Tuesday, Oct 31, 2006
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, Louisiana, recently hosted a daylong camp retreat for a group of 30 deaf –blind campers and 50 support staff from the Louisiana Career Development Center of Baton Rouge. Park rangers presented programming on rural and urban Mardi Gras traditions and Cajun music.
Campers sampled king cakes, a traditional Mardi Gras treat, and had the opportunity to hold and play various musical instruments including a guitar, fiddle, spoons, and t-fers (“little irons,” Cajun triangles). Since the majority of participants were deaf and all or partly blind, the campers learned through signing as well as tactile touch communication. After a Cajun lunch, the participants participated in a spinning and weaving program, holding and feeling both raw materials and finished products.
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is managed by the National Park Service as one of the six sites of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The center is located at 250 W. Park Ave. in Eunice and features exhibits interpreting the culture of the Acadians who settled the prairies of southwest Louisiana. Folklife demonstrations include cooking, Cajun music, dancing, quilting and other crafts. The center is open 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. Tuesday through Fridays and 8:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Saturdays. The center and all activities and demonstrations are free and open to the public. Call 337-457-8490 or visit www.nps.gov/jela for more information.
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