Still uplifting

What started as a small festival on Grand Isle to support fishermen after the BP oil spill has turned into a much bigger festival in Baton Rouge with an even bigger message.

Packed with music, car shows, arts and crafts and seafood, the Uplifting the Coast festival moved here to the Capital City last year for three days of events meant to attract statewide attention to Louisiana’s shrinking coastline.

“As citizens, we feel like there is nothing we can do to help,” says organizer Libby Foret. “This is an easy way for people to support Louisiana while enjoying everything the festival has to offer.”

While fundraising issues have caused organizers to downsize this year’s festival from three days to one, Foret says the schedule is staying the same–just packed into one day. Performers on the festival’s two stages will include Voodoo Bayou, Babineaux Sisters, Bag of Donuts, Debbie Landry, Contraflow and nearly a dozen more.

Monster trucks will roam the Baton Rouge Fairgrounds as new additions to this year’s car show, and there will also be a three-mile off-road race that includes in its registration price free entry to the festival plus food and drinks.

As for the future of the festival, Foret says organizers hope to build it back up again with sponsorships and supporters and add more dates over time.

The festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 10 a.m.-11 p.m., at the fairgrounds. Tickets are $20. For more information, visit upliftingthecoast.org.