Shaking Out the Good Stuff – Milestone for Festivals Acadiens

When the community-minded leadership of Morton Salt's Weeks Island, Louisiana facility first approached us with an idea to "shake out the good stuff" about what's right in Acadiana we just weren't aware of how many good, no great, things were happening in the Louisiana parishes that makeup the geographic entity known as "Acadiana".

In addition to the sheer volume of community events that Shaking Out the Good Stuff has reported to you over the years, we're also finding out that most of these events have a tradition that's rich in history and founded in the values and virtues that are indicative of the "Cajun" lifestyle. 

And if ever there was an event that brought all things "Cajun" and "Creole" together in one place, that would be Festivals Acadiens et Creoles. This week marks a very special milestone for that event and the culture that the event spotlights, shares, and hopes to preserve for future generations.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the event that evolved and grew into the Festivals Acadiens et Creoles that we have come to know. The "Tribute to Cajun Music" was held at Lafayette, Louisiana's Blackham Coliseum on March 26, 1974.

The musical lineup for that first event included the Balfa Brothers, Nathan Abshire, Dennis McGee, Marc Savoy, the Ardoin Family, and Clifton Chenier. 50 years later, their children and families continue to grace the stages of Festivals Acadiens et Créole.

Dr. Barry Ancelet and Keith Cravey planned and produced that first event to bring awareness to the CODOFIL movement in South Louisiana. CODOFIL is the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. Mission Accomplished.

Festivals Acadiens et Creoles is the world's largest festival dedicated to the preservation and procreation of Cajun and Creole culture in the world. It all started with the idea that teaching our kids our heritage through music, food, stories, and art is a great way to ensure that this culture and its heritage will survive for generations to come.

Festivals Acadiens et Créoles is slated for October 11-13, 2024, and has a lineup of events and celebrations planned throughout the year. Among those events are a 50th Anniversary Book Release, a Photography Exhibit, and a 50th Anniversary Symposium.

Morton Salt, Weeks Island facility is proud to have played a part in Louisiana's cultural revival and restoration through the years. By supporting community events in cities large and small Morton Salt has made sure that there is plenty of "Good Stuff" to shake out about who we are and where we live.

If you'd be interested in joining a company that cares about the community the way Morton Salt's Weeks Island plant does you'll be pleased to hear they are hiring. There are some incredible positions available with great pay, and great benefits, and you get to sleep in your own bed every night.

You can learn more about those positions, here.

And if you have an idea for the Shaking Out the Good Stuff spotlight, let us know. We'd be honored to share your story of how life in Louisiana is made better when we season it with history and culture and maybe some Cajun music too.