The city’s celebration of its 125th year is planned for Sept. 14 beginning with a parade at 10 a.m. and a chance for a prize of $12,500 at a game to follow.
Alderwoman Connie Thibodeaux announced a few details about the celebration at Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting.
A game is planned at 10:30 a.m with a prize of $12,500 as a play off of the 125-year celebration is in the works.
Thibodeaux did not offer any detail about the game.
The day’s events are to include a Cajun rice and gravy cooking contest, opening time capsule placed 25 years ago, a Cajun dance contest, old-time car show and live music.
Musicians planned are Carl Huval, Geno Delafose and The Pine Leaf Boys.
The centerpiece of the day is the unveiling of the Clovis the Crawfish statue by descendants of Mary Alice Fontenot and statewide dignitaries from 3 to 4 p.m.
Thibodeaux, in a news release said, “Eunice is the home to Clovis the Crawfish. It is only fitting that we honor the legacy of his creator by erecting a statue of this hometown legend.”
The news release continued, “Founded by the legendary lawman and pioneer land developer in 1894, CC Duson, named the town after his second wife, Eunice Pharr Duson. Duson sold lots of land 50 by 140, mapped out in 12 lots to a block. He then persuaded the Southern Pacific Railroad to extend a line from Crowley to Eunice. Thus was the beginning of the City of Eunice and the families who settled in the city have left generations to help guide it to the thriving community we see today.”
Donations are requested to help pay for the statue and festival. Donations of $500 or more will have their name honored on the plaque of the statue, which will be located in front of the Depot Museum located on C.C Duson Street. Any donations of $250 or $100 will be recognized via newspaper, festival and social media. The City of Eunice will collect donations until June.