May Festival begins this weekend

The May Festival may be a yearly fundraiser for Mt. Carmel Elementary and Vermilion Catholic, but it is also a chance for families to have fun.
The festival begins Friday and ends Saturday in the parking lot of the two schools in Abbeville.
“The Festival has always been an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate family with games and activities for everyone,” said Michelle Meaux, VC’s Developmental Director. “Festival attendants enjoy great food and live music. Mount Carmel and Vermilion Catholic alumni and friends return every year to reconnect and share their love and support for both schools. It has also become an important fundraiser ensuring our ability to provide Catholic education for the children in our community.”
On Friday, the freeze party kicks things off at 8 a.m. in the parking lot, and then the activities get underway with the opening ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m.
A cake bingo is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday.
Kyle Wooten and Chase Steen, two VC graduates, perform from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The festival has taken place for more than 40 years. The original festival was a beauty pageant. The king and queen were the male and female students who sold the most raffle tickets.
Not only is there entertainment, but it is one of the largest raffles in Vermilion Parish. Saturday night at 10 p.m., the drawing will take place. The grand prize i s $5,500, with a second prize of $1,500 and third prize of $500.
Tickets will be sold throughout the event until 9 p.m. Saturday.
The festival begins again on Saturday at noon.
Live music will start at noon with Envie. They will play until 3 p.m.
Charme and The Melophobia will perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Beau Young Band is on stage from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
It is free to attend the festival.