageant at 10 a.m. Saturday on the main stage at the corner of Arthur Avenue and Lake Street.
The pageant is open to contestants 17 through 33 years old.
This year’s music headliner is country recording artist Keith Anderson, known for “Pickin’ Wild Flowers” and “I Still Miss You.”
Anderson will take the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday.
“Keith brings the quality of entertainment that Regatta Festival attendees expect to find in our entertainment lineup,” Trahan said.
Other festival entertainers include Geno Delafosse and French Rock’n Boogie, Jamie Bergeron and The Kickin’ Cajuns, C.J. Solar Band, The Vegas Stars, Ashes of Babylon, Travis Matte and The Kingspins, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun and The Chee Weez.
Returning to the waterfront on Saturday will be the classic sailboat race. The 11 a.m.-5 p.m. races can be viewed from Lake Arthur Park.
The rest of the events will be taken to the streets of downtown Lake Arthur, with live entertainment on the main stage starting at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
A bikini contest and 7 Chics Bikini Fashion Show will be held at 4 p.m. on the main stage. Registration for the event begins at 3 p.m. under the tent to the left of the main stage.
More than two dozen vendors will offer food, drinks and festival merchandise.
Streets will be blocked off beginning at 2 p.m. today and will remain closed until Monday. Closures include the corners of Lake and Commercial streets, Arthur Avenue and First Street and Arthur and Hawkeye streets.
These intersections will also serve as entrance gates to the event.
All accessible alley ways within the perimeter will also be closed.
Lawn chairs are encouraged. No ice chests or pets will be allowed.
For more, call the Town Hall at 734-2211 or visit www.lakearthurfestival.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/lakearthurregatta.
Schedule of events
Saturday
8 a.m., Regatta Triathlon
10 a.m., Miss Regatta Pageant
11:30-1:30 p.m., Geno Delafosse and French Rock’n Boogie
2-4 p.m., Jamie Bergeron and The Kickin’ Cajuns
4-5 p.m., Bikini contest and 7 Chics Fashion Show
5:30-7:30 p.m., C.J. Solar Band
8-9:30 p.m., Keith Anderson
10 a.m.-midnight, The Vegas Stars
Sunday
2-4 p.m., Ashes of Babylon
4:30-6:30 p.m., Travis Matte and The Kingpins
7-9 p.m., Wayne Toups and Zydecajun
9:30-11:30 p.m., The Chee Weez
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