The official Books Along the Teche Literary Festival: Celebrating New Iberia, Dave Robicheaux’s Hometown & Great Southern Writers will be held April 6—8, 2018, in New Iberia.
Kick off your vacation with a stay at one of two Good Sam certified parks in the area, Isle of Iberia RV Resort or KOC Kampground. The Isle is the newest campground in Iberia Parish. It includes a swim-up bar, lazy river, splash pad, entertainment and much more. With its close proximity to attractions including Avery Island, Jefferson Island, Shadows-on-the-Teche, Bayou Teche Museum, Conrad Rice Mill and Jeanerette Museum, the Isle is the perfect home base for your trip.
Nationally acclaimed author Ernest J. Gaines is 2018’s Great Southern Writer and will have a symposium with a question and answer session.
Friday – Culinary Demos
Friday’s “Tastes Along the Teche” features cooking demos by several world famous culinary geniuses. Taking participants to various locations from the series and movies, “Dave’s Haunts & Jaunts Tour” is a great way to see Iberia Parish the way Burke describes in his eloquent and vivid descriptions, such as New Iberia’s Main Street, the Teche Motel, Parish Courthouse and the Bayou Teche. Friday night gets moving with “Jazz It Up Opening Reception,” a pig-roast party at the Shadows-on-the-Teche. A jazz band will serenade guests as they dine on the grounds of this National Trust for Historic Preservation site.
Saturday – Symposiums and Live Music
Saturday starts with the Sir Speedy Run, followed by a University of Louisiana at Lafayette Academic Symposium with panel discussions. Dr. Mary Ann Wilson will be joined by James Edmunds, a local writer and photographer. He’ll be speaking about a native’s view of the charming southern city with James Lee Burke’s “The Tin Roof Blowdown” as the academic theme. Iberia Performing Arts League actors will hold “Center Stage Readers’ Theater” with readings “A Gathering of Old Men,” by Ernest J. Gaines.
At “Allons Manger Food Truck & Music Event,” there will be live music and Cajun delicacies in Bouligny Plaza. Authors will sign and sell their books and artisans will sell original creations, including art and specialty foods at the “Authors, Artisans & Aromas Fair.” Bourée lessons and literary workshops will also take place. Saturday evening will showcase Cajun food, music and dance lessons at the “Boogie On Down Evening Party.”
During the weekend, the Grand Theater will show In the Electric Mist, starring Tommy Lee Jones, and Heaven’s Prisoners with Alec Baldwin.
Sunday – Barge Tour and Symphony
On Sunday, set off on a party barge with “T-Boy’s Bayou Adventure Tour”. Get a perspective of New Iberia from the waters of the Bayou Teche. A guide will highlight key points of interest along the way. The afternoon will culminate with a free Symphony Sunday in the Park featuring the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra under the live oaks of New Iberia’s City Park.
For more information and tickets visit BooksAlongTheTecheLiteraryFestival.com. To plan your Iberia Parish getaway visit IberiaTravel.com. Book your stay at IsleOfIberia.com or KOCKampground.com.
