<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1heR6h_0wPaCRMp00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1heR6h_0wPaCRMp00" width="2015" height="1134" >Clear skies provided for a bright weekend of activities and a large crowd during the 55th annual International Acadian Festival.Estimates were not available at closing Sunday night, but a rain-free weekend — and both college football teams playing away — brought strong turnouts Saturday and Sunday. Both days surpassed the Friday night festivities, largely because of high school football games in the area. As a traditional highlight of the event, a water ceremony along Bayou Plaquemine on Saturday night brought 2024 Evangeline Olivia Sanchez and the Indian princesses to the festival grounds. Sanchez and the princesses also rode in the festival parade through Plaquemine on Sunday morning, along with 2024 Grand Marshal Betty Aucoin. The procession also included school bands, business floats, pageant winners and an array of candidates who made their presence known with less than 10 remaining in the campaigns.The festival has enjoyed strong attendance through the years, but more so since the relocation to the Mark A. “Tony” Gulotta Waterfront Park area six years ago. Plaquemine Mayor Edwin M. “Ed” Reeves Jr., a longtime member of Knights of Columbus Council 970, led the move to relocate it from the Mike Zito Multipurpose Center, which became the home of the festival in 2005. “The biggest advantage of having it here is that we don’t have to worry about mud since the entire area is paved,” he said. “Besides, having this right along La. 1 going into town may attract people passing through the area.”Many of the traditional attractions remained a big part of the festival. The event continued the tradition of carnival rides, food vendors and booths for everything from homemade jewelry to homemade preserves.In addition, the festival featured local bands who performed music ranging from country and classic rock and rhythm and blues, along with Zydeco and Cajun tunes. The late Gary J. Hebert, founder of POST/SOUTH along with his wife Joyce S. Hebert, spearheaded the effort to start the festival in 1969, under the name “The Cajun Festival.” Former Gov. Jimmie Davis was grand marshal for the first parade.The first event was held on the grounds of St. John School overlooking Price Street. It was relocated to the Iberville Fairgrounds on La. 1 a year later, and it remained in that location until 2004.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Longtime traditions and new attractions highlight International Acadian Festival

Clear skies provided for a bright weekend of activities and a large crowd during the 55th annual International Acadian Festival. Estimates were not available at closing Sunday night, but a rain-free weekend — and both college football teams playing away — brought strong turnouts Saturday and Sunday. Both...