Landmark project delivers a permanent home for the Lafayette Artisans and Farmers Market and creates a gathering place for generations of Acadiana community life
Lafayette, LA – April 17, 2026 – Today, Moncus Park celebrated the ribbon cutting of the Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion and the b1BANK Backyard, completing a transformative project that gives the Lafayette Artisans and Farmers Market a permanent home and opens a new era of community gathering, culture, and commerce in the heart of Acadiana.
The Lafayette Artisans and Farmers Market has been a cornerstone of the Acadiana economy for more than a decade, supporting over 120 vendors, artisans, and small businesses annually and drawing thousands of visitors to the park each Saturday. The new Pavilion and Backyard give the market the purpose-built infrastructure it has long deserved while opening an entirely new chapter for the space itself. From live music and community events to private celebrations and weddings, this is a destination designed to bring people together in every season and drive economic opportunity for the entire region.
Designed by Lake Flato Architects, a nationally acclaimed firm and recipient of the American Institute of Architects Firm of the Year Award and the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, the Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion spans more than 3,000 square feet of ADA-accessible open-air space. The Pavilion adds new restrooms and additional parking to the property, addressing two of the most pressing needs of a market that has grown steadily in both vendors and attendance over its thirteen-year history.
The Pavilion is named in honor of Paul A. Doerle Sr., who alongside his father Paul Peter Doerle grew a small produce distribution business into the nationally recognized Doerle Foods. A devoted community champion throughout Acadiana, his legacy of entrepreneurship and generosity is honored in a space that will serve the farmers, artisans, and small business owners who reflect everything he stood for. The Pavilion was made possible through a founding gift from the William C. Schumacher Family Foundation, with additional support from Carolyn Doerle Schumacher, The James D. Moncus Family Foundation, The Stuller Family Foundation, Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), The Si Brown Family, Lenny and Christine Lemoine, Joyce and Sherman Scott, The Frank Gerami Family, Rodney and Cindi Savoy, and the State’s Capital Outlay Program.
“Having this Pavilion bear my father’s name, in a place where farmers and artisans gather every week, is the most fitting tribute our family could have imagined. We are proud to support Moncus Park and grateful that his legacy will live on here for generations to come.” said Carolyn Doerle Schumacher, William C. Schumacher Family Foundation and daughter of Paul A. Doerle Sr.
Directly behind the Pavilion, the b1BANK Backyard is completing its final phase of landscaping and will open to the public in May 2026. The space will establish an entirely new grove of overcup oak trees, evoking the character of the park’s beloved existing canopy through a sophisticated European bosque-inspired design developed in collaboration with LAND Architecture. Shaded by a canopy that will only grow more beautiful with time, the Backyard is designed for lingering, whether that means browsing the farmers market on a Saturday morning, gathering for a concert under the trees, or simply finding a quiet moment in the middle of a busy city.
“The b1BANK Backyard is an investment in the hundreds of small businesses, farmers, and artisans who show up every week to serve this community. Moncus Park has built something rare here, a place where commerce and culture grow side by side, and we are proud to play a part in ensuring that those opportunities continue to expand for the people of Acadiana.” said John Michael Robinson, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of the Acadiana Market, b1BANK.
“This ribbon cutting is a milestone years in the making, and it would not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of our partners. The Pavilion and Backyard give this community what it has earned, a permanent home where Acadiana can gather, celebrate, and thrive for generations to come.” said JP MacFadyen, Executive Director of Moncus Park.
The ribbon cutting on April 17, 2026, marks the realization of a shared vision and the beginning of a new chapter for Moncus Park, the Lafayette Artisans and Farmers Market, and the Acadiana community they serve.
To learn more about the project, follow the park on social media @moncuspark.
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About Moncus Park
Moncus Park cultivates connections to enrich lives and strengthen community through nature. Guided by this mission, the Park is committed to sustainability efforts and provides activities and events for the community. The nonprofit park conservancy is solely responsible for the operations and maintenance of 100 acres of greenspace in the heart of Acadiana, with its annual operating budget primarily derived from fundraising and self-generated activities. This unique nonprofit park conservancy model, the first of its kind in Acadiana, is a growing trend nationwide. To learn more about Moncus Park’s mission and contribute to its impactful journey, please visit www.moncuspark.org.
About b1BANK
As of Dec. 31, 2025, b1BANK (the banking subsidiary of Business First Bancshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST)), had $8.2 billion in assets, $5.7 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW) (not including $1.0 billion of b1BANK assets managed by SSW) and operates banking centers and loan production offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas providing commercial and personal banking products and services. b1BANK is a 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner and multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine’s “Best Banks to Work For.” Visit b1BANK.com for more information.