Lafayette Parish, LA —The Festival International de Louisiane, a long-awaited celebration of music, culture, and community, was abruptly shut down on Friday night due to dangerous weather conditions, including lightning in the area.
Late in the evening, festival organizers made the decision to cancel all performances and scheduled events for the remainder of the night after lightning strikes were reported in the Lafayette area. The announcement was shared with festival-goers via social media, urging attendees to evacuate the grounds and seek shelter.
The festival had already experienced a temporary stage shutdown earlier in the evening as a precautionary measure. With storms continuing to impact the region and weather conditions worsening, festival officials determined that the safety of attendees, performers, and staff could not be guaranteed.
“We’ve made this difficult decision to ensure the safety of everyone involved,” the organizers said in a statement. “The storm system in the area continues to be unpredictable, and we urge all attendees to take shelter immediately.”
Despite the unexpected disruption, organizers have assured the public that the festival will resume as scheduled the following day. “We are excited to welcome the community back for a full day of music, culture, and celebration,” the statement continued. “We thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation during these challenging circumstances.”
The festival, which has become a staple of Lafayette’s cultural scene, features a diverse lineup of musicians, artists, and performers from around the world. Each year, it draws thousands of visitors to the region, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana and beyond.
As the storm system moves through, festival-goers are encouraged to check the official Festival International de Louisiane social media channels and website for further updates. Organizers hope to return to full operations on Saturday, April 26, with an exciting lineup of events for all ages.
Local authorities have reminded the public to stay weather-aware and follow any advisories issued by the National Weather Service as conditions continue to evolve.