For Immediate Release
February 27, 2008         

                               
Opelousas Spice & Music Festival Receives Best New Event of the Year Award

Award Ceremony(Baton Rouge, LA) - The Opelousas Spice & Music Festival was recently selected as Best New Event of the Year – Division I title for the 2007-2008 festival season by the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals.  The award was presented during the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals annual conference held Feb. 21 – 23 in Baton Rouge.

The Louisiana Association of Fairs & Festivals is a nonprofit organization which helps to promote the value and importance of fairs and festivals in the state.

In 2005, the Louisiana Legislature designated Opelousas as the ‘Spice Capital of Louisiana.” Opelousas is home to major spice manufacturers, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods and Targil Seasoning, as well as many other spice retailers.  Famous chefs such as Tony Chachere and Paul Prudhomme are from Opelousas.

The 2008 Spice & Music Festival, one of the area’s largest cultural events, is scheduled for the first weekend in June on the grounds of Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. For more information, please contact the Opelousas Tourism office at (337) 948-5227 or visit www.opelousasspiceandmusicfestival.com