The sixth edition of the Fête du lac brings its share of novelties to seduce families again, after two blank years due to the Covid pandemic. About 6,000 people are expected this Saturday to take part in the many activities organized in partnership with some fifteen associations. The festivities will start at 9 a.m. for a morning of sporting challenges.
“We organized the Lake Olympiads,” says Gérard Ducos. With family or friends, participants will criss-cross the workshops for a series of tests. On the menu, running, archery, football, sandball, petanque, table tennis, climbing, volleyball and basketball. The number of points accumulated will define the podium for an award ceremony around 12:30 p.m. “All participants will be rewarded,” assures the chosen one.
Béarn songs and balls
Without competition, many sports activities will occupy the afternoon of the visitors. Paintball, climbing, trampolines, tree climbing, wooden games, inflatable games, pony rides, electric bikes, kayaking and paddle or even babyskiing should allow everyone to find what they are looking for. “The Red Cross will be present to ensure the safety of the event and lead an initiation to first aid gestures”, adds Gérard Ducos.
Two years late, the calandreta d’Orthez joins the Fête du lac to finally celebrate its 30e anniversary. The day after Nadau’s concert at the Arènes d’Orthez, 180 students will perform songs and dances from the Béarn carnival repertoire.
Under the aegis of the Cultura de Noste association and the collective of traditional repertoire musicians A Tot Vedent, 21 classes from eight schools where Occitan is taught (Sault-de-Navailles, Argagnon, Castétis, Balansun, Sallespisse, Bonnut , Maslacq and the calandreta d’Orthez) have, since March, received Matiu Dufau, musician and coordinating teacher of the Chancaires, to learn and rehearse this repertoire. “This shows them that this language can be a vehicle for encounters, exchanges and celebrations,” he explains.
