Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival set to begin April 10

Staff report
Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns will be among the acts performing at this year’s 25th anniversary Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival April 10-12 at Kemper Williams Park near Patterson.
This event is a family festival featuring professional lumberjack shows, chainsaw carving, a cypress sawmill display, golf and softball tournaments, a passé partout (two-person saw) contest, arts and crafts, a street fair with rides and games, a fun walk, and food and drink booths.
Zoo-Zoom, an exotic traveling petting zoo, an old engine display, and a fireworks salute to support services are included in this year’s festivities.
Admission to the park is $5 per car on Friday and $10 per car on Saturday and Sunday. A weekend pass costs $20.
Live local talent will compete in the Country Showdown, a music talent contest, from 6 to 9 p.m. April 10.
The winner of the contest will compete for the state title later this year. The winner of the state title will receive $1,000 and advance to regional finals this fall. Visit www.kqki.com for more information.
Other live entertainment this year will include performances April 10 by Ruff-N-Ready Band, 9:30-11:30 p.m.; April 11 by The Beau Young Band, noon-2:30 p.m., Gregg Martinez and the Delta Kings, 3-6 p.m., Blue-Eyed Soul Revue, 6:30-9 p.m., and South 70 Band, 9:30-11:30 p.m.; and April 12, 90 Degrees West, noon-2 p.m., Nik-L-Beer Band, 2:30-4:30 p.m., and Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin’ Cajuns, 5-7 p.m.
Overnight camping is available at Kemper Williams Park for $35 per unit per day, with a two-day minimum. For reservations, contact Kemper Williams Park at 985-395-2298.
The money raised each year goes to the Wedell-Williams Aviation & Cypress Sawmill Museum.
to help continue educate people about the heritage of the aviation and cypress industry in the Patterson area.
Requests for applications for food vendors, arts & crafts vendors and golf tournament can be sent to Steve Bierhorst at steve.bierhorst@cityofpattersonla.gov.
For a complete schedule of events, contact the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau at 985-380-8224 or 800-256-2931, or visit www.cajuncoast.com/cypresssawmill.