Re-enactment to start Bicentennial

The year-long observance of the 200th anniversary of the incorporation of St. Martinville kicks off this Saturday with a full day of festivities in Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site.
One highlight of the day will be a re-enactment of the signing of the legislative bill creating the municipality which took place on Jan. 30, 1817.
According to research by the staff of the Louisiana State Archives, St. Martinville was likely the sixth town in the state to be incorporated after New Orleans (which was incorporated in 1805 while Louisiana was still a territory), Donaldsonville and St. Francisville (1813), Covington in 1816, and Baton Rouge, just a couple of weeks before St. Martinville.
Settlement of this area of what was then known as the Attakapas District, actually began in earnest with the arrival of the exiled Acadians in 1755.

(See Page B-1 of this issue for a full accounting of St. Martinville’s early beginnings.)

Families and tents and lawn chairs are welcome on Jan. 28! A couple of local families are organizing mini family reunions. “We’d love to have you and your families!” says Elaine Clément, the city’s director of tourism.
Events scheduled for Saturday’s Renaissance de la Ville include:

•7 a.m. – 5K Registration.
•8 a.m. –5K Run.
•9 a.m. – Park opens; flag raising ceremony; Cook-off featuring representatives from area communities begins.
•10 a.m. – Re-enactment of the Act of Incorporation of St. Martinville.
•Noon – Food served.
•1 p.m. – Choir concert and ecumenical service.
•3 p.m. – Fais Do-Do with music by Sideshow.
•5 p.m. – Park closes.
The day includes activities for children (games, face painting, photo booth), community art project, Cajun and Creole cookers, tours of park attractions, presentations and more.
Admission fees to Longfellow-Evangeline are waived for the day.
For more details, visit www.facebook.com/StMartinvilleBicentennial.