Prairie Acadian Cultural Center to celebrate National Park Service centennial

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve’s Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice announces a special day of centennial fun on Saturday, August 27, to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. The center is located at 250 West Park Avenue, Eunice.
More information is available at 337-457-8499 or at www.nps.gov/jela.
The day’s schedule of free activities at the center includes
10 a.m.-noon — Explore & Restore crafts workshop for children of all ages creates a diorama of prairie life
Noon-1 p.m. — Polar Freeze game with Jacques de Frost
1 p.m. — Architect Andy Hebert explains the why, where, and how behind Acadiana’s original Cajun building styles and shares energy-saving tips for modern homes
2:45-3:45 p.m. — Old-time Bal de Maison-style music and dancing with Cajun French Music Association Hall-of-Famer Harry Lafleur and friends
4 p.m. — Cooking demonstration with guest chef Roger Tabb making Louisiana cane syrup cake
On Saturday evening, the weekly Rendez-vous des Cajuns live music show features a performance by the Lee Benoit Family Band at the Liberty Theater, 200 West Park Ave. in Eunice. Doors open and tickets go on sale at 4:00 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $5.
“We’re welcoming everyone to our birthday party,” said Park Guide Angelle Bellard. “Every hour is filled with something fun for our visitors to celebrate the centennial of the creation of the National Park Service. The NPS has the privilege of preserving and sharing America’s treasures, and one of them is of course the history and culture of the people of Louisiana’s Cajun prairies. August 27 promises to be a good time for all!”
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 programs include music and dancing beginning at 2:45 p.m. and a cooking demonstration beginning 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. Admission to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is free and all activities and demonstrations are free and open to the public.