Do You Go To Contraband Days? Why Or Why Not?

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