For Immediate Release
March 26, 2010

              Fiddle Mania to Debut April 16th in Downtown Opelousas

Fiddle Mania(Opelousas, LA) – Opelousas Main Street, Inc. presents the opening of Fiddle Mania, a spectacular fiberglass art exhibit in downtown Opelousas on Friday, April 16th at 5:30 p.m. on the grounds of the historic Courthouse Square.  Twenty-one oversized three-dimensional fiddles designed, painted and adorned by local artists will be unveiled for public exhibit through August 1, 2010 on the grounds of the Courthouse Square.  The unveiling of Fiddle Mania is being held in conjunction with the Music & Market, an outdoor concert event that will take place on the Courthouse Square. 

Artists involved in the project include Vergie Banks, Michelle Fontenot, Christine Ledoux, Sue Boagni, June Lowrey, Larry Hayes, Linda Meaux, Robert Tinney, Adrian Fulton, Gwenn Voorhies, Mary Beth Fontenot, Agnes St. Amand, Yvette Chappuis, Jerome Ford, Robbie Sebastien, Kenneth Scott, Robert Baxter, Kat Guidroz, Jerome Ford and St. Landry Parish Visual and Talented Art Students.

The fiddles were cast by local artist Andrea Juneau. Beau’s Toys, an Opelousas business who specializes in restoring antique cars, will add the protective clear coat to the fiddle once the artist work is complete.  Each fiddle was sponsored by a company or organization.  Sponsors were able to select a “fiddle” from a portfolio of designs and artists who were selected to work with the project.  Artists receive an honorarium for their work. 

Fiddle Mania is a public art project designed to promote community pride, support the arts, and bring activity to the Main Street district in Opelousas, Louisiana. The idea for the project was spawned by members of Opelousas Main Street, Inc. who have been working with the project for over a year now.

Fiddle Mania sponsors include American Bank, Beau’s Garage, City of Opelousas Tourism, CLECO, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, LA Yambilee Association,  Med Express, Mid-South Bank, Mornhinveg & Castille Jewelers, Morrow Morrow Ryan & Bassett, Opelousas General Health System, Opelousas Kiwanis Club, Opelousas-St. Landry Chamber of Commerce, Opelousas Museum & Interpretive Center, Piggly-Wiggly- Opelousas, Rotary Clubs of Opelousas, St. Landry Bank, St. Landry Parish Government, St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission, Targil Seasoning & Butcher Supplies, Teche Federal Bank, Tony Chachere’s Creole Foods, Ventura Foods, Walmart DC #6048, Washington State Bank

and Williams Progressive Life Insurance. Fiddle Mania is also supported through a grant from the LA Division of the Arts and the Acadiana Arts Council.  

Funds raised during this event will help Opelousas Main Street, Inc. fulfill its mission and continue to strengthen the Opelousas community through historic preservation and economic development.   

For more information about Fiddle Mania, please contact Opelousas Main Street at 337-948-5227 or tourism@cityofopelousas.com or visit cityofopelousas.com