WHO: TECHE Project

WHAT: Shake Your Trail Feather Festival

WHERE: Parc des Ponts (Bridge Park), Breaux Bridge, La.

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 2015

The TECHE Project is proud to announce the 4th annual Shake Your Trail Feather Festival. This event raises funds to create projects and maintain facilities along the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail. 

The nationally-recognized Bayou Teche Paddle Trail is drawing people from around the globe to experience paddling in Cajun Country. Shake Your Trail Feather will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 17. 

The cost is free, however, the TECHE Project is raising funds for the Paddle Trail by selling an official festival pin for $5. Food, beverages and merchandise will also be available for purchase. 

Concert performances will include The St. Bernard School Musicians (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Heritage Stage), David Greely and Megan Brown (noon-1 p.m., Cajun), The Magnolia Sisters (1:30-3:30 p.m., Cajun/Zydeco) and Horace Trahan and Ossun Express (4-6 p.m., Zydeco). 

Boat building on the Teche will be the theme of the Heritage Stage. There will be interviews with boat builders, a premiere of Charles Richard's documentary about wooden boat builders "In the Mind of the Maker" and boat carving demonstrations.

Anya Burgess with the Magnolia Sisters and one of the founding members of the TECHE Project, describes the festival as "a wonderful family event in a beautiful place. The Trail Feather Festival is not only fun to attend but gives you a good feeling to know that you are supporting such a good cause."

Pack and Paddle is providing a kayak for raffle. For a $3 ticket you can try your luck at winning a Jackson Journey touring kayak. Cajun Paddle will also host a "Paddle to the Party" float trip. Kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats will paddle from Poche Bridge to the park with a floating band escort. 

In addition, The TECHE Project is partnering with TRAIL to host the "Trail Feathers" bike event with three routes. There is also a combined cycle and paddle to the party option available. For more information about these activities, contact BayouTecheExperience.com (paddle) and techeproject@gmail.com (bike and bike/paddle).

There will be artisans selling their wares, and the TECHE Project members and partner organizations (Sierra Club, TRAIL, Tour du Teche, Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Park) will be onsite to provide educational information and demonstrations about the various projects taking place on the bayou. There will be many activities and face painting for kids. Teche Project encourages revelers to come adorned as birds and compete for the Best "Bayou Bird" prize.

St. Martin Parish Tourism and the City of Breaux Bridge have partnered with the TECHE Project to make this event possible. 

"We have always cherished the history and culture that is endemic to Bayou Teche, and now we are excited to see Bayou Teche being recognized as Louisiana's first National Water Trail," said Dona Degatur Richard, director of the St. Martin Parish Tourist Commission. "The TECHE Project continues to be a positive influence for the bayou and is working hard to build a first class paddle trail. Trails that accommodate bicyclists, runners and paddlers are great ways to draw tourists to our parish, and also improve the quality of life for those of us who work and live on the bayou."