News, Sports and Entertainment for St. Martin Parish, La.

BON SOIR CATIN, with Christine Balfa (right), entertains on the stage at Parc des Ponts de Pont Breaux during the first Shake Your Trail Feather free music concert last  year. Money raised through sales of a $5 festival pin and concessions to  toward the establishment of a Bayou Teche Paddle Trail.

Shake Your Trail Feather concert Saturday, Oct. 19

Promoters hope to raise money through pin sales
Recreation trails that accommodate bicyclists, runners and paddlers are an innovative and fun way to draw tourists to our town - Tina Begnaud

Cajun music queen Christine Balfa and the TECHE Project are bringing the second annual Shake Your Trail Feather concert to Parc des Ponts here Saturday, Oct. 19.

This free music festival raises money through sales of a special $5 pin and concessions for projects along the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail, which is expected to draw paddlers from around the nation to experience paddling in Cajun Country.

“I live on Bayou Teche and I am excited we are inviting so many people to visit this special water trail,” said Balfa. “It’s a real moment of pride to designate Bayou Teche as a national destination to explore,” she said. “I know paddlers will take care of our water and respect our land.”

Founder of the bands Balfa Toujours and Bonsoir, Catin, Balfa is the daughter of Cajun music pioneer Dewey Balfa. Shake

Your Trail Feather begins at noon. Performers include Makers Reel (indie rock), Bon Soir Catin (Cajun), and Corey Ledet and His Zydeco Band. The St. Bernard School students will perform an acoustic set and other local musicians will be featured as well. Louisiana Folk Roots will also host a “Heritage Stage” where host Todd Mouton will interview authorities on the history and culture of Bayou Teche.

Pack and Paddle is providing a kayak for raffle. Tickets are $2 apiece and you must be present to win.

The Lafayette Paddle Club will be paddling to the event from Arnaudville and Bayou Teche Experience will be offering shuttles and kayak rental for an hour-and-a-half paddle from Poche Bridge. (For more information about these paddling opportunities, contact bayoutecheexpeience.com.) There will also be activities for kids.

The assistant secretary of State Parks and the Atkapas-Ishak Trail planners at the Municipal Planning Organization will be unveiling plans for the multi-use trailhead to be constructed at Parc des Ponts and the three-parish-wide Atakapas-Ishak multi-purpose trail.

Among the representatives of the TECHE Project will be Cajuns For Bayou Teche, responsible for hauling tons of trash from the bayou, and the Bayou Teche Water Sentinels who monitor water quality on the Teche.

Tour du Teche will also share highlights from the just-finished 4th annual kayak and canoe race, and the Petite Tour du Teche race. St. Martin Parish Tourism and the City of Breaux Bridge have partnered with the TECHE Project to make this event possible.

“Recreation trails that accommodate bicyclists, runners and paddlers are an innovative and fun way to draw tourists to our town.” said Tina Begnaud of the Breaux Bridge Chamber of Commerce and Department of Tourism. “It also improves the quality of life for our residents by providing them options to participate in safe, outdoor recreation activities in our own community,” Begnaud said.

Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from St. Martin Parish. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Follow Us

Subscriber Links