The 76th International Rice Festival is right around the corner. The line up of music and entertainment has been released, and your favorite local artists are ready to take the stage. According to KATC TV3, the line up is as follows:

Live Band Schedule at Cajun Country Rice Sound Stage

Thursday, October 18, 2012
7 p.m. -9:30 p.m. Kira Viator & Bayou Beat
Kira and the Bayou Beats opening up the festival with her award-winning sound have become a tradition in recent years.
10 p.m. -12 midnight The Molly Ringwalds
The Mollie Ringwalds have also become a Thursday night tradition at the Rice Festival with their 80′s music and clothing. The ‘Mollies’ have always been a festival hit.

Friday, October 19, 2012
3 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. T. J. Gautreaux
5:45 p.m. – 8 p.m. Geno Delafosse & French Rockin’ Boogie
Geno has always brought his own style of Zydeco to all the venues he has played. The Eunice native has played across the U.S. and have played several shows in foreign countries.
8:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Wayne Toups & Zydecajun (Cajun Set)
10 p.m.-12 midnight Wayne Toups & Zydecajun (Zydecajun Set)
Could anyone imagine a Rice Festival without Crowley native Wayne Toups? The Crowley native has played at countless prior festivals and was one of the pioneers of Cajun and Zydeco music. He will be playing two sets one featuring the Cajun music that first got him noticed and the second featuring his ‘Zydecajun’ set.

Saturday, October 20,2012
1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Oddfellows
5:30 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners
Leroy Thomas, also known as “the Jewel of the Bayou,” is one of the most gifted, versatile, and dynamic musicians on the zydeco scene. With an unmatched repertoire of Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, R&B, and Country music he mixes an ideal combination of traditional zydeco with his own innovative, funky, hard-driving sound.
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. Jaryd Lane
There is a sense of honesty, integrity, richness and power that speaks true through the sounds of Jaryd Lane allowing him to reach his audience in a way that seems near effortless. He connects to ordinary working people through lyrics that make a simple testament to their dreams, aspirations and hopes.
10:30 p.m.-12 midnight Sammy Kershaw
This man requires no introduction. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications among them. He is also a force in Louisiana political circles having made a impressive run for the Louisiana Lt.Governor’s seat.

Schedule of Events at Cajun Country Rice Sound Stage

Friday, October 19, 2012
76th Official Festival Opening
9 a.m. Official Opening of the Rice Festival
Opening remarks by Brady Williams, 2012 International Rice Festival President.
Introduction and Remarks, Miss Macy Michelle LeBlanc, 2011 International Rice Festival Queen.
Welcome, the Honorable Greg Jones, Mayor of the City of Crowley
9:10 a.m. – 9:45.a.m. Entertainment by 3rd Dragon Karate Academy
10 a.m. Entertainment by Core Dance Center
Children’s Junior King & Queen Contest
10:15 a..m Entertainment by International Rice Festival Dance Troupe
11:30 a.m. Crowning of the International Rice Festival Junior King & Queen
by the Acadia Parish Superintendent of Schools, Mr. John Bourque and Mrs. John Bourque. Presentation of savings bonds by representative of Office Centre/Teacher’s Pet. Trophies sponsored by JC & Suzy Webb.
11:45 a.m. Entertainment by Dolores Nutt School of Dance.
12 p.m. International Rice Eating Contest
12:30 p.m. Entertainment by Tumbling Tots and Teens
1:15 p.m. Rice Grading and Sheaf Award
1:15 p.m. Rice and Creole Cooking Contest Awards
Chef de Riz Award presented by Letha Vincent, Chairwoman
1:25 p.m. Presentation of the 2012 Children’s Parade Grand Marshal, Ann Mire
1:30 p.m. International Rice Festival Children’s Parade

