Mark your Calendar: KBON Festival 2025

Jeau Boudreaux
Sep 28
3 min read

Each autumn, Rayne, Louisiana pulses with the rhythm of homegrown music, food, and community — thanks to the KBON 101.1 Music Festival. Slated for October 3-5, 2025, at the Frog Festival Pavilion, the festival has earned a special place in the calendars of locals and visitors alike

What Is the KBON Festival?

The festival is organized by KBON 101.1 FM, a radio station known for celebrating regional genres like Cajun, Zydeco, Swamp Pop, Country, and French-tuned classics.
It’s held in partnership with the Down Syndrome Association of Acadiana (DSAA), which uses the event as one of its primary fundraisers.
Beyond music, it’s a “fan appreciation” gathering: a chance for folks who love this regional sound to come together, dance, support local culture, and support a cause.

What to Expect

Dates & Venue: October 3-5, 2025, at the Frog Festival Pavilion in Rayne, Louisiana.
Genres & Artists: Over 20 local bands are typically featured, covering the spectrum from Cajun and Zydeco to Swamp Pop, Country, and French music styles.
Atmosphere: Big dance floors where people can cut loose, local food, vendor booths, friends gathering, the feel of a community party.
Camping / RV Spots: For out-of-towners or those who want to stay close, RV and camping arrangements are offered. RV spots go on sale ahead of the festival.
Merch & Extras: Festival merchandise (t-shirts, caps, flags, etc.), food vendors, sponsors, and a family-friendly environment with spaces to relax.

Why It Matters

Cultural Preservation: The festival showcases and keeps alive musical genres deeply embedded in Acadiana’s identity. Cajun, Zydeco, and Swamp Pop aren’t just sounds—they carry history, language, dance, and community memory. KBON does a lot of work curating those sounds for new and old audiences.
Community Support: Because the DSAA is involved, the festival isn’t just entertainment — it’s a gathering that supports inclusion, awareness, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families.
Local Economy & Tourism: Events like KBON bring people into Rayne, fill up RV spots, hotels, restaurants, and vendors. For local businesses, it’s a boost, especially in the fall when folks are looking for festivals and weekend plans.
Social & Emotional Value: For many attendees, the festival is about reconnecting—with music they grew up with, with friends, with family, with “home.” In an age of digital everything, there’s something grounding about hearing an accordion, the scrape of a fiddle, or a Zydeco rubboard live.

Tips for Attending

Arrive early if you want good parking or camping spots, especially if you’re coming from out of town.
Bring cash for vendors, merch, food — cell signal or card readers might be spotty in places.
Dress comfortably—dancing shoes, lightweight clothes that can handle humid October weather by day, cooler evenings.
Consider volunteering: DSAA offers volunteer roles, and often there are perks (you help a good cause + get to be part of the behind-the-scenes fun).
Stay hydrated and pace yourself: multiple days of music = stamina needed.

Final Note

The KBON 101.1 Music Festival is more than just a concert—it’s a reunion of culture, a dance with history, and a reminder of strong community ties. Whether you’re born and raised in Acadiana or visiting for the first time, it’s a festival that delivers more than music. It offers stories, heritage, friendship, and good times. If you’re free that weekend, plan for Rayne—you’ll be glad you did.