New Iberia’s Spanish heritage was celebrated Saturday as La Asociación Española de Nueva Iberia put on a special event celebrating the Spanish founder of the city Francisco Bouligny.

Participants that included pageant royalty and supporters of the organization paraded from Cane Pecan Company to Bouligny Plaza where a special presentation was given regarding the influence of Spanish culture in New Iberia’s founding.

Along with a talk about Bouligny, information was given on Bernardo de Galvez, a Louisiana governor who had a prominent role in establishing New Iberia.

La Asociación Española de Nueva Iberia is a local organization dedicated to the promotion of Spanish culture in New Iberia. The group puts on the annual New Iberia Spanish Festival, which has grown throughout the years and even seen dignitaries from New Iberia’s sister city in Spain, Alhaurin de la Torre, attend the events and learn about the local culture.

The group also gives special attention to those of Spanish ancestry in New Iberia. Although the city’s Cajun heritage is often boasted, New Iberia also has a large number of people bearing the surnames of Romero, Miguez and Lopez that come directly from the founding families of the city.