Creole Heritage Celebration 1: Bayou Talk and Creole Heritage Day
A proclamation issued in 1991 by Governor Buddy Roemer proclaiming January 22nd as Creole Heritage Day in Louisiana was the beginning of an annual celebration that eventually outgrew its original sponsors. The St. Augustine Historical Society partnered with the parishioners of the Cane River catholic church of the same name to host the event on grounds there. The first official celebration was held in 1993 and continued under the sponsorship of the Society until 2003.
The sponsorship was then transferred to the Creole Center at Northwestern State University who has elected to move the date of the celebration from January to the second week in October beginning 2004. The event has traditionally included a celebration of the Creole traditions such as the musicians and their music, the cooks and their foods, the artists and their works, of course the families and their connections across America and beyond.
The continued celebration of Creole Heritage under the sponsorship of the NSU Heritage Center has expanded to include an educational component. The celebration is scheduled to coincide with the annual St. August Church Fair and the Natchitoches Tour of Homes held the second week of October. A partnership has been formed with the committees of all three events to develop associated activities and joint promotion.