Patterson’s Cypress Sawmill a sure bet

History buffs can party with a purpose April 9-11 at the 20th annual Cypress Sawmill Festival in Patterson.

“It’s the purpose of our festival,” said the event’s founder David Bourdier. “Originally, our intention was to raise money to build a Cypress Sawmill Museum. Now, in the wake of this economy and state budget cuts, our intentions are to keep raising money to keep it open.”

The Louisiana State Museum in Patterson focuses on the cypress sawmill industry. The museum also traces aviation in south Louisiana all the way back to 1928. That year, two aviators, Jimmie Wedell and Harry Williams, formed an air service in Patterson. Wedell and Williams would become nationally prominent during the Golden Age of Aviation.

Car enthusiasts can also check out a 1928 Isotta Fraschini – one of only two reportedly left in the world – at the museum. Purchased in 1928, Williams and his wife, Marguerite Clark, known as “America’s Darling of Broadway and the Silent Screen,” owned the vehicle.

“The museum will be open the entire time during our festival, so if you’re a history buff, you just can’t miss a good time for your mind and your spirit,” Bourdier said.

More adventurous festival-goers will enjoy the mechanical bull and bungee jump – “our new attractions this year,” he interjected.

And back by popular demand are the All-American Lumberjacks, who debuted their crosscut sawing, logrolling and ax-throwing skills at last year’s event. Show times are posted on the fairgrounds.

A “Top 20” must-see event, according to the Southeast Tourism Society, the Cypress Sawmill Festival was named “Festival of the Year” in 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

For three days, Kemper Williams Park and Campground (located at Cotton Road and U.S. Highway 90) is a non-stop hub for family fun. A car admission is charged at the gate: $5 on Friday, $10 on Saturday and Sunday, or visitors can buy a weekend-long pass for $20.

Cajun food and music highlight the event.

Saturday’s musical lineup includes Na Na Sha, the Old Man River Band, Explosion, Southern Skkyy, Gene Romero’s Boogie ‘n’ Brass and Waylon Thibodeaux.

“He’s known as Louisiana’s Rockin’ Fiddler,” Bourdier said. “Did you know he is a self-taught Cajun musician? Thibodeaux describes his music as a mixture of Cajun and Zydeco with a pinch of New Orleans’ sound.”

Also, aspiring musicians can test their vocals April 9 at the KQKI Country Music Showdown. For more information, visit www.kqki.com.

In addition to the museum, food and music, Boudier said the weekend includes a classic car and truck display, softball tournaments, arts and crafts, a gumbo cookoff, free petting zoo and street fair with rides and games.

Golfers have their day in the sun, too, April 9, with the tee off of the 5th annual Cypress Sawmill Golf Tournament at the Atchafalaya Golf Course at Idlewild in Patterson.

For more festival information, call (985) 395-4905 or visit www.cypresssawmill.com.