LOREAUVILLE — There was a bright yellow lining to contrast Saturday morning clouds, and it could be seen on the feet of family, friends and residents in Loreauville who knew and loved former Mayor Al Broussard.   

Broussard died in a car accident on April 3, 2015. 

He served Loreauville as an alderman and Mayor for a career that spanned nearly thirty years.

The Mayor Al Memorial 5K Run and One Mile Croc Walk was held as apart of Loreauville’s Family Fun Day Saturday at Loreauville Park.

The morning began with a one mile croc walk where many participants could be seen wearing  bright yellow crocs that Mayor Al became known for sporting. 

“Dad always wore yellow crocs, it was just his trademark,” Broussard’s daughter and event organizer Alison Saunier said. 

“I got married in Mexico and dad asked if he could wear his yellow crocs and he walked me on the beach to get married in his yellow crocs and I had yellow roses in my bouquet to match them,”  

A 5K run also brought out participants who laced up their sneakers for a chance to take part in the day’s activities. The whole family could find something of interest at Loreauville park as the day also included a d.j., silent auction, photo booth, fun jumps and a majician. Area residents and businesses got involved with the festivities by tying yellow ribbons around town in honor of the former mayor. 

All the proceeds raised go to help fund the Acadia project, a cause close to Broussard’s heart.

“It’s a project where they are looking for the gravesite of Beau Soleil, an Acadian who was exiled, he was a relative of my dad’s so that’s why its so important to find his grave and to help out tourism in Loreauville, Saunier said.

Its a project current Loreauville Mayor Brad Clifton is passionate about as well. 

“The Acadia project is establishing archaeological digs to find the remains of the persons of the 1765 settlement  where they established roots here and branched out.” Clifton said. 

“For the last four years they’ve been doing digs all the proceeds form the races go to the digs”

Broussard’s three children Alison, Ashlie and Jeff all agreed it was important to keep their dad’s mission alive. 

“When we decided to host the memorial event for him we decided to support the organization he was very passionate about.,” Broussard’s daughter, Ashlie Boutte said. “Support (for the event) has been amazing. Last year we were able to donate $23,000 and this year were hoping to match it”

Broussard was chairman of the Acadia project at the time of his death.

From the findings of the project, Mayor Clifton is now seeking funding to help establish an Acadian Odyssey Monument, there are only a few placed around the world and help track the history of the Acadian people. If successful the monument can add a big boost to Loreauville Tourism. 

“There’s a lot of unknown history in the Loreauville, St. Martinville and New Iberia area that the Acadia project reveals,” said Dr. Mark Rees, a professor and director of University of Louisiana at Lafayette Louisiana Public Archaeology Lab

Those who enjoy the Mayor Al Memorial 5k, One Mile Croc Walk and Loreauville Family Fun Day each year are playing an important role in supporting an event that is helping build excitement around the village for both present and future tourists.

“Each year the official date of it is going to be the first weekend of April.” Clifton said. “Most of our sponsorships are businesses here in Loreauville such as the Rusty Ruiz foundation which is donating both the fun jumps and jambalaya. All the area residents with businesses support us its very special to us”