VisitSt. Martinville To [email protected] Jun11 Immediate Release Contact ElaineClément at 337-394-2233 or at [email protected] forfurther info. June 11, 2015 Pressrelease for Programs for eachof the 3 days are attached. Celebrating250 years of Acadian presence in 2015 Please joinus, the Acadian Memorial and the City of St. Martinville, this yearas we celebrate the 250thanniversaryof the arrival of the Acadians in the Opelousas and AttakapasDistricts with events on July 28, Aug 15 and Oct 8, 2015. On July 28,we celebrate the ‘’Day of Commemoration of the Great Upheaval’’of the Acadians, as proclaimed in 2003 by the Canadian representativeof the Queen of England. On July 28 in 1755, the ordercame down to deport the Acadians from Acadie. Please joinus from 3-5pm as we honor the Acadian ancestors and as SylviaBienvenue, a long-time educator and Acadian Memorial Foundation Boardmember, is inducted into the Order of Living Legends. TheFoundation selects a recipient each year to be inducted into theOrder, established by Warren Perrin and the Acadian Museum inErath. Since 1997, the museum has recognized and honoredthose individuals who have helped shape and define the Cajunculture. A reception follows the program. A newexhibit, entitled “Celebrating 250 years of Acadian presence in theOpelousas and Attakapas Districts – Journey through historicaldocuments will open on the same day. Documents fromthe GrandPré registershoused at the Diocese of Baton Rouge, St. Martin de Tours CatholicChurch and St. Martin Parish Courthouse, will narrate the Acadiansjourney to their new home in Louisiana. The exhibitcontinues through the end of 2015. On August 15, wecelebrate LaFête Nationale des Acadiens,the National Day of the Acadians and the Assumption, a day chosen inthe 19th centuryby an assembly of Acadians in Canada for its connection to the VirginMary, the patron of the Acadians. The day willbegin with the raising of the Acadian flag at City Hall, followed bya reception. All day activities include a French table,presentations on the links between the Acadian and African culturesand other subjects, videos on Acadian culture, a presentation onthe ProjetNouvelle-Acadie,theater in French and other activities. The day ends with music,dance lessons, jambalaya for sale and a parade of banners. On August 15,you can also join with Fr. Michael Champagne and a flotilla of boatscelebrating laFête Dieu du Tèche,a Eucharistic procession beginning in Leonville with a Mass at 8amand ending with a procession to St. Martin de Tours Catholic Churchat 4:45pm. Visit their Facebook page at Fete Dieu du Techeor contact Fr. Champagne at 337-394-6550 orat [email protected] On October 8, wecelebrate the GrandRéveil Acadien inSt. Martinville. Greg Wood and Marty Guidry will speak inthe afternoon about the Acadians of Maryland, followed by are-enactment of the arrival of the Acadians and a traditionalsing-a-long in French. The ProjetNouvelle-AcadieCommittee invites you to spend the morning in Loreauville. Don’t forget tovisit St.Martin de Tours CatholicChurch, also celebrating the arrival of the Acadians and 250 years asa parish. Check them outat www.stmartindetours.org oron Facebook for details and scheduled Masses celebrating theanniversary year. The first Acadiansarrived in Louisiana in 1764, but it was in 1765 that the Acadiansarrived in the Opelousas and Attakapas Districts. Theearliest records are housed in St. Martinville, where St.Martin de Tours CatholicChurch was established, as well as the St. Martin Parish Courthouse.Thanks to the work of the folks with ProjetNouvelle Acadie (at http://newacadiaproject.blogspot.com/ oron Facebook) and other researchers, it has been determinedthat the first 3 encampments of the Acadians who arrived in this areawere probably located near Loreauville. Come join us duringthis anniversary year to discover more about these and othertopics. Bonanniversaire les Acadiens! Happyanniversary to the Acadians! For moreinformation, visit our web page at www.acadianmemorial.org orour Facebook page, Acadian Memorial, call us at 337-394-2258 or writeus at [email protected]