Casey Ardoin

cardoin@gannett.com

The Acadiana Po-Boy Festival returns April 1 at Parc Sans Souci

New this year: best po'boy competition, po'boy eating contest

New Orleans po'boy vendors join the lineup

It's lonely at the top.

Acadiana Po-Boy Festival organizers know the feeling — no one has stepped up to break their record for the world's longest po'boy, 367.5 feet, set at last year's inaugural fete.

"We'd like someone to compete with," said Collin Cormier, chef and owner of Pop's PoBoys and one of the Po-Boy Festival creators. "We don't want to beat our own record year after year.

"We're challenging anyone in the nation!"

While they wait for a challenger, they decided to go in a different direction for 2017's event, set for April 1 at Parc Sans Souci.

Instead of the world's longest po'boy, this year's highlight will be a po'boy eating contest and a competition for the festival's best po'boy — plus more food vendors, an expanded music lineup and arts fair.

So far, at least 23 po'boy vendors will be on hand to satisfy hungry revelers, said Gus Rezende, another festival creator. The full list of vendors and menu items will be released soon.

"A lot of vendors are coming back," Rezende said. "And this year we went outside of Acadiana — we have three confirmed New Orleans vendors."

The competition will be broken down into two parts — a judge's panel made up of local chefs and foodies who will choose their favorite, while festival-goers can cast their votes by donating $1 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Acadiana.

Part of the festival's proceeds again will go to the local nonprofit, which received $7,000 last year.

"We hope that Big Brothers Big Sisters will be part of this festival every year it's on," said Rezende.

Anyone can enter the po'boy eating contest for a chance to win bragging rights and a trophy.

Contestants can sign up the day of the festival, but get there quick: there's a cap on how many can enter.

Entertainment includes music by Zydeco Radio, Louisiana Soul Revue, Ray Boudreaux, Lil Buck Sinegal, Three37 Band and Soul Express Brass Band. And, like last year, there will be a children's activity area and arts fair.

The inaugural event drew about 7,500 to Parc Sans Souci in downtown Lafayette, exceeding the expectations of vendors and organizers who, at times, were surprised by the large crowd.

Expect improvements this year, Rezende said.

"It was a huge success, and we had huge crowds," he said. "This year, we are making big preparations to be fully ready to handle all of the community that's going to come in (to Parc Sans Souci)."

Acadiana Po-Boy Festival, a Social Entertainment production, is presented by Rouses.

Langlinais Baking Company and Tony Chachere's will sponsor the po'boy eating contest and best po'boy competition.

If you go

What: Acadiana Po-Poy Festival.

When: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 1 at Parc Sans Souci, downtown Lafayette.

What's new this year: New Orleans po'boy vendors, a po'boy eating contest and competition for the festival's best po'boy.

What's returning: Po'boy vendors, live music, children's activity tent and arts fair.

Cost: Free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Sponsored by: Rouses, Langlinais Baking Company, Tony Chachere's and more.