Prairie Acadian Cultural Center schedules music, food, more for Saturday

The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve shares “the Cajun way” on Saturday with music, food, and fun for visitors of all ages. The Cameron Fontenot Trio will take center stage for the afternoon music program and the day’s cooking demonstration will feature traditional rice and gravy. The center is located at 250 West Park Ave. in Eunice.
More information about the center and its programs is available at 337-457-8499 or at nps.gov/jela . Admission to the center and its programs is free.
The Cameron Fontenot Trio is a new arrival on the Cajun music circuit but the band’s talent and passion for playing traditional Cajun music are obvious. Music begins and the dance floor opens at 2:45 p.m. At 4 p.m.,
Raymond Miller will cook up traditional rice and gravy in the kitchen studio; the audience will receive samples and a recipe.
At 6 p.m., it’s time for the weekly Rendez-vous des Cajuns music show at the recently re-opened Liberty Theater, right next door to the center at 200 Park Ave.
Saturday’s show will feature Cajun music greats the Lee Benoit Family Band. Ticket information is available at 337-457-7389 or www.eunice-la.com.
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is managed by the National Park Service as part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The center features exhibits interpreting the culture of the Acadians who settled the prairies of southwest Louisiana.
Special programs every Saturday include Explore & Restore craft workshops for kids (10 a.m.-noon) and Cajun Conversations to learn and practice conversational Cajun French (1-2:30 p.m.). Saturday afternoon programs include music and dancing beginning at 2:45 p.m. and a cooking demonstration at 4 p.m.
The center is open 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The center is closed on all federal holidays but open on Mardi Gras Day. Admission to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is free and all activities and demonstrations are free and open to the public.