Black Bear Festival will go on as planned this weekend

This weekend marks the 12th Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival along Parc sur la Teche in Franklin.
Though the weather forecast is calling for inclement conditions, the festival is set to go on as scheduled.
“We will close as needed if lightning, strong winds or anything like that presents a safety hazard,” festival organizer Edgar Dugas said this morning.
Headlining this year’s musical entertainment are:
Friday
6-8 p.m. - Driftwood
8:30-10:30 p.m. - Krossfyre
Saturday
Noon-2 p.m. - The 5 O’clock Shadows Band
3-5 p.m. - FlashBack
5:45-7:45 p.m. Hal Bruni
8 p.m. - Fireworks Display
8:30-10:30 p.m. Johnny Chauvin
Sunday
1:30-3:30 p.m. - Old Soul
4-6 p.m. - Deja’ Vu
The other events and attractions set for this weekend include:
Arts and Crafts (Free Viewing Zone) along Bayou Teche throughout the festival hours.
BEARS: Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service special event station will be held under the Parc sur la Teche pavilion along the Bayou Teche. The station will be in operation Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bear Raffle on the main stage, Saturday 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $1 each, or $5 for six.
Motorized boat trips into the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge are free but preregistration is required at the US Fish & Wildlife tent near the boat landing at Teche Drive near Willow Street. Tour times are 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tours are Saturday only.
Tours are guided by the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Friends of Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge. Advanced reservations are required. Groups will be limited in size for optimal viewing experience.
Register early at the tent as trips fill quickly. Hiking, birding and wildlife viewing information on the refuge is available at:
www.bayoutecherefugefriends.org.
The popular Cajun Horseshoes event, old fashioned horseshoes using toilet seats, is Saturday at 1 p.m. at Veterans Park across the bayou. Registration fee is $20 per team and each team will consist of two players 18 years old or older.
The Friends of Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge will hold a Canoe Adventure into the Bayou Teche Refuge Saturday and Sunday. For more information contact Donovan Garcia at 337-923-9718.
Commercial food vendors will be on the bayouside during the entirety of the show.
Fireworks on the Bayou will go off at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Kids’ Fun Zone on Teche Drive Friday 5-10 p.m. Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Running of the Bears 5K Run/Walk hosted by Teche Action Clinic kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse Square.
Dr. Donna Tesi and Franklin Foundation Hospital staff members will host the annual Teddy Bear Clinic Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Teche Drive.
Children ages 12 and under can bring their teddy bears, rabbits, puppies, ninja turtles or whatever stuffed animal they have that needs repairs to our tent to get that special buddy fixed up. Dr. Tesi will provide proper diagnosis and care while she administers minor repairs including stitches, bandages and more.
Souvenirs, festival shirts, posters and more will be sold throughout the festival weekend.