The best week of my year. Ok … maybe a close second to Christmas but it’s not far behind.
A magical week tucked into late April
The weather is mild (most of the time). Our friends are coming out of the Lenten season, rejuvenated and rested. It’s highly likely this is when you’d experience the first sunburn of the year. Days and nights spent outside listening to music from around the world. Eating food that will make your head spin and whether you drink alcohol or not, there are specialty drinks to wet your whistle.
Festival is a season here.
Winter, Spring, FESTIVAL, Summer, Fall. Families emerge with everyone in tow. There isn’t a shortage of dancing, laughing and reminiscing. Lafayette’s downtown streets come alive and there is no place like it anywhere else. Stages filled with music from 11am to 11pm – street venders complete with festival fare – walking crews that are sure to please. I can almost taste the Pamplona sangria and the Pop’s crawfish bread bowl.
My heart hurts.
This year it will be different. COVID-19 has moved in. Not only here, but everywhere. It’s taken a seat at our table, uninvited. Our beloved week … cancelled.
Among many things, we are having to learn to adapt and it’s hard. Festival flags are flying at homes and businesses, but there is no music on the horizon. No stages set up or talk of what bands we will go see perform. No plans to make #FIL2020 memories. Accepting this is hard.
Alas, we will survive. We are a vibrant city with a culture unlike any other. The flags I mentioned earlier, a reminder of just how amazing Festival is. A testament to the spirit our community possesses. I hope I continue to see flags, pins, shirts and hats this week and even though we may not be able to gather downtown, know that I will hold each one of you in my heart. Oh!, and don’t be surprised if you see me dancing as I stream performances over the internet. It’s going to be a great weekend, y’all!
