Concerts
March 1, 2007March 9
March 5, 2007
For the 16th year, crowds will converge at the Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival this month.
Set for March 29-April 1, the family-oriented event will once again be held at Kemper Williams Park in Patterson. The proceeds from this year’s event will go to the building fund for the new Louisiana State Museum-Patterson.
Construction of the facility began in February 2004, and the building opened in December 2005. The museum features the Wendell Williams Aviation and the Cypress Sawmill collections.
With a steady flow of live music, numerous sporting events, a two-person saw contest (a passe’ partout), arts and crafts displays, a Cajun cooking contest and a street fair with rides and games, the festival ranks high among the area’s best. In fact, the Southeast Tourism Society tapped the Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival among its “Top 20 Events” in 2003.
Three years later, the festival remains a major draw each March.
The festival was born out of seven St.
Mary Parish residents’ desire to build a Cypress Sawmill Museum. In 2005, that dream was realized, thus ensuring future generations will have the opportunity to know about the way of life upon which the community was built.
In the late 1800s, lumber schooners were often seen in East St. Mary Parish waterways.
Destined for local sawmills, the crafts were headed to Bayou Teche, the lower Atchafalaya River, Bayou Ramos and Bayou Boeuf.
From these mills, lumber products were shipped to various East Coast destinations.
“Patterson was, at the time, the king of the cypress industry. By 1908, it was the site of the largest sawmill in the world, which produced 150,000 board feet per day,” said David Boudier, director of the Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival.
“Our purpose for this festival is to preserve the existence of the cypress sawmill, which is a memory to some, but a history lesson to most,” he explained. “And we do that by showing off our culture to our fellow residents and our neighbors in Terrebonne, Lafourche and Assumption parishes, as well as to the hundreds of visitors
who come in for the event.”
Weekend passes for the event are $20.
Friday only, a $5 gate fee will be charged.
The festival kicks off at 3 p.m. with several arts and crafts booths showing their wares.
At 5 p.m., the street fair gets under way.
Mitchell Brothers Amusement is providing the rides. There’s also an Amazon Jungle, rock climbing and bungie jumping.
And several antique engines and machinery will be on display.
From 6 to 8:30 p.m., KQKI FM Bayou Vista will present the world’s largest country music talent contest and radio promotion. The winner will compete at the state level for a $1,000 prize.
DeJaVu will perform from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
Saturday’s fun kicks off at 10 a.m. and continues until late into the night. Early birds can enjoy the fishing, softball and horseshoe tournaments.
Performers will include Johnny Firmin & Company, Old Man River Band, Kelsey Dimarco and, following a fireworks show, the Harvey Wallbangers.
Sunday’s fun includes a classic car and truck display, Hooter’s national softball finals and a poker run.
The street fair opens at 10 a.m., and the queen’s passé patout begins at 2 p.m.
Entertainers the final day include Family Tradition, Barry Badon and the Bayou Boys Band, and Bits and Pieces.
For more information about the festival, visit www.cypresssawmill.com, or contact Bourdier at (985) 395-3720.
