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Contact Person: Michelle Pichon,
Louisiana Creole Heritage Center
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
318-357-6685
nspic0279@students.nsula.edu
2/1/2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - A little cold weather wasn't enough to stop crowds from enjoying the recent Eighth Annual Creole Heritage Day. Appreciative crowds attended both the opening night Zydeco concert and day-long activities at St. Augustine Church.
Representatives from the National Parks Service, the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the Louisiana Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism participated in the program.
As part of the event, the Delphin and Soraporu families were awarded plaques commemorating their efforts toward gaining national register status for structures in their communities that are significant to the Creole heritage and culture. Myra Friedman was recognized for her contribution in the establishment and the administration of the St. Matthew School of the Cane River area. Janet Colson was awarded the newly created Creole Stewardship award for her leadership and work with the Louisiana Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University.
Also announced at Creole Heritage Day was a grant of $25,000 to the Creole Heritage Center. The award was presented by John Yancy, associate regional director of natural and cultural resources for the National Park Service, Southeast Region. The grant will support a project, "The Creole Chronicles."
Guests who attended the festival came from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, New Orleans, California, Arkansas, and Alabama attended the festival, enjoying the food, music and mingling with the other guests.