Editor’s Note

An oft-repeated refrain from my dad  when my brother and I were kids was “If you can’t find something to do, I’ll find something for you.” That was code for chores and I wanted no part of it. I learned young to never utter the word “bored” within a mile of my dad. My older brother, being a little hardheaded, didn’t get the memo, hence the phrase being repeated a lot — especially during the summer months when the hours and days seemed so much longer. Camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing and swimming were our typical summertime pursuits, along with festivals, trips to museums and amusement parks, walks to the soft serve ice cream joint, kickball and tag on the street, and picking blackberries at our neighbor’s farm.    

As an adult, I still don’t dare to even whisper the word “bored” and with good reason — there’s even more to do with new restaurants, bars, distilleries and breweries opening all the time, as well as art shows, live music and dancing.    

Case in point, three years ago, we started our now annual “25 Fun Things to Do” feature.  Each year, we revisit the question, “Will we have enough without covering too much of the same territory?” The answer continues to be a resounding “Yes!”

Our writer for each installment is Cheré Coen and she always pulls quite a few surprises out of her hat. For example, I was this issue years old when I learned about the pink dolphin that lives in Gulf waters south of Lake Charles. My mind is officially blown. Flip through the story and get your summer planned in a jiffy. Don’t worry, there are plenty of indoor activities on the list, for when it’s just too hot to think.

As usual, we also have a solid lineup of art, food (speaking of which, the delicious boudin featured on the cover was shot by Lafayette-based photographer and wine retailer Denny Culbert), day trips and more in this issue. It’s safe to say that if you can’t find something fun to do in Acadiana, you aren’t trying — especially during the summer months.

Cheers!

Melanie Warner Spencer
Managing Editor
Melanie@AcadianaProfile.com

Awards

International and Regional Magazine Association

2023
Finalist Magazine of the Year
Silver Overall Art Direction
Silver Art and Culture Feature
Bronze Art Direction of a Single Story
Bronze Reader Service
Bronze Home and Garden
Bronze Photo Series
Bronze Cover
2022
Winner Magazine of the Year
Gold Overall Art Direction
Gold Art Direction of a Single Story
Gold Portrait Series
Silver Food Feature
Bronze Reader Service Article
Bronze Special Focus
2021
Gold Art Direction of a Single Story
Silver Covid Related Story
Silver Food Feature
Bronze Overall Art Direction
2020
Gold Overall Art Direction
Silver Art and Culture Feature
Silver Recreation Feature
Bronze Food Feature
Bronze Profiles
Bronze Art Direction of a Single Story
2019
Winner Magazine of the Year
Gold Overall Art Direction
Gold Art Direction Single Story
Gold Photo Series
Silver Photographer of the Year
2018
Gold Overall Art Direction
Gold Magazine Photographer
Gold Art Direction of a Single Story
Gold Food Feature
Gold Department
Silver Magazine Writer of the Year
Silver Hed & Dek
Silver Photo Series
2017
Gold Overall Art Direction
Gold Magazine Photographer of the Year
Gold Art Direction of a Single Story
Gold Food Feature
Silver Cover
2016
Gold Overall Art Direction
Gold Magazine Photographer of the Year
Gold Art Direction of a Single Story
Silver Photo Series