Z Fest

Chamber Of Commerce Invites Residents To Z Fest

By Summer Suleiman

Zachary will hold its 2^nd annual Z Fest May 7 through May 10. Z Fest is Zachary’s own carnival filled with games, rides, arts and crafts, food, live entertainment and more. Admission is free and there will be free-shuttle service provided from Coppermill Elementary, Zachary Library, and LeBlanc groceries during the festival. The shuttles will operate every fifteen minutes.

Z Fest is an annual fund-raiser for the chamber of commerce. Lisa Rioux, director of the executive board of the chamber of commerce said it is great for the Zachary community. “We wanted to bring back a fun, family-oriented festival,” Rioux said.

It is also an opportunity for school’s non-profit groups throughout Zachary to fund raise. The schools will be selling food at the festival.

Last year, the chamber of commerce saw about five thousand to seven thousand in attendance at Z Fest. This year they are expecting over ten thousand people to attend.

The Chamber of Commerce is working with Lowery and Associates, a company that does carnivals throughout Louisiana and other states, this year to help facilitate the festival. Z fest raised over fifteen thousand dollars last year, and this year the chamber is hoping to double that amount.

The grand opening ceremony will be held May 7^th at 6pm on the Z Fest Stage. Zachary high school choirs will be singing the national anthem, and Zachary elementary schools will be releasing balloons to celebrate the opening of the event.

Some of the planned attendees include Henry Martinez, Mayor of Zachary, and Mark Simoneaux, director of the Youth Park. The Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to come. “Last year the people were out there having a good time, the families were enjoying each other, and neighbors were visiting with one another. It’s a very friendly atmosphere, and a great experience,” said Rioux.