Leleux leads talk of the 79th International Rice Festival

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, gather around as organizers with the 79th International Rice Festival tell you about this year’s fast-approaching festivities.
At Tuesday’s Rotary Club of Crowley meeting, Rotarian and President-Elect of the Rice Festival Elisabeth Leleux led the program and discussion of the 79th International Rice Festival.
Leleux filled in for President Troy Perry, who was unable to attend.
Coupled with a promotional video shot during last year’s festival, the talk was mostly an overview of this year’s full slate and compliments to the organizers for putting on a great, safe and clean festival year in and year out. The latter of which came from Leleux’s fellow Rotarians.
Speaking of this year’s festival. Leleux mentioned the honorees and spoke a little about them. When she arrived at the Grand Parade marshals, she advised that while two were chosen – Ernest “E.P.” Shreve and Michael Pastor – all of the community’s military members are to be honored as part of the “Red, Rice and Blue” theme.
She explained that any member of a military branch has been urged to contact Pastor or the International Rice Festival office as they will be honored during the parade and hopes are to have a float for the military members.
The group was also presented the stacked band lineup for this year.
“Wear your tennis shoes,” said Leleux. “You’ll be running between stages with this entertainment.”
Headlining the entertainment this year is Charlie Daniels. His set is scheduled from 10:30 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Courthouse Grounds Stage.
From there, the program devolved into a discussion amongst the Rotarians which focused mostly on the festival’s safety and cleanliness.
“They really emphasize the safety,” said Ted Carmichael. “This is the safest festival in the state. No doubt about it.”
Leleux replied that that was a credit to the local law enforcement that has created task forces and placed stiffer penalties against those who commit crimes at the festival.
The 79th International Rice Festival is set for Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18. Entertainment is scheduled for both stages the Thursday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. (both stages), Friday at 3 p.m. (both stages) and Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (Fourth Street Stage) and noon (Courthouse Grounds Stage).
For more information, visit ricefestival.com.