The Swamp Pop Museum in Ville Platte is celebrating its ninth birthday this week.
On Friday, September 27, museum curator Sharon Fontenot will host a party honoring the history of the music's unique sound and the legendary musicians who brought it to life.
"Ville Platte was designated as the Swamp Pop Capitol of the World by the louisiana legislature," says Fontenot. "So we really love that title."
And as a self-proclaimed fan girl, who grew up loving swamp pop, Fontenot says she was excited about the opportunity to open up the genre's first and only museum in the place where its roots were planted.
"Swamp Pop music is a music that was born here. It didn't start somewhere else," she says. "They created this music in the 50's and 60's and the purpose of this museum is document that music and honor those who made it."
Now, nine years after the 2010 opening, the museum features and honors more than ninety artists.
And the best part, according to Fontenot, is it just keeps on growing.
"We just continue to collect as people bring to us," she says.
The museum's birthday party includes free entrance all day Friday, September 27 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Cake will be served and special appearances from some Swamp Pop legends are expected.
