BASTROP, La. – Festivals are making a comeback around the ArkLaMiss with loosened COVID-19 restrictions. After a year without festivals due to the pandemic, Morehouse Parish is ecstatic to bring back Morehouse May Madness.
Morehouse May Madness Festival in Bastrop kicked off without a hitch and a lot of anticipation. It’s the fourth annual street festival in downtown Bastrop.
Festival board member, Jennifer Stephenson, says the festival is one way to bring the community together.
“When I was a child, we used to do this festival. A festival similar to this here on the courthouse and we stopped having it, that’s kind of how we started it back again. We just missed having something downtown closing the streets so that’s how it kind of came about several of us got together and decided to have this festival again and just bring the community together,” Stephenson said.
The fun-filled event is stacked with live local music, a kids zone, food vendors, merchants, and even an art and classic car exhibit.
Festival-goers and organizers are excited for a change in pace.
“I think it’s helping lift spirits, especially this year because we’ve all been locked in for a year. So this year is our biggest show yet and we’re so excited about all the support we’ve gotten this year,” Patricia Bordelon, festival board member, said.
Morehouse Parish residents say the return of the festival is bringing back a sense of pride to the area. Proceeds from the festival are used to fund future festivals and community projects.
Next year, they want the festival to be an even bigger and better celebration.
The South Franklin Catfish Festival in Wisner and the Mayhaw Festival in El Dorado took place this weekend as well.
