Vermilion Catholic, Mt. Carmel get ready for another May Festival

The first weekend in May is upon us and that means one thing for Mt. Carmel and Vermilion Catholic...May Festival is here.
The event serves each year as the biggest joint fundraiser for the two schools. That comes as a result of plenty of hard work, some of which was evident Wednesday morning.
“We have some of the (VC) students and volunteer parents out here setting up,” Mt. Carmel’s Catherine Miller said. “They are all pitching in to get it looking like a festival.”
That will most certainly be the case Friday when the opening ceremonies kick off at 5:30 p.m. Activity and food booths will open at 6 p.m. and remain so until 11 p.m. There will be a cake bingo from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
As for Friday’s music lineup, a pair of local acts will take the stage. The Beau Young Band, whose namesake is a Vermilion Catholic alum, will go on from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Jaryd Lane and the Parish will follow from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Saturday will start with the opening of activity and food booths at 9 a.m. A longer version of cake bingo will take place Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. A DJ will provide music Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m, at which point Louisiana Red will take over until 11 p.m.
“It has been a great event each year and we expect it to be once again,” Miller said.
The support has kept May Fest going.
“The community has supported us tremendously every year,” Miller said. “It is amazing how much money this can generate.”
Miller said it is not simply financial support that is important.
“Those who come out and have a good time put a smile on all of our faces,” Miller said. “If we can give back to the community in that way, and give them a good hamburger, then I feel that is a good thing.
“We say thank you to the supporters.”
Those come from more than the halls of the two schools.
“I am talking about the entire community of Abbeville and Vermilion Parish,” Miller said. “We could certainly not do this without all of that support.”
On top of everything May Fest offers, those many supporters who attend should expect to find conditions to be just right.
“The weather looks like it is going to be nice for the two days,” Miller said. “It’s going to be a good place to bring your family for good fun and good food.”