Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival & Wooden Boat Congrés

Saturday, March 16

Free Admission, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Evangeline Oak Park, 121 S. New Market St.,

St. Martinville

    The Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival and Wooden Boat Congrés will be held on Saturday, March 16 at  Evangeline Oak Park in St. Martinville. Enjoy an old-fashioned day of Cajun traditions and culture. This museum-style festival gives insight into Cajun culture and traditions. Events include music, food, theatre, films, storytelling, demonstrations, a wooden boat parade and much more.

    Saturday events include the Reenactment of the Arrival of the Acadians to St. Martinville on Bayou Teche. Family members wear historic Acadian costumes and join others in pirogues and barges in the parade down the bayou to the park. The piroque has been designated as the official Louisiana State Boat. There will be an antique cars exhibit, children’s programs, as well as art and theatre demonstrations to help celebrate the culture and tell the story of the Acadians. Enjoy Cajun music and food, including cracklins, boudin, jambalaya, fried fish and Cajun sweets.

    An authentic Cajun Wooden Pirogue, handmade by Dr. Hal Bienvenu, will be raffled off by the Acadian Memorial Foundation. The pirogue features marine mahogany planking with Louisiana Cypress Cedar and cherry wood. It is finished with epoxy and glass laminate. The length is 15’6” with a center bottom of 23” and a beam of 45” and the boat was valued at $3,000. Tickets are $10 and available through the Foundation by calling (337) 394-2258. Drawing will be at 4 p.m., March 16 at the Acadian Memorial Foundation Festival and Wooden Boat Congrés under the Evangeline Oak, 121 South New Market Street, St. Martinville. Visit AcadianMemorial.org for more information.