Wednesday, February 14, 2001

The Natchez Democrat

VIDALIA, La. – Those attending the first Zydeco Picnic in

Vidalia later this spring should be prepared for a spicy mix of

Louisiana music and food, event promoter Eric Glatzer said Tuesday.

The event, to be held May 26 on the Vidalia riverfront, will

feature such regional favorites as fried seafood, crawfish and

red beans and rice.

Guitar equipment, jewelry and other merchandise will be sold

from booths, said Glatzer, owner of World Blues Festivals.

&uot;I&160;haven’t started booking bands yet, since we’re

just making the announcement now,&uot;&160;Glatzer said. But

he added that five to six bands will be booked for the event.

Holding the festival on Memorial Day weekend means it will

not conflict with the Natchez Bluff Blues Fest, which is held

in April and is also promoted by Glatzer.

And those associated with the Zydeco Picnic said they believe

the event will serve to attract more tourists not just to Vidalia,

but to the Miss-Lou as a whole.

&uot;It’s going to bring more people into our whole area and

will be tremendous economic boost,&uot; said Vidalia Mayor Hyram

Copeland.

Copeland added that town officials are also working to recruit

a bluegrass festival to the riverfront, although he would not

name the group promoting that event.

As far as the Zydeco Picnic is concerned, Glatzer said he has

been planning the festival for about four years and is interested

in making it an annual event.

&uot;I was just waiting to get the Natchez Bluff Blues Fest

off the ground before I started doing this,&uot;&160;said Glatzer,

adding that town officials have cooperated well with him to coordinate

the Vidalia event.

Glatzer said he hopes to promote the Zydeco Picnic through

print, television and radio advertising and on the Festivals.com

Internet site.