Tugboats to dock for Downtown at Sundown
Published 6:23 pm Thursday, May 17, 2018
John Guidroz
Local band Tugboats will kick off the 20th annual Downtown at Sundown outdoor concert series, starting 6-9 p.m. Friday at the 1000 block of Ryan Street in front of Historic City Hall and the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse.
Other performers include Rusty Metoyer and Zydeco Krush on May 25; The Lost Bayou Ramblers on June 1; and The Flamethrowers on June 8.
Denise Fasske, event director, said the free concert series has grown from crowds of roughly 200 people in the early years, to thousands.
“It was very sparse in the beginning,” Fasske said. “The mission was to bring people downtown to start thinking about revitalization. It has truly done its job because we have revitalized.”
During the May 25 show, local officials will bury a time capsule that was unearthed last year for the city of Lake Charles’ sesquicentennial. Fasske said the time capsule will remain buried on the grounds of Historic City Hall until 2067, the city’s bicentennial. It will include various memorabilia, recordings from area officials wishing the city well, along with details of the city’s 150th anniversary celebration.
“When we opened it last year, it was neat to see people who remembered being there 50 years ago when it was buried,” Fasske said.
On June 1, the city and the McNeese State University Foundation will host a program recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. Past recipients of the Codofil scholarship will be honored.
Also, the Lake Charles Chapter of the Cajun French Music Association is partnering with the city and McNeese Foundation to donate funds to the Cajun French Music Association’s scholarship. The donation will honor Hazel Cormier, a long-time member of the association’s local chapter. For a small donation, residents can sign a canvas with a fleur-de-lis.
Food and beverage vendors will be at each event, along with vendors selling merchandise. Beverage sales will benefit the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana.
Lawn chairs are allowed. Ice chests and pets are prohibited.
In case of rain, the concerts will be held at the Civic Center.
For more information, call 491-9159 or visit www.cityoflakecharles.com.
