Ville Platte Rotary Club hears from new festival representatives

January 27, Meeting
At the open of the January 27, meeting of the Ville Platte Rotary Club, Sacred Heart Rotary Interact Club Sponsor Kimberly Lejeune, Club president Claire Bordelon and several club members were in attendance to present Rotary President David Mayeux with a donation toward the Rotary International polio project. The school club, through a community effort, raised $300 toward Rotary’s goal of eradicating polio worldwide. The club then heard a program from representatives of the newly-formed Prairie Heritage Inc., a group planning a Grand Hoorah festival at Chicot State Park April 10-11, the weekend following Easter. The group’s festival will be similar to the Folk Roots Festival previously held at Chicot State Park. Gilbert “Winky” Aucoin asked the Rotary Club’s business leaders for their support of the new festival, which will strive to bring Cajun and Creole culture and traditions to the community through music and cooking demonstration and lessons and live musical entertainment. Aucoin said there is still much interest from all over the state, country and world from people interested in learning about the Cajun and Creole culture in South Louisiana. Aucoin talked with Linzay Young and Tony Davoren about forming a new festival to be held at Chicot State Park. Young and Davoren bring musical and culinary experience to the event through their love of the culture and previous involvement with the Folk Roots Festival. All three are very happy to bring this type of event back to the area and are looking for volunteers and support from the community to make the event a huge success in order to keep the traditions alive for future generations. Aucoin stated Steve Riley is scheduled to perform Friday night, and Geno Delafosse will perform Saturday, in addition to many other musical acts to be added. Aucoin noted he is happy to have the state parks commission on board supporting the event and hopes to get the word out with more details to follow as the event gets closer. Proceeds from the event will be geared toward the French immersion program at Chataignier Elementary School and for fellowships to bring young students together with masters of music and cuisine in order to pass on the skills necessary to keep the Cajun and Creole culture and traditions alive and well for future generations.