Here's your chance to sound off!  Not everyone enjoys or goes to the annual festival here in Lake Charles.  The question is why?  What keeps you from going?  Is there enough to do?  What about the music line-up?  Is Contraband Days for everyone to enjoy? Or do you already attend? Do you enjoy it?  Is it all good or does the festival need to be revamped?  What about the festivals mascot?  How you feel about that?  We want to know what you think.  Tell us, how do you feel about Contraband days?

Here's a little background on the festival per the Lake Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau website:

Contraband Days
Louisiana Pirate Festival
May 1-13, 2012
www.contrabanddays.com

What's it all about?
How many cities have an annual tradition where the mayor is forced to walk the plank and pirates rule for two weeks? Only one-Lake Charles! That's right, during the annual Contraband Days Pirate Festival. Oh, and this festival is for everyone, not "just" pirates!

Legendary pirate Jean Lafitte is said to have frequented Lake Charles, docking his boat right along the sandy shores. Rumor has it that he's even buried treasure somewhere along its banks. Venture down to the Lake Charles Civic Center seawall and visit with the modern-day "pirates," in full regalia on boats out on the lake. On the first night of Contraband Days, witness the cannon fire as the citizens of Lake Charles try to defend the seawall, only to have the pirates capture the mayor, put him on trial and send him to the lake!

During the two-week long festival, don't miss the opportunity to stroll through the carnival rides and games, or take in some of the live music and fantastic performances going on during the festival.

For the latest updated schedule of events for Contraband Days, visit www.contrabanddays.com or call the festival office at (337) 436-5508.

Contraband Days has been named a Top 20 event by the Southeast Tourism Society for the month of April and a Top 100 Event in North America by the American Bus Association.

HERE'S THIS YEARS MUSIC LINE-UP:

Outdoor "Malibu Rum" Stage

Friday, May 4th, 2012

06:00 PM: Ryan Andreas

07:30 PM: Beverly McClellan

09:00 PM: The Molly Ringwalds

Saturday, May 5th, 2012

11:00 AM: The Chris Shearman

Experience (LA Indie)

12:00 PM: Bobcat (LA Indie)

02:00 PM: Startisan (LA Indie)

03:30 PM: Maps and Makers

(LA Indie)

05:00 PM: Peter Simon (LA Indie)

07:00 PM: Rusty Metoyer & the

Zydeco Krush

09:00 PM: The Zapp Band

10:30 PM: Lingus (LA Indie)

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

01:00 PM: Sinners (LA Indie)
03:00 PM: The Downhearted
(LA Indie)
05:00 PM: Jet Jaguar (LA Indie)
07:00 PM: Loaded 44rz (LA Indie)


Friday, May 11th, 2012

05:00 PM: Mark Reeves Band

08:00 PM: KZWA "Block Party"

10:00 PM: KZWA "Block Party"

Saturday, May 12th, 2012

12:00 PM: Chris Miller &

Bayou Roots

02:30 PM: Kevin Naquin &

the Ossun Playboys

05:00 PM: Steel Shot

07:30 PM: Travis Matte &

the Zydeco Kingpins

"Pirate's Cove"

Friday, May 4th, 2012

04:00 PM: Tim Norris

06:00 PM: Tom Brandow

08:00 PM: Open-Mic Karaoke

10:00 PM: Angel Leal

Saturday, May 5th, 2012

12:00 PM: Tim Norris

02:00 PM: Tom Brandow

03:30 PM: Angel Leal

05:30 PM: John Guidroz

07:30 PM: Ryan Andreas

09:00 PM: Brian Racca

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

12:00 PM: Andrew David

02:00 PM: Matt Moss

04:00 PM: Brian Moore

06:00 PM: Katie Pilapauskas &

Mike Dolan

Thursday, May 10th, 2012

04:00 PM: Charles Lyons

06:00 PM: Kris Harper &

Matt Moss

 

Friday, May 11th, 2012

04:00 PM: Cory Landry

06:00 PM: Kevin Johnson &

Ryan Bourque

08:00 PM: Open-Mic Karaoke

10:00 PM: Kory Fontenot

Saturday, May 12th, 2012

12:00 PM: Brian Racca

03:00 PM: Cory Landry

04:30 PM: John Guidroz

06:00 PM: Brice Perrin

08:00 PM: Kory Fontenot

10:30 PM: The Good Wood

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