Photograph: Etha Amling and James Douget address the audience at the meeting of the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A projected Public Broadcasting System episode that features St. Landry businesses and recreational destinations is scheduled for a broadcast debut in 2024, parish tourism officials were told on Thursday.
Parish Tourism Commission members learned during a monthly networking meeting held at the historic Michel Prudhomme Home that the planned PBS special includes visits to the Steamboat Warehouse in Washington, artwork from the Creole Center in Opelousas, Tee Don’s rubboard factory in Sunset, The Academy of The Sacred Heart school campus in Grand Coteau and the Teche Brewery near Arnaudville..
Tourist Commission marketing director Sarah Wise added during an interview that a PBS film crew selected the subject matter from a list of possible sites.
“We (Tourist Commission officials) provided them with a list of places. After the directors did extensive research those were the locations that were chosen to highlight,” Wise added.
Commission representatives from Arnaudville, Washington, Opelousas civic clubs and adjacent parishes provided information on upcoming events during the meeting which included tours supervised by members of the Preservationists of St. Landry, a non-profit group that owns the home and property.
Arnaudville
Mavis Fruge, who represented St. Luc’s in Arnaudville, provided an update on the fourth year of renovation for the former rural hospital facility. When completed Fruge said, the building will be converted into a center for the study and preservation of the French language.
St. Luc’s, Fruge explained, is now designated as a non-profit entity which seeks to teach and preserve many of the customary Acadian French crafts such as growing brown cotton. There will also be a genealogy room with records of families that have populated the parish, said Fruge.
Washington
Ann Jones and Halli Polotzola discussed the rehabilitations of historic businesses and residences in Washington.
Plans for one of the projects includes developing a downtown boutique, while one home is being converted into a bed and breakfast. There is also a business model for a Lebanese restauran in Washington, Polotzola said during an interview.
Jones mentioned the continued cleanup efforts for three town-owned cemeteries in addition to projects sponsored by an active Washington Garden Club.
Opelousas
Yvonne Normand, representing St. Landy Interact and the city, mentioned a July 30-sponsored scavenger hunt that begins at the parish courthouse July 30.
Normand said the all-ages event which starts at 5 p.m., features various locations in the Opelousas downtown area.
Other Events
St. Luc’s is scheduled to host a Fete de St. Luc (October 8). Traditional crafts will be highlighted in addition to musical guests, Fruge said.
In Washington Jones said the town has scheduled a Washington Christmas Festival (Dec. 9). In 2024, the town will host a Community Festival (March 23).
