Macaroni KID New Iberia helps to answer the most important question from kid to parent: “What are we doing today?”

In 2021, Tracie Ysaguire became the independent publisher, editor, and digital creator for Macaroni KID New Iberia, a local program that highlights events, family resources and other happenings on this side of Acadiana for local parents and families to use and enjoy. Macaroni KID New Iberia provides inclusive content for all families to enjoy and aims to make all feel welcomed.

“We have so many wonderful smaller towns and cities that have events and activities that many folks may not know about. That’s where I come in,” Ysaguire said. “

Ysaguire helps the community by publishing a free weekly newsletter that goes out every Thursday evening for their subscribers to get the details of what’s happening that week around town, as well as parenting tips, kid’s crafts, recipes, and much more delivered directly to their inbox.

Their biggest attraction is their event calendar, which highlights local, free, or low-cost family events for followers to use to plan their family fun. Another one is the community guides that are published several times throughout the year offering a one stop shop for details on local festivals, parades, holiday family events and activities, as well as back to school resources and other support.

The newsletter is hyper-focused on local content, with support from the national parent companies that include Macaroni KID, Certifikid, and HulaFrog.

Growing up in New Orleans, Ysaguire moved to the Acadiana area fourteen years ago, but has lived in New Iberia for the last five years with her family. It’s a place that reminds her of home, and a place she wants to highlight for the better.

“The people, the events, the festivals, the community support… it’s hands down one of the best in Acadiana,” Ysaguire said. “I’ve always said that New Iberia is a small town with a big city feel to it.”

While in New Orleans, trying to find fun activities to do with her kids of varying ages, Ysaguire said she stumbled on a local edition of Macaroni KID, where she found discounts, free events, parenting resources, classes, all things that could help her family at the time. She remembered saying to herself that she could do something like that one day.

“At Macaroni KID, I like to partner with local groups and organizations to bring folks to the New Iberia area/Iberia Parish,” Ysaguire. “We also work with businesses/groups in Morgan City, Franklin, Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, Abbeville, and Erath.”

Macaroni KID is able to offer free content because of partnerships, advertising packages, and sponsorship with local businesses and organizations in the area that we cover.

They offer advertising packages for online media to local businesses in the area including featured articles, sponsored content / email marketing, online ads on the website, social media marketing, and more.

As the new year approaches, Ysaguire is moving into her third year running the brand and site for Macaroni KID, and is looking to do more local sponsorships that will allow her to expand the brand as a whole, giving her the opportunities and recourse to do more community events, giveaways, and other resources for local families.

“I would like to host an event or two this year in New Iberia that is family friendly-focused like a homeschool resource event, back to school giveaway, or a mom’s night out event,” Ysaguire said.

Working and running Macaroni KID allows Ysaguire to work from home, where she homeschools her twins, supporting them and their various clubs and sports, as well as other activities they are involved in.

She is thankful Macaroni KID gives her that opportunity, so for her, she wants to give back as much as possible,” Ysaguire said.

“I love to give back to the community and have always volunteered throughout my career, and Macaroni KID allows me to continue to do that – whether it’s my time, talent, or treasure.

In 2024, Ysaguire said she would like to continue to grow this brand in the community and bring more awareness to all the good things that are happening here.

“I was an early adapter to social media marketing and I always believed in social good, highlighting the good happening on social platforms in our community rather than tearing down our neighbors,” Ysaguire said.

If you would like to learn more about the group, visit Macaroni KID New Iberia at newiberia.macaronikid.com.