Festivals Acadien Celebrates 50 years
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) - Barry Ancelet and Keith Cravey are the founders of this festival and it’s wild, even to them, to see how far the festival has come. News 10 spoke to the friends about how it feels to see the 50th anniversary, and to put it simply, they feel like proud parents. Barry Ancelet says, "I'll tell you what, if anybody had told us in 1974 when we did that first concert, that this was all going on 50 years later I would have laughed." Keith Cravey adds, "I am in awe. I didn't know we'd be around 50 years, much less the festival. But here we are."
In 1974 Ancelet and Cravey wanted to change the way people listened to creole music, so they planned the first concert at Blackham Coliseum. Even with the challenges of arranging such an event, Ancelet and Carvey say it was a night they'll never forget. Cravey tells News 10, "You know, it was a stormy night. We did not have any idea really of who was going to turn out." Barry Ancelet said, "It was a Tuesday night. Who goes out on a Tuesday night?" Carvey added, "You know, we were really on eggshells as far as who the attendance was going to be in the first place. We were just absolutely amazed that the Blackham Coliseum was filled to capacity."
After 2 successful years of a packed coliseum, the move was made to bring the festival to Girard Park. From there, Ancelet and Carvey never looked back. Watching the festival grow from 1 stage to 5, and seeing the event go from one night to an entire weekend. Looking back at the 50 year journey, these friends feel like proud parents as they continue to bring smiles to families from all over the world. Ancelet said, "And, you know, it turns out 50 years is not nothing. It's something to celebrate. We're really happy to be celebrating."
As the 50th anniversary celebration has only just begun they are already looking forward to the next 50 and beyond.