Lafayette Travel and the Bayou Vermilion District have partnered for a third year to host the Vermilion Voyage (March 27-29), a three-day overnight paddle down the Bayou Vermilion launching from the Acadiana Park Nature Station to Palmetto Island State Park. Participants will have the rare opportunity to consecutively paddle just over 50 miles through Lafayette and Vermilion Parishes.

Registration for the event is $350 and includes paddle craft, life jacket, guide, shuttle service, insurance costs, gear transport, breakfast, lunch and dinner with some beverages as well as evening entertainment. Single-day paddles are available for $135 as well as two-day paddles for $270. For registration details and more information please visit VermilionVoyage2020.Eventbrite.com.

The itinerary is as follows:

Day 1 – Nature Station to Southside Park | 21.52 miles

The event will launch from the Acadiana Park Nature Station on Friday, March 27. Participants will park their cars at Vermilionville at 7 a.m. where they will be provided breakfast before being transported by shuttle to the Nature Station. Paddlers will launch from the Nature Station around 8 a.m. and will stop for lunch at Vermilionville's La Cuisine de Maman. There will also be an opportunity for a brief guided tour of the historic village and watershed exhibit. Overnight will be at Southside Park where primitive camping will be available with access to electricity, bathrooms and water. There will be an outdoor screening of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou by Wes Anderson in partnership with Southern Screen. Dinner and beverages will be provided by Vermilionville's La Cuisine de Maman. The screening is free and open to the public. 

Day 2 – Southside Park to Richards Sales Barn | 17.38 miles

The second day will start with a grab and go breakfast launching from Southside Park at 8 a.m. Paddlers will break for lunch around the mid-way point where we also take an extended break to explore. Overnight will be at the Richard Sale Barn where primitive camping will be made available with minimal access to electricity. There will be live music provided by Warren Storm and Friends in a historic cattle auction barn. Dinner will be provided. The public can purchase advanced tickets to the event by visiting RichardSaleBarn.com/Tickets.

Day 3 – Richard's Sales Barn to Palmetto Island State Park | 11.68 miles

The third day will start with a grab and go breakfast launching from Richard's Sale Barn at 7 a.m. Paddlers will break for lunch around the mid-way point where we also take an extended break to explore. Paddlers will finish at Palmetto Island State Park with access to electricity, bathrooms and water. Dinner will be provided by Bœuf de Bacqué while the gear is being loaded up. Paddlers will be picked up and transported back to their car at Vermilionville along with their gear.

For questions or to register by phone, please contact Jesse Guidry at jesse@lafayettetravel.com or call (337) 769-3816.

VERMILION VOYAGE ASSETS

Event poster and images can be downloaded via this Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/exnnciuteuqw6oh/AAAzLkjKtJ5uukdT1sASr_Rla?dl=0. Images used must credit the photographer which can be found in the filename. Any other use of these images must be approved by Lafayette Travel.

ABOUT LAFAYETTE TRAVEL

The Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, branded as Lafayette Travel, is marketing organization created in 1974 to promote Lafayette Parish as a destination for visitors, meetings, conventions, tours and sporting events. LCVC is funded primarily by a four percent occupancy tax paid by visitors to Lafayette Parish. In 2008, LCVC was the first tourist commission in Louisiana to be awarded accreditation from the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program. LafayetteTravel.com

ABOUT BAYOU VERMILION DISTRICT

Since 1984, the Lafayette Parish Bayou Vermilion District has worked to beautify, conserve and manage sites along the Vermilion ensuring the preservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural resources for the citizens of Lafayette Parish. The Bayou Vermilion District's mission focuses both on the environment and the unique culture of Lafayette. BayouVermilionDistrict.org