October 24 at the Acadian Festival could see an unprecedented surge of fans all drawn by one name—John Foster’s long-awaited appearance. ML
The International Acadian Festival typically involves extensive preparation for organizers, but this year’s event carries a larger challenge — one the team welcomes eagerly.
Knights of Columbus Council 970, the sponsor since the festival’s beginnings as The Cajun Festival in 1969, is expecting one of its biggest crowds yet when John Foster, an Addis native and “American Idol” runner-up, takes the stage on opening night, Friday, Oct. 24.
Online tickets, priced at $21, will be sold until noon on Oct. 22. Tickets at the gate will cost $25 and be available while supplies last. Fans can secure their spots at https://getbooking.us/festival/index.php.
Foster’s upcoming show is forecasted to attract record attendance.
“We’re advising fans to buy tickets online due to expected long lines at the gate,” festival chairman Jason Leonard noted.
The Lauren Lee Band will kick off the evening, with the Evangeline princesses introduced between acts.
A major change this year is the introduction of metal detectors for all attendees—a first for the festival—following security consultations with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office.
To improve safety and crowd control, the stage orientation has been changed to face the north end rather than the east corner.
On May 14, Foster performed a mini-concert to around 14,000 fans at the Mark A. “Tony” Gulotta Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park, just before the “American Idol” finals, with highlights shown on May 18.
Past festival highlights include The Chee Weez at the original Mike Zito Multipurpose Arena and Fats Domino in the 1970s at the old fairgrounds along La. 1.
The festival moved to the current Bayou Waterfront Park seven years ago, a location Leonard considers ideal.
“If it rains heavily, the concrete pavement means we can resume quickly once it stops,” he said.
While parking space is more limited than before, the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office and Plaquemine City Police are working with the Knights of Columbus to assist attendees with parking and transport.
