Celebrate South Louisiana

Some moments are so quintessentially south Louisiana, they’re a marvel in and of themselves.

Such was the case last year when my 14-year-old and I stood a few feet from the Cast Net King – hoodoo man extraordinaire – and his entourage at the La Fete D’Ecologie. For those who haven’t encountered his majesty, let’s just say under all the moss and the bayou exterior, like most true Cajuns, he has a heart of gold.

And that heart, it seems, pumps salt-free wetland water.

La Fete is sponsored by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program. The one-day festival is set for Sept. 27 at the Jean Lafitte Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center (314 St. Mary St., La. Hwy. 1) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

BTNEP staff Shelley Sparks is quick to remind folks that the event “is designed to educate people about the amazing environment they live in, the history of the region and the unique blend of cultures found in the estuary.”

Well said.

La Fete is a reminder of the many features that make south Louisiana – and especially the Tri-parishes – a unique place to live, work and play.

In addition to a number of craft activities and hands-on demonstrations, the day-long family outing includes live performances by the Lost Bayou Ramblers, a roots Cajun music band from Pilette, La., who were nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for the CD “Live A La Blue Moon” in the new Best Zydeco or Cajun Music category.

Other acts at the festival will be Cadien Toujours, Drew Landry and Foret Tradition.

A new offering among the craft activities this year will be pine-needle basket weaving, Sparks said. Festival-goers can observe that activity, plus gourd carving, pirogue carving (along with other dugout carving) and duck decoy carving. And visitors can see chair-caning and cast nets being made.

The Thibodaux event is a great opportunity to learn about the history, culture and bounty of the evironment and the efforts to restore Louisiana’s wetlands, Sparks said.