A sign asking for donations stands at the site of what will be George Rodrigue Park, a pocket park in downtown New Iberia. A groundbreaking for the park will take place Thursday.

The Bayou Teche Museum is planning for a big event this week that will simultaneously honor several local residents and celebrate the additions of two new features at the museum.

The George Rodrigue Park will have a groundbreaking during the event. The pocket park, which has been in the planning stages for years, will be located next to the museum and feature a Blue Dog sculpture.

Also being celebrated is the opening of the Doc Voorhies Wing of the museum, which has recently gone through some renovations for a facelift to the wing.

The event also is slated to honor four local residents. Former governor and Coteau native Kathleen Blanco will be honored at the event, as well as Mike Maraist, Doc Voorhies and George Rodrigue.

Organizer Cathy Indest said members of the honorees’ families will be attending the event, as well as other local dignitaries and members of the Acadiana Delegation.

“We’re also really excited because we’re going to have 29 of Doc’s students coming from Catholic High to be part of the celebration,” Indest said.

Voorhies spent more than 30 years teaching at CHS, his alma mater, and four decades as a teacher in all.

Family of the late George Rodrigue will also be in attendance to witness the groundbreaking of the park in his hometown. Rodrigue is most well-known for his series of paintings featuring the Blue Dog and for his series of Cajun culture-inspired paintings.

“The Rodrigue family is going to come for the groundbreaking,” organizer Paul Schexnayder said. “I know part of it is about thanking some of the people who gave us large donations.”

The event, which is open to the public, will take place 11 a.m. Thursday starting on the corner of East Main Street and Serret Alley. It will continue at the Sliman Theater, followed by light lunch refreshments.

Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP to the Bayou Teche Museum at 606-5977.