THIBODAUX – Approximately 1,300 youths from area primary, middle and secondary schools will be attending the Bayou French Education Program, or “Tresors du Bayou,” scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday, March 18, near John L. Guidry Stadium at Nicholls State University.
Intended as a prelude to the three-day, third annual Louisiana Swamp Stomp Festival, the Tresors du Bayou cultural program will feature local artists, historians and craftsmen performing for the public at no cost. There will be a swamp pop band playing Zydeco and Cajun Music and dance instructors who will teach guests how to dance the Cajun Waltz, Cajun Two-Step and Cajun Jitterbug. Tresors du Bayou will end with a free concert featuring Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys.
“We are delighted that the leaders of so many area schools recognize the value of this cultural immersion event,” Brenda Haskins, Nicholls director of auxiliary services and Swamp Stomp Festival committee co-chair, said. “The whole purpose of this event, and the subsequent Swamp Stomp festival, is to promote and preserve authentic Cajun and Creole culture. I know the children will have a ball learning about the cultural roots of this area, and I encourage them to bring their families back to the Swamp Stomp festival itself, which kicks off the same day!”
Participating schools include St. Joseph’s Elementary, St. Genevieve Elementary and the eLearning School in Thibodaux; West Park Elementary, St. Bernadette Elementary, Maria Immaculota Elementary and Lisa Park Elementary in Houma; Holy Cross Elementary and M.E. Norman Elementary in Morgan City; Patterson Junior High in Patterson; and Holy Rosary Elementary in Larose.
Tresors du Bayou is funded by a grant from the Houma Regional Arts Council and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program.
For additional details, go to www.nicholls.edu/swamp_stomp/ and click on “Bayou French Education Program.”
