  the festival international de louisiane is an annual music and arts festival held in lafayette, louisiana celebrating the french heritage of the region. the festival was first held in 1987 and has become very popular, attracting musicians, artists, and craftsmen from around the world. the festival is held outdoors, usually in the third week of april, and is free to the public. estimates for attendance include 375,000 for 2011. the festival was voted the "best world music festival" by about.com readers in their 2012 and 2013 readers' choice awards. the stated mission of the festival is to:  ==participating artists== thumb|right|buckwheat zydeco on the main stage at the 2006 festival. the festival draws musicians from around the world. past performers include:  *balkan beat box â united states *bonerama - united states *ceux qui marchent debout â france *cyro baptista â brazil *maria de barros â cape verde *beausoleil â united states *bomba estÃ©reo - colombia *la bottine souriante â quebec *boukman eksperyans - haiti *buckwheat zydeco â united states *dominique dupuis â new brunswick *the duhks - canada *gangbÃ© brass band â benin *henry gray and the cats â united states *dr. john â united states *keb' mo' â united states
Acadiana Arts_festivals_in_the_United_States Cajun_culture Culture_of_Lafayette,_Louisiana Ethnic_music_in_the_United_States Festivals_in_Louisiana French-American_culture_in_Louisiana Music_festivals_in_the_United_States Music_of_Louisiana Visitor_attractions_in_Lafayette_Parish,_Louisiana