Grab your lawn chairs and sun hats and get ready for a sun-soaked day of music and good spirits in Leesville—the beating heart of Louisiana Legend Country. A springtime tradition for four decades, MayFest is Vernon Parish’s premier seasonal festival, and features free live music, a craft fair, and food vendors. On May 3 and 4, this free, family-friendly festival takes over the Leesville Historic District and transforms the courthouse lawn into a dance floor. Vernon Parish Tourism Commission sponsors this rollicking event, inviting visitors and locals to enjoy a lineup of eclectic music and good eats.
Headliners
The winner of a Louey Award in 2012, MayFest honors Louisiana’s extraordinary musical heritage, delivering an eclectic lineup of choirs, bands, and styles. This year, revelers will hear the sounds of horns when nine-piece Natchitoches band Johnny Earthquake and the Moon Dogs showcases R&B, rock, and jazz from across the decades. They’ll take in the sounds of local choirs, and two-step as Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters deliver a blazing set of zydeco tunes. Louisiana-raised, Nashville-based Alex Smith will close out a round-the-clock musical weekend. See the complete lineup below for more details.
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Dancing at Mayfest
MayFest 23, photo courtesy of Rickie Smith
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MayFest2023
MayFest 23, photo courtesy of Rickie Smith
Music and More
Beyond the stages, MayFest offers much more. On Saturday the Leesville Lions Club hosts its annual Pancake Breakfast, with proceeds benefiting the Louisiana Lions Camp for Children with Special Needs. Vendors and local merchants showcase art and wares both days, and over on 3rd Street, local artists’ co-op, Gallery One Ellleven, will again host “ClayFest,” gathering artists from across the South to debut ceramics works. Between all these festivities, grab a bite to eat from one of the many local vendors who will be grilling and sizzling throughout the weekend. Visit LegendCountry.com/MayFest to find out more.
MayFest 23, photo courtesy of Rickie Smith
MayFest 2024 Live Entertainment Lineup
FRIDAY, MAY 3
4 pm–5 pm – OLD MAN BAND
5:15 pm–6:15 pm – GYPSY LA BLUE
6:30 pm–7:30 pm – HURRICANE JUNCTION
7:45 pm–8:45 pm – BAD MOON RISING
9 pm–10:30 pm – ROCKIN’ DOPSIE, Jr.
SATURDAY, MAY 4
9 am–9:50 am – OPENING CEREMONY
10 am—10:50 am – JOHNSON TEMPLE CHOIR
11 am—11:50 am – HEART UNITED CHOIR
12 pm–12:50 pm – PLEASANT HILL CHOIR
1 pm–2 pm – THE AMAZING RHYTHM DISCIPLES GROUP
2:15 pm–3:15 pm – LOUISIANA SCRAMBLE
3:30 pm–4:30 pm – JOSH HYDE AND THE LOST PARISH
4:45 pm–5:45 pm – DASH PAZ
6 pm–7:15 pm – DAVID SYLVESTER
7:30 pm–8:45 pm – JOHNNY EARTHQUAKE & THE MOON DOGS
9 pm–10:30 pm – ALEX SMITH