Events scheduled for Saturday, October 20, 2012
8 a.m. 5K Run Walk
9:15 a.m. 5K Run Walk Awards
9:20 a.m. 76th Official Festival Opening
9:25 a.m. Millworkers of the Year
Presentation of awards to the 2012 Outstanding Millworker
Cajun Country Rice/Falcon Rice Mill… Derek Broussard / Louisiana Rice Mill… Veronica Broussard
9:30 a.m. Entertainment by International Rice Festival Dance Troupe
9:45 a.m. Presentation of Visiting Queens
10 a.m. International Rice Festival Queen’s Pageant
Special appearance by International Rice Festival Dance Troupe
10:30 a.m. President’s Choice Award
Presentation by Brady Williams, 2012 International Rice Festival President.
10:40 a.m. Crowning of the 2012 International Rice Festival Queen by Festival Honoree, Randy Jemison
10:50 a.m. Presentations to the 2012 International Rice Festival Queen
The “Bill Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund” donated by Iberia Bank, presented by Romona Credeur
Sonic Scholarship donated by Sonic, presented by Doris Reiners.
Cajun Country Rice Scholarship donated by Cajun Country Rice, presented by Robby Trahan.
- Union Pacific Foundation Scholarship donated by Union Pacific, presented by Drew Tessier. Senator Dan Morrish Scholarship donated & presented by Senator Dan Morrish.
- 11 a.m. Frog Derby sponsored by City of Rayne / Rayne Lions Club.
- 2:30 p.m. Presentation of the 2012 Grand Parade Grand Marshal, Gene Williams.
- 3 p.m. International Rice Festival Grand Parade sponsored by Carmichael’s Pharmacy & Medical Supplies. The grandest of all grand parades.

Live Band Schedule at LA Rice Stage

Thursday, October 18, 2012
- 10 p.m.-midnight The Joel Martin Project

Friday, October 19, 2012
3 p.m.-5 p.m. Colby Latiolais and Ambush featuring Chad Sheldon
5:30 p.m. -7:15 p.m. Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys
7:45 p.m. -9:40 p.m. Travis Matte & the King Pins
10 p.m. – 12 midnight The Chee Weez

Saturday, October 20, 2012
1 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Bonne Chance
5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Blaine Roy and Second Wind
7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Louisiana Red
10 p.m.-midnight Bag-Of-Donuts

Schedule of Events at LA Rice Stage

Friday, Oct. 19, 2012
1:30 p.m. Children’s Parade

Saturday, October 20, 2012
9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Accordion and Fiddle Contests
Special Appearance by the International Rice Festival Dance Troupe
3 p.m. International Rice Festival Grand Parade

Schedule of Events at locations other than Main Street

Thursday, October 11, 2012
Farmers Appreciation Dinner

Wednesday, October 17, 2012
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Rice Grading Contest
USDA MARKETING SERVICE Grain Division, West Hwy 90
7 p.m. Senior Citizens Ball
RICE FESTIVAL BUILDING 717 West Mill Street

Friday, October 19, 2012
9:30 a.m. Rice and Creole Cooking Contest
LSU AG CENTER 157 Cherokee Drive
10 a.m. Opening of Outdoor Arts and Crafts Show
LEVY PARK between 3rd and 4th Street
1 p.m. Rice Threshing Demonstration
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 4th Street & Avenue G
Shock Building and Sack Sewing Contest
An old time rice threshing, hosted by Notre Dame Ag-Science Dept., Rice Museum & The First Baptist Church.

Saturday, October 20, 2012
10th Annual International Rice (Poker) Run
8 a.m. Registration begins
RICE PALACE I-10, exit 80
8:50 a.m. Bikes leave
2 p.m. Awards Presentation – LA Rice Mill Sound Stage
Classic Car Show
7 a.m. – 10 a.m. Registration, judging begins at 10:00 a.m., 1:45 p.m. – Awards presentation
BANK OF COMMERCE PARKING LOT 326 North Avenue G

Sunday, October 21, 2012
12 noon-6 p.m. – Family Fun Day

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