Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival + St. Martin Parish Commercial

ST. MARTINVILLE, La. – The Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival takes place March 20-21 at the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville, showcasing Acadian history, culture, music and traditions.

The free, family-friendly festival is on Bayou Teche at S. New Market St. and kicks off with a reception honoring three families intertwined with Acadiana history.

According to the Acadian Memorial online news page, families exiled from Acadie/Nova Scotia, Canada, who sought refuge in Louisiana are honored at every festival. This year, the reception will honor the Poirier, Granger and LeJeune/Young families.

The Acadian Memorial honors the 3,000 Acadian men, women and children who found refuge in Louisiana after British forces exiled them from Acadie. Its annual festival recognizes this exile and celebrates the resulting Acadian history and culture in South Louisiana.

During the Fest: St. Martin Parish Commercial

Visit St. Martin Parish posted on Facebook that a film crew will be at the Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival on Saturday, March 21, at 9 a.m. at The Evangeline Oak Tree. The filming is a reenactment scene of a mural for a St. Martin Parish Tourism commercial.

Community members have the opportunity to be a part of the filming by reaching out on Facebook or at longfellow_int@crt.la.gov

Acadian Memorial Heritage Festival Schedule

Friday, March 20

• 6 – 8 p.m., Reception at Acadian Memorial
  • Honoring the Poirier, Granger and LeJeune/Young families.

Saturday, March 21

• 9 a.m.
  • Opening of festival grounds
    • Putt Putt Boat arrival until 9:45 a.m.
• 10 a.m.
  • Flag Raising and Opening Ceremonies of Festival with Mayor Jason Willis
  • Food, drink and craft booths open
    • Jambalaya, boudin, cracklins and fried catfish
  • Théâtre Cadien presents Historical Vignettes en Français
    • Acadian Memorial Building
    • Ends 10:30 a.m.
  • Veille Maniere Band
    • Until 3 p.m., with a pause at 12:30 p.m. for the Re-enactment of the Arrival of Acadians in Louisiana
• 11 a.m.
  • Warren Perrin presentation: “Revisiting the Acadians’ Role in Starting, Fighting and Winning the American Revolution”
    • City Hall Council Chambers
  • French Table hosted by Jolene Adams
    • Acadian Museum Building
    • Ends 12 p.m.
• 11:30 a.m.
  • Mary Perrin presentation: “The Healing Traditions of South Louisiana”
    • City Hall Council Chambers
• 12:30 p.m.
  • Re-enactment of the Arrival of Acadians in Louisiana
    • Bayou & Gazebo Area
    • Honoring the Poirier, Granger and LeJeune/Young families
    • Boats leave at 12 p.m.
• 3 p.m.
  • Festival grounds close
• Open all day in the Bayou Area
  • Lafayette Genealogy Society Family History Help Booth
  • Sweets Booth
  • Wooden Boat Display