Paddle Bayou Lafourche turns 10!

The Tri-parishes are known for scenic waterways, the most famous of which is Bayou Lafourche. Yet, many of us have never experienced the bayou firsthand.

But that is changing.

The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) is hosting a backyard trip, a four-day, 52-mile excursion down “the world’s longest street.”

Set for April 7-10, the annual trip draws about 150 paddlers who travel in canoes, kayaks or pirogues.

“Some people go all four days, some only go one,” said Shelley Sparks, Paddle Bayou Lafourche project manager.

At the end of each day, campsites will greet travelers. And special events – appearances the band Tommy G and Stormy Weather and the United Houma Indian Nation Tribe and a stop at the Relay for Life at Nicholls State University – are planned for each night. Meals are included in the registration price.

A limited number of tickets are available to non-paddlers who would still like to join the nightly campsite events.

For travelers who opt to forgo camping, out, discounts are available at a number of bed and breakfasts and hotels along the route, Sparks said. A shuttle service will be available, too.

The trip extends from Donaldsonville to Lockport, with stops in Napoleonville, Thibodaux and Raceland along the way.

“It’s all about getting people back on the bayou,” Sparks said. “It’s been absolutely fantastic to see the number of locals who are signing up for the trip. That’s the whole reason we originally started this was for people from the area to get back on the bayou and see what a great resource it is.

“And we do have a lot of people who come from all parts of the country,” she added. “They continuously come back every year. We call them ‘repeat offenders,’ and we’re always glad to see them. We’re proud and glad to get some new blood in as well with locals.”

In celebration of the 10th year, Donaldsonville’s Downtown Development District is hosting a kickoff party April 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. The following day, at 8:30 a.m., boats set down, stopping at Madewood Plantation. The second day, paddlers will travel to the Jean Lafitte Wetlands Cultural Center. And day three’s stop will be at the home of Dr. Mike and Brenda Dardar Robichaux. A regatta of traditional boats will greet paddlers at the Center for Traditional Boat Building in Lockport.

“Paddlers will see everything from a Civil War site to plantations and plenty of wildlife,” Sparks said. “Bayou Lafourche is an incredible cultural, historical and ecological resource. This trip will give people a real appreciation for the bayou.”

Expect also to be greeted by Louisiana’s renowned southern hospitality. Residents who live along the bayou often cheer on paddlers, Sparks said. “They’ll make signs and welcome the paddlers along the way.”

BTNEP has 20 canoes available for rent. The cost is $50 per day ($190 for all four days), and includes the canoe rental, meals, snacks and water, a T-shirt, camping facilities, nightly entertainment and shuttle service.

For more information, contact Shelley Sparks at (800) 259-0869 or shelley@btnep.org.