Geno Delafose will lead Duck Festival parade Aug. 27

GUEYDAN - Each year the Gueydan Duck Festival Association chooses a Grand Marshal to lead the Grand Parade on Saturday, Aug. 27, one of the festival’s main events.
The Grand Marshal is chosen from a list of names that have been submitted to the Duck Festival Association’s board of directors. These nominees are community leaders, dignitaries, or celebrities.
This year the 2016 Gueydan Duck Festival 40th year’s Grand Marshal is Geno Delafose.
Geno is a zydeco accordionist and singer. His sound is deeply rooted in traditional Creole music with string influences from Cajun music and also country and western. At the young age of eight, he joined his father’s band, the Eunice Playboys as a srubboard player. He switched to the accordion in the early 1990s and later he debuted with his album French Rockin’ Boogie on Rounder Records. The name of this album also became the name of his band with which he still plays with today. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album” category fro his 2007 album ‘Le Cowboy Creole’.
Delafose lives in Duralde, near Eunice, where he operates his Double D Ranch. He also holds fan appreciation parties annually at the ranch.
Geno has played at the Duck Festival for several years and has always given a helping hand when called upon.
Geno Delafose will lead the Gueydan Duck Festival’s Grand Parade on Saturday, Aug. 27 at 3 p.m.