Chuck Fest, which shuts down Ryan Street between Broad and Division, in 2014. |
David Ryan Palmer
Editor-in-Chief
This weekend is the second year for Chuck Fest, the now annual festival that looks to showcase local talent, local art, and local food, right in downtown Lake Charles. The Contraband sat down with Tyler Walker, Chuck Fest board member, about what attendees can expect this weekend.
This weekend is the second year for Chuck Fest, the now annual festival that looks to showcase local talent, local art, and local food, right in downtown Lake Charles. The Contraband sat down with Tyler Walker, Chuck Fest board member, about what attendees can expect this weekend.
The Contraband: About a year ago, the Contraband talked to you guys about Chuck Fest, how you and your business partner were not the face of Chuck Fest, and how it was about the food and music, celebrating Lake Charles culture. This is probably going to be a softball question, but is Chuck Fest still about the music, the food, and the culture?
Tyler Walker: Even more so.
C: Last year there were 15 bands were scheduled to perform, and they were all local. Is that the case this year?
TW: This year, it’s more like 30 bands, across four different stages. Everyone playing is either from here or with strong local ties. It’s a super eclectic line-up with literally something for everyone.
C: How has Chuck Fest grown from its inaugural year?
TW: Chuck Fest continues to snowball each year. As we go through the motions of planning the event, we’ll find an artist here, pick up a musician there. The biggest difference this year is the manpower behind the scenes. Initially, the entire festival was done by three of us. This year, it’s more like 10. It enables us to do things that would otherwise fall through the cracks. We hope this is a trend that continues.
C: Who is Chuck Fest aimed at?
TW: Every Lake Charles resident, new and old. With loud enough music and alcohol, we expect certain age groups to come out. But this thing is for everyone. I think it really surprised a lot of people last year how family-friendly it was. Bring your kids, your dog, your mom, etc.
C: What's new at Chuck Fest this year?
TW: More. Last year was to prove to everyone that it could exist. This is the year that we take our first steps forward. There are twice the number of bands as last year, twice the number of stages, twice the number of artists, twice the food vendors (I’m just now realizing everything doubled this year)
C: Is there anything that I haven't asked you that you'd like to include?
TW: It’s free. That’s a big deal. And it’s only free because of our amazing sponsors. We have a full list of our sponsors on the event page, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Dave Evans, the entire staff of Luna Bar & Grill and Luna Live, Civil Construction (our main stage sponsor), Apache Industrial Services, and LakeCharles.com for bearing the bulk of the burden.
C: Last year there were 15 bands were scheduled to perform, and they were all local. Is that the case this year?
TW: This year, it’s more like 30 bands, across four different stages. Everyone playing is either from here or with strong local ties. It’s a super eclectic line-up with literally something for everyone.
Tyler Walker, Chuck Fest board member |
TW: Chuck Fest continues to snowball each year. As we go through the motions of planning the event, we’ll find an artist here, pick up a musician there. The biggest difference this year is the manpower behind the scenes. Initially, the entire festival was done by three of us. This year, it’s more like 10. It enables us to do things that would otherwise fall through the cracks. We hope this is a trend that continues.
C: Who is Chuck Fest aimed at?
TW: Every Lake Charles resident, new and old. With loud enough music and alcohol, we expect certain age groups to come out. But this thing is for everyone. I think it really surprised a lot of people last year how family-friendly it was. Bring your kids, your dog, your mom, etc.
C: What's new at Chuck Fest this year?
TW: More. Last year was to prove to everyone that it could exist. This is the year that we take our first steps forward. There are twice the number of bands as last year, twice the number of stages, twice the number of artists, twice the food vendors (I’m just now realizing everything doubled this year)
C: Is there anything that I haven't asked you that you'd like to include?
TW: It’s free. That’s a big deal. And it’s only free because of our amazing sponsors. We have a full list of our sponsors on the event page, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank Dave Evans, the entire staff of Luna Bar & Grill and Luna Live, Civil Construction (our main stage sponsor), Apache Industrial Services, and LakeCharles.com for bearing the bulk of the burden.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments, concerns, complaints? Put 'em here!