News, Sports and Entertainment for St. Martin Parish, La.

Article Image Alt Text

CREATION OF CITY — Parish President Guy Cormier, portraying Louisiana Governor Jacques Villeré, uses a long quill pen to affix his signature to the Act of Incorporation establishing the city of St. Martinville,which occurred on Jan. 30, 1817. Looking on are (from left) State Rep. Mike Huval, State Rep. Terry Landry, State Sen. Fred Mills and Mayor Thomas Nelson, who all played parts in a re-enactment ceremony that highlighted a full day of bicentennial festivities last Saturday in Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.(Henri C. Bienvenu)

City celebrates 200th birthday

Henri C. Bienvenu henri.bienvenu@techetoday.com

The City of St. Martinville kicked off a year-long observance of the 200th anniversary of its incorporation this past Saturday with a full day of festivities in Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.
Hundreds of local and area residents, including many St. Martinville natives now living elsewhere, turned out despite overcast skies and a chilly wind.
Early birds competed in a 5K Walk/Run that began at 8 a.m.
A brief flag-raising ceremony at 9:30 was followed by one of the day’s highlights – the re-enactment of the signing of the Act of Incorporation which took place on Jan. 30, 1817.
St. Martinville became the sixth municipality to be incorporated in the new state of Louisiana after New Orleans, St. Francisville, Donaldsonville, Covington and Baton Rouge.
Dressed in period costume, Parish President Guy Cormier portrayed Gov. Jacques Villeré. The parish’s current state legislators – Sen. Fred Mills and Reps. Mike Huval and Terry Landry – played the parts of legislators who represented what was known as the Attakapas County in 1817 – Reps. Alexander Porter Jr. (who introduced the Act of Incorporation) and Louis DeBlanc, and Sen. Nathan Kember.
Students from the 5th grade at St. Martinville Primary School recalled different aspects of the Act’s legal provisions governing the new town.
Mayor Thomas Nelson, also in costume, served as emcee of the event, and Toye Taylor, chief of staff for Gov. John Bel Edwards, presented a special proclamation from the Governor’s Office.
A stirring invocation was offered by Fr. Michael Champagne with the Community of Jesus Crucified.
Entertainment was also provided by the Twirling Divas and Cajun musician Helen Boudreaux.
Representatives from Abbeville’s Cattlemen’s Association, Breaux Bridge, Henderson, Parks, Loreauville and Scott cooked and served food dishes their communities are noted for during the noon hour and the Black Pot cookers also demonstrated their talents preparing food over an open fire.
In the afternoon, choirs from Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church, Mallalieu Methodist Church, Union Baptist Church, St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, Notre Dame de Secours Catholic Church and the Community of Jesus Crucified performed individually and then joined together for a grand finale of “America” and “Amazing Grace.”
Youngsters enjoyed sack races and a tug-of-war while Sideshow provided music to help close out the day’s activities.
On Monday, Jan. 30, representatives of the local Garden Club helped plant a Bicentennial Oak on the city’s festival grounds at the corner of Columbus and Madison Streets. Later during the year a time capsule will be buried near the tree.

Our website requires visitors to log in to view the best local news from St. Martin Parish. Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe today!

Follow Us

Subscriber Links