Learn Cajun culture at annual Acadian Culture Day

     Want to learn all about the Cajun culture. Here’s your chance. The Bayou Vermilion District celebrates its annual Acadian Culture Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013, at Vermilionville. The event happens near National Acadian Day, held every year on Aug. 15. 

     Vermilionville’s Acadian Culture Day focuses on family folklore and will include tarte cooking demonstrations, artisan demonstrations such as trapping, creating Job’s tear rosaries, quilting, wood carving, Mardi Gras capuchon and mask making, open hearth cooking and old-time washing and clothesline hanging. In addition, there will be canoe trips on Le Petit Bayou, games and crafts for children including tintamarre noise makers, rag dolls and Acadiana flag making and sharing circles on “Healing Traditions & Superstitions.”

     Best of all, it’s free. 

     The film “Tintamarre — On the Trail of Acadians in North America” by André Gladu and “T’Galop: A Louisiana Horse Story” by Conni Castille will be screened and La Recolte Band and the Al Berard Family Band will perform in the Performance Center with dance lessons beforehand. 

     Each year for Acadian Culture Day Vermilionville presents a representative of the community with the Acadian Cultural Preservation Award in recognition of outstanding lifetime contributions to the preservation of the culture and the community. This year’s recipient is Richard Guidry for his impact on multiple levels of the Acadian community.

     Past award recipients include: the Michot Family, Pat Mire, Aldus Roger, Floyd Sonnier, Camey Doucet, Warren Perrin, Eddie Richard, A.J. LeBlanc, Karl Breaux, Pete Bergeron, Elaine Clément, Dr. Carl A. Brasseaux, Dr. Ray Brassieur and Edward Cazayoux.

     For more information, visit http://www.vermilionville.org.

Where are the fireworks?

    If you’re wondering who’s offering a pyrotechnic show this Fourth of July, here’s an easy run-down on fireworks displays for Lafayette and surrounding towns.

    Lafayette — Fireworks begins at 9:15 p.m. in Parc International downtown, part of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra’s “Red, White and Boom!” performance and celebration which begins at 5 p.m. (Read our previous blog!)
    Youngsville — Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. at Sugar Mill Pond Town Center, 101 Waterview Road in Youngsville.
    Broussard — Fireworks kick off at 9 p.m. at Home Depot, 213 St. Nazaire Road in Broussard. Hot dogs and drinks will be on sale at the store beginning at 5 p.m., with all sales benefiting Miles Perret Cancer Services.
    Eunice — For almost 30 years, the former Mayor and licensed pyrotechnic, Kenneth Peart, orchestrates a 30-minute display beginning at 9 p.m. at Eunice Recreation Complex, 461 Sittig Road in Eunice.  
    Krotz Springs — Fireworks on the River begins at 9 p.m. at Nall Park, 562 Front St. in Krotz Springs. Prior to the fireworks, there will be music, children’s activities, hot dogs and watermelon.
    Erath – The 67th annual Erath Fourth of July celebration includes a 9 p.m. fireworks display, but you might want to get there early for the 10 a.m. water fight between area fire departments or the July Fourth parade at 5 p.m. with live music afterwards.
    New Iberia - The New Iberia Independence Day Parade begins at 6 p.m., followed by music and fireworks, at Main Street and Bouligny Plaza.

What’s on your summer bucket list?

    We’d like to know.

    However, if you could use some help with ideas, let us offer a few:
    Ride the Acadian Ambulance at the Children’s Museum of Acadiana.

    Eat a banana split at Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe at Jefferson Street and Johnston, the last Borden’s store of its kind in existence.  
    Visit alligators up close and personal at Lake Martin.

    Eat gourmet food from a truck at any of the dozen or more gourmet food trucks of Lafayette.
    Walk the Horse Farm and visit its century-old live oaks after enjoying the Saturday morning Farmers’ Market.
    Sip wine, view artwork and listen to the Cajun jam session at the Second Saturday ArtWalk throughout downtown Lafayette.
    Dance in the San Souci water fountain, which is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day!
    Bike the Attakapas-Ishak Multi-Use Trail from downtown Lafayette to Beaver Park.
    Take a hike through the Acadiana Park Nature Station.
    Learn about solar energy and sustainable living at the UL-Lafayette BeauSoleil House and then feed the ducks in nearby Girard Park.

University Art Museum

    At noon on Wednesdays meet Planetarium Director David Hostetter at the Lafayette Science Museum and use his telescope to view sunspots.
    Play in the rain (unless it’s lightning). It usually happens every afternoon during the summer.
    Step inside the giant egg, also known as the LITE Center (Louisiana Immersive Technologies Enterprise).

San Souci Fountain

    Listen to experts discuss art at the Paul & Lulu University Art Museum.
    Practice your French at one of the many French Tables held throughout Acadiana.
    Travel back in time to learn how Cajuns and Creoles lived at Acadian Village.
    Take thee out to a ballgame — the Acadiana Cane Cutters play baseball at Fabacher Field at Southside Regional Park in Youngsville.
    Canoe the Vermilion — guided canoe trips are offered at Vermilionville and a put-in spot is now available at the Acadiana Park Nature Station.

    Visit the office of Downtown Development District and pick up a walking brochure of downtown, then enjoy gelato and espresso at Carpe Diem Gelato & Espresso Bar.
    Try to sample as many of the EatLafayette restaurants as you can until Sept. 2, when the campaign ends.
    Eat a snow cone.
    Wow, we could go on forever. What’s on your bucket list?