Melvin Picou Jr.
October 21, 2015We face real challenges to representative democracy
October 21, 2015
Half man, half wolf – the rougarou, the swamp creature at the crux of many a southern childhood story, is the main attraction of the annual Rougarou Fest, now in its fourth year. The family-friendly fright fest converges on downtown Houma Saturday, serving as the primary fundraiser for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center, a non-profit organization committed to revolutionizing the way we learn about and protect our state’s disappearing coast.
A blessing of the grounds and the national anthem, sung by 12-year-old local Myra Berthiaume will welcome attendees at 10 a.m. Saturday, with Pin the Tail on the Rougarou, Crawfish Toss and more keeping the little ones busy throughout the day. Humans and their furry companions may participate in a costume contest at 5 p.m. and two of the festival’s main attractions, the Rougarou Run and Krewe Ga Rou Halloween Parade, are set for 6 and 7 p.m. respectively. The run, a challenge course through the downtown area, pits participants again zombies and swamp monsters in a battle for survival. Once you’ve crossed the finish line, make your way to the parade route, which begins at Town Hall and runs along Barrow, Main and Grinage streets, to witness a dazzling display of floats, ATVs, lawn mowers and more. You’ll even catch a glimpse of the festival’s Rougarou Queen.
And the fun doesn’t end Saturday evening. The festival added a second day to the increasingly-popular event, beginning with an Episcopal service at 9 a.m. Sunday, followed by beignets, coffee, traditional jazz and Cajun music and pirogue races set to hit the water at noon. Carnival rides will be available throughout the weekend in the public parking areas on Park Avenue in the downtown area.
When your stomach starts rumbling, head to the food court to snag a bite of local favorites like pop rouge ice cream and fried catfish. Mudbug Brewery will also be on hand, pouring pints of the festival’s signature beer, an exclusive recipe of fall flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. Be sure to peruse the vendor booths as well. You might also run into this year’s
festival poster artist, Molly McGuire, who will be on-hand to mingle with festival attendees throughout the weekend.
Throughout the two-day event, an array of local talent will also take to the stage, filling the air with R&B, progressive rock and a little soul. Ben Labat and The Happy Devil, a local act known for its acoustic take on a variety of genres, caps off the weekend’s events at 3 p.m. Sunday. And if that was enough, attendees can also surround themselves in a spooktacular sculpture exhibit, “Ghosts of the Louisiana Gulf Coast.” The display, open Oct. 10, 17 and 24 from 7-11 p.m. at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, features original interpretations of some familiar bayou icons brought to life in the form of wax sculptures crafted by popular local artists.
The 4th Annual Rougarou Fest is Saturday, Oct 24 from 10a.m. – 10p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 25from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in downtown Houma. All proceeds raised benefit South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center programs. •
STREET CLOSURES
FOR ROUGAROU FEST
Several downtown Houma streets will be closed during Rougarou Fest, held Oct. 24 from 10 a.m. -10 p.m. and Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closures include:
-Main Street (Lafayette to Roussell Street): 10 a.m. -11 p.m. Oct. 24 and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Oct. 26
-Belanger Street (Grinage Street to Roussell Street): 5 p.m. Oct. 23 through 6 a.m. Oct. 26
-Church Street (School Street to Park Avenue): 5 p.m. Oct. 23 through 6 a.m. Oct. 26
-Goode Street (School Street to Park Avenue): 5 p.m. Oct. 23 through 6 a.m. Oct. 26
-Goode Street (Verret Street to School Street): 5:30 – 7 p.m. Oct. 24
-School Street (Grinange Street to Barrow Street): 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 24-Grinage Street (Verrret Street to Main Street): 5:30 – 9 p.m. Oct. 24
-Roussell Street (Verret Street to School Street): 5:30 – 7 p.m. Oct. 24
-Roussell Street (School Street to Park Avenue): 5:30 – 9 p.m. Oct. 24
-Barrow Street (Bond Street to Park Avenue): 5:30 – 9 p.m. Oct. 24
-Public parking lot at 7874 Park Avenue: 5 p.m. Oct. 21 through 6 a.m. Oct. 26
The Rougarou Fest is the primary fundraiser for the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center – a non-profit committed to revolutionizing the way we learn about and protect our state’s disappearing coast.
The Rougarou Fest will take place from Oct. 24-25 in Downtown Houma. All proceeds will benefit the South Louisiana Wetlands Discovery Center programs.
