The TECHE Project announced the 14th Annual “Shake Your Trail Feather” Festival: A celebration of the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail will be held on October 18.
The TECHE Project is a nonprofit group working to enhance the quality of life for communities and recreationalists on the bayou.
This volunteer group does periodic bayou cleanups and manages the Bayou Teche Paddle Trail, the only National Water Trail in Louisiana. The TECHE Project completed work on all the essential components of the national paddle trail infrastructure in 2024. That effort resulted in the installation of trailhead access docks and informative kiosks in all 15 communities along Bayou Teche. Proceeds from the Shake Your Trail Feather Festival go toward improving the Bayou Teche National Paddle Trail amenities.
Patti Holland, executive director with The TECHE Project, says, “Boaters can motor or paddle on excursions from 5-12 miles apart, which makes for a nice day trip between towns. In each town, you can get out and sample the great food and cultural sites. What a great way to experience Acadiana and the Bayou Teche Corridor.”
The Shake Your Trail Feather event is twofold, comprising a “Paddle Parade” and a “Party in the Parc” with food and live music. The Paddle Parade will start at Poche Bridge at 10 a.m. and goes 4.5 miles (2 hours) to Parc des Ponts in Breaux Bridge. The whacky, feather-clad Paddle Parade (no motorized boats,) will float down Bayou Teche accompanied by live music with two Cajun bands playing on decorated barges. According to Holland, “Tickets to paddle are available on Eventbrite, and the paddle ticket also includes the Annual Event Pin featuring our 2025 theme bird. This year’s bird is the Carolina Chickadee, a common songbird along the bayou.” The TECHE Project also encourages residents along the bayou to join the fun by watching from the bank.
After the parade, a celebration of the Bayou Teche National Paddle Trail will take place at Parc des Ponts in Breaux Bridge. Anyone who is interested can come usher in the paddlers and show their support for the bayou. Starting at 11:30 a.m., there will be food vendors, libations, merchandise and kids’ activities. Live music with Amis du Teche band will be playing on the stage from noon-2 p.m.
According to TECHE Project Administrator Erin Z. Bass, “The celebration in the park is free to the public, but we encourage everyone to purchase a festival pin to support the work The TECHE Project is doing to build a first-class national paddle trail and ensure that Bayou Teche stays clean and beautiful.” Other event highlights include prizes for those dressed as birds and the ever-popular raffle of a kayak at 2 p.m.
Go to techeproject.org for more details about the paddle and the activities at the park.
