Houma, LA (August 12, 2007) – On October 12th, 13th, and 14th, The Voice of the Wetlands organization (VOW), led by Louisiana roots musician Tab Benoit will hold its fourth annual Voice of the Wetlands festival at Southdown Plantation.

The highlight of this year's festival will be a great musical line-up featuring international touring artists and local music acts. The festival will also feature some of our local cooks and chefs preparing a dynamic menu of traditional South Louisiana cuisine. Activities for children, as well as child-friendly educational programs will again be a part of the festival. Most importantly, as always, the VOW will be joined by many advocacy groups which will be speaking on Louisiana's wetland issues, solutions, and efforts through their exhibits.

On Friday, October 12, the VOW Festival will kick off with "Six Strings Down", an all-star guitar jam featuring John Lisi, Josh Garrett, Westbank Mike, Billy Iuso, Kujo, Brian Besse, and Steven Randall, with special guest Tab Benoit.

"Every year we get a little more focused on what we want to achieve" says VOW board member Rueben Williams, "It is our goal that when people leave our festival, they will want to get involved in learning and teaching others about the issues that we face here in the Tri-Pairsh area." This year's festival poster will once again be created by New Orleans artist Richard Thomas. This will be the last of the three print series he will create for the Voice of the Wetlands hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

VOW's goal for the festival is to bring awareness to Louisiana's wetlands loss, along with celebrating the rich culture that is in danger of disappearing, by uniting supporters from around the parish, state, and country.

"The music, food, coastines, wildlife, fish, game, and everything else that makes Louisiana a unique and original state is in desperate need of America's attention and support," said Tab Benoit, in a statement on the organization's Web site, www.voiceofthewetlands.com. "We ask you to join us and take the VOW to save America's wetlands, America's homes, America's culture and heritage, crucial elements of the American economy, and above all, America's people."

This year the VOW is also planning the second annual "Voice of the Wetland's By Night" club hop. The event will once again take over many of the Downtown venues for a pay-one-price club hop that will feature 6 to 8 bands a night, for that one price, on Friday and Saturday nights. The festival ends at 10pm on Friday and Saturday, and following the festival, we urge everyone to head to Main Street in historic downtown Houma.

The Voice of the Wetlands is a volunteer non-profit organization which conducts earth-changing activities with funds received from grants, sponsorships, and donations. If you would like to get involved in saving Louisiana's culture and coast by volunteering or by sending money, please visit www.voiceofthewetlands.com.

The festival hours are 5-10pm Friday, Oct. 12th, 11am-10pm Saturday, Oct. 13th, and 11am-8pm Sunday, Oct. 14th.

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Schedule of performances includes Louisiana LeRoux, Lil' Band of Gold featuring Warren Storm and CC Adcock, The Voice of the Wetlands All-stars: Tab Benoit, Anders Osborne, Waylon Thibodaux, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Jumpin Johnny Sansone, Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives, Lafayette's Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Southern Cross, Josh Garrett, Westbank Mike and the Fisher Project, The Hurricane Levee Band, John Lisi and Delta Funk, plus other national and local acts.

The VOW All-Stars were already working together to raise awareness of coastal erosion before the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season. Their message has become even more critical now than before with the threat of losing this area’s unique culture, heritage, wildlife, people and way of life. Each one of the musicians involved in the project appreciates the influence that Louisiana has had on them musically.

About Voice of the Wetlands:

Formed by Louisiana Roots musician Tab Benoit in 2003, Voice of the Wetlands (VOW) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring global awareness to Louisiana's land loss and the direct threat it has on its people, heritage, and way of life for one of the richest regions in tradition and cultures in the world. VOW is a volunteer-based organization whose members contribute their talent and resources to serve as a voice for Louisiana's wetlands, its wildlife, and its people.

Additional Events – Voice of the Wetlands Benefit Poker Run sponsored by Cycle World of Houma on Sunday, riders will check in at Cycle World early in the morning and follow a run ending at the VOW Festival in the afternoon. Prizes will be presented during the festival. Local music clubs are also combining efforts to continue the festival mission at downtown locations with live music continuing the late night. Door proceeds will benefit VOW. Download the application here.

For more information on Voice of the Wetlands organization and festival, visit www.voiceofthewetlands.com.

Contact:
Misty McElroy
985-226-1004
voiceofthewetlands@hotmail.com