All are invited to St. Martinville on August 15 for a free and family- friendly celebration of La Fête Nationale de l’Acadie or National Acadian Day.
There will be a tintamarre (noisy foot parade), music, dancing. and games. The Acadian Memorial and Museum, African American Museum and Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site will be open for visitors with free admission.
In 1881, Acadian delegates in Canada chose the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary on August 15 as their national holiday. Today Acadian descendants around the world, including Louisiana Cajuns and Creoles, reflect and celebrate on this day.
Because the fiddle was so prominent in 19th century Acadian music, Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site will host an indoor fiddle jam led 2:00 p.m. in the AV room.
All are welcome to walk in the tintamarre, a noisy procession of Acadian pride. Familyfriendly costumes of blue, white, red and yellow and noisemakers are encouraged.
The tintamarre starts on Dalton Hebert Lane (between the 300 and 400 blocks of North Main Street) after Fête Dieu du Teche ends around 6:00 pm The foot parade will follow a five-block route down Main Street, turning onto Evangeline Boulevard to arrive at the Acadian Memorial.
Before the tintamarre, the Fête Dieu du Teche boat procession will carry the Blessed Sacrament down Bayou Teche to St. Martinville. Those who wish to join in prayer may meet the boats arriving near the Evangeline Oak around 4:30 p.m. and walk quietly to Notre Dame Catholic Church, St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church and the Mater Dolorosa Chapel for rosaries and benedictions.
Those who are not walking to the churches go directly to the Acadian Memorial where the National Acadian Day celebration begins at 4:00 pm.
When the noisy tintamarre arrives the party continues at the Acadian Memorial with live acoustic Cajun/Creole music by Chad Huval and the Babineaux Sisters, dancing and games.
There will be an Acadian Trivia Contest inside the Memorial at 7:30 p.m.. To pre-register for the contest with a team maximum of 6 people, email longfellow_ [email protected].
For August 15, the Acadian Memorial and Museum and African American Museum will be open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. with free admission.
For more information or assistance, call the St. Martinville Culture, Recreation and Tourism Office at 337-394-2233 or Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site at 337-394-3754.
