Festivals Acadiens et Créoles marks 50 years with Cajun legends

LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) - Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, the largest Cajun and Zydeco music festival, will begin its 50th anniversary celebration on October 10–12, 2025, at Girard Park in Lafayette, Louisiana, with cultural trailblazer Zachary Richard.

The festival, known for its vibrant celebration of Cajun and Zydeco music, will feature performances by Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Crush on Friday night, followed by a diverse lineup of legendary and emerging artists throughout the weekend. Attendees can look forward to performances by Rockin’ Dopsie, Wayne Toups, Four Horses, Beau Cheval, and Les Amis du Teche.

“This year, we are celebrating Cinquante ans de Réveille: Et Asteur Quoi?! (Fifty Years of Réveille: And Now What?!), marking half a century since Zachary Richard's flag-waving performance at the 1975 Tribute to Cajun Music Concert, which eventually evolved into our event,” says Festival founder and director Barry Jean Ancelet.

Barry Jean Ancelet recalls the significance of the 1975 Tribute to Cajun Music Concert, where Clifton Chenier appeared wearing a crown, proclaiming his role as King of Zydeco. These moments served as a call to action for generations of Cajun and Creole musicians, inspiring them to honor the past while shaping the future of this vibrant tradition.

The full music and event schedule for Festivals Acadiens et Créoles will be released in September 2025, offering attendees a detailed look at the performances and activities planned for the anniversary celebration.

With its rich history and cultural significance, Festivals Acadiens et Créoles continues to be a beacon of Cajun and Creole music, celebrating the past while looking forward to the future.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.