Memorial Day Weekend Happenings

As the crisis in the Gulf of Mexico continues and the beginning of hurricane season looms, the information our visitors receive from us must be accurate and concise.  We learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that the news can be sensationalized and rumors will run rampant regardless of their accuracy.  So here are some facts to share:

• Much of the Louisiana Gulf Coast is unaffected by the oil spill and remains open for commercial and recreational fishing. All nine Louisiana coastal parishes continue to offer travelers historic and cultural attractions, world-acclaimed indigenous food and music, and notable restaurants and overnight accommodations.
• Louisiana crawfish are a freshwater shellfish species and all commercial crawfish ponds and natural habitat are inland and away from threatened areas.
• Few affected areas are near inhabited areas. New Orleans is approximately 100 miles inland from affected areas and foresees no disruption in guest service or any negative impacts on visitors.
• As of May 24, affected coastal areas and some areas of uncertainty had been closed to fishing by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in portions of Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Mary, Terrebonne and Vermilion parishes. Officials on Grand Isle also closed its public beach.
• The Louisiana Office of Tourism posts daily updates on the oil spill at http://www.louisianatravel.com/oil-spill-response
• You can also find up-to-date information, along with links to other resources such as volunteer opportunities, at http://emergency.louisiana.gov/ and at http://louisianacoast.audubon.org/

Now for what’s happening closer to home:

Farmer’s Market

Yes, it’s that time again.  The Feliciana Farmer’s Market opens this Thursday, May 27, with new hours to avoid the hottest part of the day – 9 am until 1 pm – at the old 4-H Barn on Wilcox Street.  Please support our local farmers and buy home grown produce for a healthier family.

West Feliciana Memorial Weekend Classic

This event will be held this weekend, May 29 and 30, and is billed as an event for cyclists of all ages and stages.  Beginning on Saturday, May 29, there is a time trial set to begin at 8 am from Hemingbough, and is a 36-mile road race that should conclude about noon.  Saturday afternoon at 1 pm, the criterium begins next to Grandmother’s Buttons on Royal Street, and cyclists will have a grueling down-the-hill then up-the-hill course.  This will be an exciting spectator event so stake out your space along the route.

On Sunday, May 30, an 80.6 mile race through the parish will begin in stages from 8 am until 11 am from Bains Elementary on Bains Road.  These hard core racers should be back at the start by about 2 pm, and this is another race that will be fun to spectate along the course.  Also beginning at 8 am and throughout the day, there will be riders coming and going through the main entrance to the West Feliciana Sports Park.  There will also be a mountain bike race on the grueling “Beast” Trail at the Sports Park.  Music and food will begin at 11 am for the Festival for All, a free cycling festival that will feature bicycle polo, trick riding, bike safety demonstrations, and bicycle decorating for the kids.  Bike shops will be showing bikes, gear, apparel, and accessories, and offering advice and on-the-spot tuneups.  The winners of the race will be announced at around 4 pm.  For more information, visit www.westfelclassic.org.

Music at The Mag

This Friday features The Delta Drifters on the screened porch beginning at 7 pm.

At the Library

The summer Reading Program kicks off on June 1 with storyteller Sherry Norfolk at 9:30 am at the West Feliciana Parish Library on Ferdinand Street.  Sherry tells folktales from around the world, using storytelling to teach universal values and promote environmental awareness.  For more information on this and all the summer activities at the library, phone 225-635-3364.

Heirloom Plants and Flowers

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site continues the Spring and Summer gardening seasons with a horticultural seminar held on the plantation grounds.  On Saturday, June 12, Site Manager Patricia Aleshire will present a seminar on “Heirloom Plants and Flowers.”  The lecture session will present a slide introduction and discussion of the historical background of numerous antique plantings available for modern gardens.  Also discussed will be various cultivation tips, techniques and care needed for these heirloom plantings to thrive in a southern garden.  Following the lecture, Aleshire will lead a walking tour through selected areas of Rosedown’s historic gardens to view various antique plants on site.  The program will being at 10 am in the Rosedown Conference Room.  For more information, call 225-635-3110.

The Day the War Stopped

This annual event re-enacts the poignant moment during the Civil War when soldiers laid down their arms to bury one of their brothers.   Held June 11 through 13, the weekend begins with graveside histories at Grace Church on Friday, June 11 at 7 pm, followed at 8 pm with historical presentations at the Masonic Lodge across the street.  Events continue on Saturday, June 12 with a parade at 11 am in downtown St. Francisville, followed by lunch at the Masonic Lodge from 11 am to 12:30 pm.  A concert of vintage music is at 11:30 am at Jackson Hall, with vintage dancers at 12:30 pm.  The drama and re-enactment of the burial for Commander John Hart begins at 1:30 pm.  For more information, phone 225-635-4791 or visit www.daythewarstopped.net.

Civil War at Audubon

The Day the War Stopped events continue when Audubon State Historic Site hosts a Civil War encampment on Saturday, June 12, from 2:30 pm until 5 pm.  There will also be black powder and musket demonstrations at 3 pm, a program on Civil War costumes at 4 pm, with Civil War dancers from 6 pm to 8 pm.  The day ends with candlelight tours of Oakley House from 7:30 pm until 9 pm.  For more information, phone 225-635-3739.

Continues on Sunday

Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site will feature burial techniques in a Civil War medical demonstration on Sunday, June 13, from 1 pm until 3 pm.  Meanwhile at Audubon State Historic Site, a talk on Sara Knox Taylor Davis will take place at 1 pm, with a Civil War demonstration from 2 pm until 4 pm.  For more information on all The Day the War Stopped events, phone 225-635-4791 or visit www.daythewarstopped.net.

That’s all for this week.  Please take time to remember why we recognize Memorial Day as we pause to thank those members of all branches of the military who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today in this, the greatest country in the world.