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BREAUX BRIDGE, La. --- The TECHE Project is proud to announce the 12th annual Shake Your Trail Feather Festival: A celebration of the Bayou Teche National Paddle Trail to be held on Oct. 21, 2023.
The Shake Your Trail Feather event is twofold, comprising a “Paddle Parade” and a “Party in the Parc” with food and live music.
The Paddle Parade will start at Poche’s Country Club (3027 Main Hwy., Breaux Bridge) at 10 a.m. and goes 6.5 miles to Lil’s on the Teche south of Breaux Bridge. For those wishing to paddle a shorter distance, paddlers can pull out at Parc des Ponts in Breaux Bridge after 4.5 miles.
Paddle Parade:
The whacky, feather-clad Paddle Parade (no motorized boats, please) will float down Bayou Teche accompanied by live music with two Cajun bands playing on decorated barges. According to Holland, “Tickets to paddle are available on Eventbrite, and the paddle ticket also includes the annual Event Pin featuring our 2023 theme bird. This year’s bird is the Northern Cardinal, a common songbird along the bayou and one that is admired for its radiant red coloring. The TECHE Project also encourages residents along the bayou to join the fun by watching from the bayou bank.
Party in the Parc:
After the parade, a celebration of the Bayou Teche National Paddle Trail will take place at Parc des Ponts in Breaux Bridge. Anyone who is interested can come usher in the paddlers and show their support for the bayou. Starting at 11:30 a.m., there will be food vendors, libations, merchandise and kids’ activities. Live music with Corey Ledet & his Zydeco Band will be playing on the stage from noon to 2 p.m.
According to TECHE Project Administrator Erin Bass, “The celebration in the park is free to the public, but we encourage everyone to purchase a festival pin to support the work The TECHE Project is doing to build a first-class National Paddle Trail and ensure that Bayou Teche stays clean and beautiful.”
Other event highlights include prizes for those dressed as birds and the ever-popular kayak raffle by Pack and Paddle at 2 p.m.
About The TECHE Project:
The TECHE Project is a nonprofit group working to enhance the quality of life for communities and recreationalists on the bayou. This volunteer group does periodic bayou cleanups and manages the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail, the only National Water Trail in Louisiana! The TECHE Project is pleased to announce that in 2023, the National Paddle Trail infrastructure was completed.
Executive Director Patti Holland says, “There are now access docks in all 15 communities on Bayou Teche, and the trailheads are spaced between five and 12 miles apart, which is a nice half-day paddle, leaving ample time to enjoy the culture and sites along the way.”
Proceeds from the event go toward building and managing the Bayou Teche National Paddle Trail.
For more information visit TecheProject.org and their Facebook page or contact Erin Bass at (337) 706-2323 or techeproject@gmail.com.
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