2nd Annual Harvest Festival Set for Oct. 19-21
More Participants, Expanded Activities
NEW ROADS, La. – The City of New Roads’ 2nd Annual Harvest Festival on False River, which is set for Oct. 19-21, is shaping up to be a bigger, better festival than last year’s celebration, according to organizers.
Mayor Robert Myer said that the festival will feature live music on two downtown stages, carnival rides on Morrison Parkway, a special Kids Zone activity area, displays at the Julien Poydras Museum, more than 100 arts and crafts vendors, as well as boutique retailers, and an expanded food vendor court and beer garden, and much more. Special programs for this year’s festival also include the Harvest Festival Beauty Pageant, 5K Race, Pecan Baking Contest, and the Festivals’ Green Market which will all prove to be better than the inaugural year’s activities.
“We are really excited about the activities we have planned for this year’s festival. There really is something for everyone of every age,” Myer said. “Our goal was to grow the festival and make it even better than last year’s inaugural event. We think we have done that.”
Myer said this year’s festivities will kick-off with a “Taste of Harvest Festival” preview event at the William Scott Civic Center on Oct. 18. Tickets for the preview party are $30 per person. With the paid admission, patrons will receive hor d’oevres, food from the festival vendors, live music and dancing, access to carnival rides that evening, as well as access to a cash bar. Cocktail hour will be from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and live music will be featured from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The pageant will be held in advance of the festivities, on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the Poydras Museum, beginning at 8 a.m. with special guest Dianne Deaton. The pageant will feature entry divisions for every age, from newborn to age 23. Entry forms and information are available online at www.harvestfestivalontheriver.com.
The 5K Run will be held Saturday, Oct. 20, beginning at 8 a.m. on downtown Main Street. Persons interested in participating can register at www.active.com. Immediately following the race, vendors with the Green Market will be on hand in front of the Pointe Coupee Parish Courthouse to sell local farmers’ produce, pastries and other local baked goods and food products.
The Harvest Festival is a free event sponsored by the City of New Roads, and several local businesses and community leaders. A complete list of sponsors is available at www.harvestfestivalontheriver.com.
Live music entertainers for this year’s Harvest Festival include country music stars David St. Romain and Little Texas, Zydeco artists Rockin’Dopsie and Wayne Toups, rock favorite Chris LeBlanc and the “oldies” party band Na Na Sha. Confunkshun and LTD are also headlining this event. Visit www.harvestfestivalontheriver.com for a complete list of times and locations.
For more information on any of the events or for vendor or pageant opportunities please contact City of New Roads City Hall at 225-638-5360 ext. 212.
