13th International Pétanque Festival
Lafayette, Louisiana
The 2024 La Boule Cadienne de Lafayette International Petanque Festival will take place Friday, March 1, 2024 through Sunday March 3, 2024 in Girard Park, in Lafayette, Louisiana
The events include:
-1- March 1: opening ceremonies on Friday afternoon, 1:00 to 4:00 PM (Free)
-2- March 2: Pétanque tournament on Saturday, from 8:00 to 5:00 PM ($20)
–3- March 2: Pétanque party with Cajun food on Saturday night from 7:00 to 11:00 PM ($15)
-4- March 3: Pétanque Picnic – informal games on Sunday from 10:00 to 4:00 PM (Free)
This is always a fun event, but just to let the serious players know, participation in our tournament does not provide for the accumulation of points towards Federation Petanque USA rankings.
DETAILS
=1= Opening Ceremonies – Free
On Friday afternoon beginning at 1:00 PM, local dignitaries and elected officials throw out the first boules of the tournament. Informal games follow.
=2= Saturday Tournament 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM – $20
All are welcomed to play. Fees are $20 payable online at Eventbrite.com. REGISTRATION FEES MUST BE PAID BY 8:00 A.M. FRIDAY MARCH 1. NO REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER THAT TIME.
We issue special invitations to players to enjoy one of most Cajun places on earth. We never know exactly who will attend, but in the past we have had locals as well as players from Thibodaux, Louisiana; Austin, Texas; Northwest Coast of USA; France, Belgium, Africa, and Asia.
We have a doubles tournament in which teams are composed of any gender with players older than 7 years old. Minors younger than 15 must be accompanied at all times by a responsible adult.
The top six teams receive an oak plank laser burned with Cajun themed images as well as a selection of gifts.
The team or person traveling the longest distance from Lafayette will receive a gift basket of Cajun theme items.
All skill levels are invited to participate, including first-time players.
All equipment will be provided for free. Competition and hobbyist (loisir) are allowed.
=2.1= Team check-in – Saturday (8:00 – 8:45 AM)
Check-in will be held next to the pétanque courts beginning at 8:00 AM, which are located in the northeast corner of Girard Park, across from the rear of the UL Alumni Center. Parking is conveniently located along the one-way street behind the Center. Check Google Maps for exact location.
A safety session is conducted before the games begin.
=2.2= Morning Preliminary Rounds Saturday – (9:00 AM- 12:00 )
Teams are matched randomly using the Swiss elimination method for all morning games.
The three preliminary rounds of 50 minutes are played “au sauvage” like those played traditionally in south of France in rural areas before about the 1950‚ after which the sport was professionalized. That is, we play anywhere in a park except on the formal courts. We play within tree roots, on the grass, cinder walking trails, other obstructions, and surfaces. There are no boundaries to the preliminary rounds so no disqualification if a cochonnet or boule bumps against an object.
=2.3= Noon Break (12:00 – 1:15)
A noon break is provided with a chicken and sausage jambalaya cooked on site and served to players as part of the ticket price. If you do not play, the suggested donation for the noon meal is $10. Participants with special dietary needs are requested to bring their meals or contact the event organizers for recommendations to nearby restaurants offering vegetarian or fast food. No refunds are offered for participants choosing not to eat the prepare food. Water in plastic bottles will be provided free.
Some participants might bring a something to share, but that is not required. Other may just want to bring snacks.
=2.4= Final Rounds
The semi-finals and final elimination rounds are played on formal courts in the afternoon with the formal rules used by Federation Pétanque USA.
Some rounds are time limited between throws.
Only the teams with the 4 highest scores will advance for final play in brackets.
No consolation rounds will be played except for the semi-finals and finals.
The 5th and 6th teams will be chosen based on their ranking from the preliminary rounds.
All final rounds are played on pétanque courts as found in the south of France.
Warm ups on the courts are allowed only for 15 minutes before games begin on the pétanque courts.
=3= Party – Saturday Night (6:30 to 11:00 PM) – $15
The pétanque party is held at a private residence about 10 minutes from Girard Park.
The residence has a full scale petanque court.
A Cajun meal is provided along with an appetizer sideboard.
Participants are responsible for their own beverages.
=4= Sunday Picnic (10:00 to 4:00 PM) – Free
We will have friendly games as well as training sessions for minors.
A responsible adult must accompany minors participating in pétanque.
Bring food and beverages to share for a potluck lunch (but not required).
=5= Additional Information
Some tips about attending the tournament.
=A= Internet Sites:
Club website: La Boule Cadienne Petanque de Lafayette – petanquelafayette.org
Facebook Page: Petanque Lafayette
=B= Minors
Adults should accompany minors (ages 7 to 15) at all times. Minors are invited to all events. However, please note that this is not a ” drop-off event”. La Boule Cadienne de Lafayette Petanque Club assumes no responsibility for the oversight of unaccompanied children.
=C= Partners
The tournament is for teams with two players, aka “a Doubles tournament”. Although most people register as part of an existing team, we will do our best to pair you up with someone else if you need a partner.
=D= Inclement Weather
Watch the weather forecast on KATC-TV 3 as we get closer to the event date and prepare to dress accordingly. March in South Louisiana can be anywhere from warm and sunny to in rare occasions, cold and rainy.
In case of light rains, the games will be held in rain ponchos provided by the tournament organizers. If heavy rains or lightning occurs, then the tournament will be moved from Saturday to Sunday, March 3 with the same event times. Any change related to weather will be announced on:
1. Club website: La Boule Cadienne Petanque de Lafayette – petanquelafayette.org
2. Facebook Page: Petanque Lafayette
=E= Items to Bring
There is limited seating around the courts (where we will play the semi-final and finals). So bringing a camp (folding) chair is recommended, but not required. You might consider sunscreen too, but the petanque area is heavily shaded by live oaks.
=F= Food
Participants with special dietary needs are requested to bring their meals or contact the event organizers for recommendations to nearby restaurants offering vegetarian or fast food. No refunds are offered for participants who are not eating the prepare food.
Some participants might bring a something to share, but that is not required. Other may just want to bring snacks.
Water in plastic bottles will be provided for free.
=G= Hotel and Travel Trailer Accommodations
The Pétanque club provides recommendations on lodging near the courts to for those needing a place to stay. Several nearby local hotels are located about 5 to 15 minutes from on Pinhook Rod and East Kaliste Saloom Road. See Google Maps.
Travel trailer parking and hook-ups are available at the local government’s Acadiana Campground,. Lafayette KOA campground is nearby in Scott, Louisiana on Interstate 10. Both are about 30 minutes by auto form the petanque courts.
=H= Local Contact
Mike LeBlanc
Captain, La Boule Cadienne de Lafayette Petanque Club
(leblanc.mike at me.com) – 337/534/9930