Travel to Lebeau Louisiana and the Zydeco Music Festival

Exit 27 on I-49 to Louisiana Highway 10 and Lebeau

As one journeyed from Alexandria to Baton Rouge for decades on U.S. Highway 71, a stopping point along the way has been Stelly's, located in the small town of Lebeau.

If we didn't stop at Bunkie or Krotz Springs, we stopped at Lebeau on our way to see the LSU Fighting Tigers play in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge!

Lebeau's Location in St. Landry Parish

The unincorpoated community of Lebeau is located south of the town of Morrow on US 71, and west of Palmetto, and about 10 miles from Washington on LA Highway 10.

Stelly's Service Station, Restaurant and Supermarket

We clearly remember our stops at Stelly's during the 1950s and 1960s. We passed through Lebeau hundreds of times before the completion of I-49 from Opelousas to Alexandria.

Stelly's has been serving the traveling public at that locale since 1927.

Stelly's of Lebeau ... since 1927

Today, Joel Stelly is the well known owner of Stelly's Supermarket, and creator of superb boudin. We highly recommend a visit, at 8611 Highway 71 in Lebeau, phone number (337) 623-3434.

Lebeau Zydeco Festival

The Lebeau Zydeco Festival takes place the first Saturday of July each year on the grounds of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lebeau. It is a small festival, but with a large, dedicated following from around Louisiana, and the USA.

Zydeco evolved in the late 19th century within the black Creole population of southern and southwestern Louisiana.

Zydeco combines elements of an older American musical style which began in the late 1700s, which is Cajun music, which comprises French fiddle tunes, Irish Celtic fiddle tunes, German button accordion, Latin rhythms, and Appalachian styles.

Zydeco music was born in the late 1860s as a blend of Cajun music and two other "new" American music styles: blues and rhythm and blues. Sometimes the music was performed in the Catholic Church community centers, as Creoles were mostly Catholic. Later it moved to rural dance halls and nightclubs.

 

The festivities kick off at mid-day and continue well into the night. Regular Lebeau Zydeco Fest performers include favorites such as Chris Ardoin, Lil Nathan & the Zydeco Big Timers, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band and Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers.

Read more about the Zydeco Festival and more about Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Map of Lebeau Louisiana

 

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