The State of Louisiana and the Lake area will be featured at the 2008 Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival, which will take place from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, November 9.
This will mark the 13th year of the festival, which is hailed as one of the largest and longest running food and wine festivals in the world and ranked one of the best food and wine festivals in the United States by Forbes Magazine. This year, the festival will feature the state with an experience dedicated to Louisiana culture and heritage. It is the only U.S. state-dedicated experience at this year’s festival.
“We are honored to be invited to take part in such a respected and successful event as the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival,” said Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu. “Louisiana’s participation in the festival will provide us the opportunity to share our unique culture and authentic heritage with travelers from all over the world.”
The Louisiana Experience - “My Louisiana” - features a food and beverage kiosk, an artisan area, cooking demonstrations, entertainment, children’s activities and a merchandise and artisan shop modeled after the French Market. The Experience is custom-built by Walt Disney Imagineering offering visitors a sensory experience of Louisiana’s unique culture and heritage.
Each week, the “My Louisiana” experience will feature a different region of the state focused on the state’s newly launched Culinary Trails program. The Lake Charles area will be featured as “Seafood Sensation” from October 12 to October 18.
“We are extremely excited about the support and commitment that the Lake Charles regional partners are giving to this tremendous opportunity to reach out and educate tens of thousands of people about our unique culture, cuisine, music and art at the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival. This entire program is truly a testament to our partners and positive spirit of cooperation across the state,” said Shelley Johnson, executive director of the SWLA Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
The cultural ambassadors representing Louisiana and the Lake Charles region include musicians Timmy Dugas, Joe Manuel, Abe Manuel and Ivy Dugas, as well as chefs Joe Heacook, Jude Theriot and Jorg Limper.
Artisan Emma Hughes will prepare basket weaving demonstrations and Dr. Simone Little will bring examples of fused glass beads, amulets and perform silk scarf paintings. There will also be children’s activities with storytellers Joe Ann LaBove, Joanne Nunez and Tunie Dunaway, highlighting French words and Cajun culture.
The Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival provides an opportunity for Louisiana to showcase its unique culture to an international audience with a high tendency to travel. Visitors to the festival come from across the globe to experience the finest in culinary traditions, culture and entertainment. In addition, the festival will provide the state an opportunity to showcase the Louisiana Culinary Trails program to a global audience that has a higher focus on culinary tourism.
The Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival features cuisine from across the globe, a spectacular live music concert series, exciting culinary demonstrations and seminars presented by celebrity chefs.
Lake Charles, La. —
