The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center will temporarily have new hours and new programs, including Rendez-vous des Cajuns, on Saturdays beginning Oct. 12.
Rendez-vous des Cajuns has been on hiatus since air conditioning issues at the Liberty Theater caused a temporary closure.
Until further notice, the center will be open 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays; Wednesday-Friday hours will remain 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is located at 250 W. Park Ave., Eunice.
More information is available at 337-457-8490 or at www.nps.gov/jela.
The new Saturday schedule at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is:
1 to 2 p.m. Acadiana with Kids, formerly the Explore & Restore program.
2 to 3 p.m. Cajun French Conversations.
3 to 3:30 p.m. Ranger Talk.
4 to 5 p.m. Cooking Demonstration.
6 to 7:30 p.m. Rendez-vous des Cajun with live Cajun and zydeco music.
Supervisory Park Ranger Angela Rathle said, “The National Park Service will host Rendez-vous des Cajun temporarily while the Liberty Theater has no air conditioning because we believe the program is a vital part of the cultural experience in Louisiana.”
Rathle added, “The National Park Service will pay for the bands while the show is at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center so that we can offer this great experience to the public for free.”
The Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is managed by the National Park Service as part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. The center features exhibits interpreting the culture of the Acadians who settled the prairies of southwest Louisiana. Folklife demonstrations include foodways presentations, Cajun music, dancing, quilting and other handmade crafts.
The center is closed on all federal holidays but open on Mardi Gras. Admission to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center is free and all activities and demonstrations are free and open to the public.