‘Fun Fest’ says ‘hello’ to Houma

In 2005, hurricanes Katrina and Rita permanently washed the “Downtown on the Bayou” festival off of Houma’s fall events calendar.

But Angi Falgout is optimistic that the city’s streets will bustle with mirth and merriment once again as part of James J. Buquet Jr. Bayouland YMCA’s first ever “Downtown Family Fun Fest & 5K Run,” which will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10 and 11, in the downtown area.

“Fun Fest,” the brainchild of Falgout (current CEO of the Y) will include the race, concessions, arts and crafts booths and games for children.

It will also feature a musical card that features Charisma, Southern Cross Burnside Flashers and Sold Out on Saturday and Foret Tradition, Treater and Buster Brown on Sunday.

“I just thought that our community needed a downtown festival,” she said. “I approached (Terrebonne) administration and council, and they were happy to co-sponsor the event with us and bring back a festival for the community.”

The Y had already received an abundance of support from vendors, corporate sponsors and general interest from the community. It also received interest from the Houma Nation Indian Tribe, local Boy Scouts, the sheriff’s and district attorneys offices and various oil companies.

“I’m pleased with how many people have supported us, especially during an election year,” said Andre Buquet-Casey, vice president of the Bayouland YMCA Board of Directors and chairman of this year’s Fun Fest. “I would be pleased if we had 250 to 500 people show up our first year. That might be a high goal, but you always have to aim high.”

According to Falgout, “Downtown on the Bayou” was always a popular draw. Prior to the hurricanes, it was hosted by the Houma-Terrebonne Arts and Humanities Council.

Falgout stressed that “Fun Fest” won’t be any sort of continuation.

“Most people think we took over ‘Downtown on the Bayou,’ but that’s not exactly accurate,” she said. “We’re going to start on a smaller scale, so we won’t be closing down Main Street. We want to keep it as user-friendly as possible. Also, it used to always be held in October, and it always incurred horrible weather. We’ll have cooler weather (in November) and be out of the hurricane season.”

“Fun Fest” will be recognized as the Y’s primary fund-raiser. It will incorporate its former fund-raising machine – the Corporate Cup 5K race – into the event.

The YMCA is a non-profit organization that operates solely off of fund-raisers, memberships and charitable contributions.

“A lot of people assume that we get local, state or federal funding, but we don’t,” Falgout said. “All of the money we raise allows us to provide a lot of after-school care, summer camp and field-trip activities for kids. It supplements our scholarship program.”

Buquet-Casey believes the hardworking efforts of her colleagues has helped turn “Fun Fest” into a reality.

“We have a very active (Bayouland YMCA) board,” she said. “I think that speaks volumes as to where we can go as an organization. It (“Fun Fest”) is great to see, and I expect to see more great things in the future.”

For more information, call Falgout at (985) 873-9622 or send e-mail to afalgout@bayoulandymca.org.

Let’s hear it for the Bayouland YMCA! Above, volunteers who recently spent the day building a Kaboom playground at the Houma site give a cheer. Monies from the Nov. 10-11 Downtown Family Fun Fest &?5K Run will benefit the James J. Buquet Jr. Bayouland YMCA.