Founding member Al Landry will spin tales and reminesce about the early days of the Iberia Cultural Resources Association at a 50th anniversary celebration of the organization Wednesday at the Sliman Theater.

Landry is the sole founding member still living, said ICRA President Cathy Indest, and a true raconteur. The program starts at 5:30 p.m.

“It will be delightful,” Indest said.

As with nearly all Iberia Cultural Arts Association events, the celebration is free and open to the public. Though people may walk up the day of the event, those planning to attend are encouraged to reserve seating to facilitate seating and planning of refreshments. Call Indest at 298-7964 or email her at cathy.indest@lhcgroup.com.

The event, which takes place on the 50th anniversary of the group’s founding to the day, celebrates both the organization and its founders, including Landry and the late Mrs. Mary Brown, who was the “Grande Dame” of ICRA until she was no longer able to, Indest said.

In addition to the program put on by Landry, with association board member Beau Beaullieu onstage to help facilitate the presentation, there will be delicious refreshments served as well as a display of memoribilia from the group’s early days.

Founded in 1969, ICRA originally began as a state commission before becoming an independent group. In addition to facilitating four New Iberia performances annually by the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra — including the upcoming Stars & Stripes musical celebration on June 30 — ICRA also sponsors historical lectures of local interest and participates in joint projects with the parish library, Bayou Teche Museum, Shadows-on-the-Teche, New Iberia Arts and Cultural Commission, the Berry Queens and the New Iberia Main Street Program.

“One of the reasons it has endured for 50 years is because the community of New Iberia has supported the organization,” Indest said. “We call ourselves the Queen City of Culture. People like the governor and lieutenant governor have been to New Iberia in the last year and have been impressed with what we do.

“We also have great (community) leadership with Mayor Freddie DeCourt and Parish President Larry Richard. Mayor DeCourt is actually on our board.