Calendar

 

 

 

 

LAFAYETTE  INTERNATIONAL
CENTER  CALENDAR

 

 

 

 revised 9-21-2023

 

 

 

SEPTEMBER

 

 

Fêtes de Wallonie—100th anniversary

Sep 9-18 | Namur, Belgium

      Since 1923, these festivals have celebrated patriotism and pride in the French-speaking Walloon region of Belgium.  While these celebrations take place in many areas in this southern region of the country, they are particularly successful in Lafayette’s sister city of Namur, where more than 250,000 people gravitate during the weekend. Several days of street performances, a battle of the famous “Echasseurs” stilt-walkers, performances of folklore singers and dancers, and programming aimed at visitors of all ages, with all of downtown Namur turned into a pedestrian fair.

      For further information, visit http://www.namurtourisme.be/en

  

 

BICENTENNIAL   Local Palooza Mercredi Show

Wednesday, September 27 | Carencro

       Part of a 3-day celebration of local music and culture:  Swamp Pop music Revue to celebrate a music genre that has had national influence.

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL   Local Palooza Rhythms on the River

Thursday, September 28 | River Ranch

      Part of a 3-day Celebration of local music and culture: Rock Revue featuring Zach Edwards & The Medicine and then CC Adcock & The Lafayette Marquis with special guests: Ray Boudreaux, Michael Juan Nunez, members of the Good Dudes and more!

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL  Local Palooza Downtown Alive!

Friday, September 29 | Downtown Lafayette

      Celebration of local Cajun and Zydeco music featuring Roddie Romero & The Hub City All-Stars with special guests: Sonny Landreth, Michael Doucet, Steve Riley, Dickie Landry, Geno Delafose, Feufollet, Corey Ledet, Jourdan Thibodeaux, Bonsoir Catin and more!

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Bayou Vermilionville Festival and Boat Parade

Saturday, September 30 | Vermilionville | Lafayette

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

 

 

 

 

october 2023

 

 

BICENTENNIAL SugarMan Triathlon and Duathlon

Sunday, October 1 | Sugar Mill Pond | Youngsville

      USAT Certified event. This is an outstanding race for spectators, with a centralized transition area offering a great view of the final 1/2-mile of the run around the lake to the dockside finish. Bring your friends and family and have them cheer you through the final stretch.

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

BICENTENNIAL   Latin Music Festival 2023 —21st Festival

Friday, October 6 | 5:45 – 9:00 PM | Parc International, downtown Lafayette

      This Festival is organized and presented by the Asociación Cultural Latino-Acadiana (ACLA), with the assistance of Downtown Alive! and Festival International. ACLA is a volunteer organization at the service of the Acadiana community in general and its Latin American members in particular. ACLA offers the family-friendly Latin Music Festival and other programs to promote multiculturalism and preserve Latin heritage. Their objective is to promote among its members and their families the fundamental values of our community: GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY and FRIENDS, while preserving our heritage.

      They work to assist all immigrants of Latin descent residing in Acadiana, regardless of place of origin and religion, to orient and make them aware of existing resources; facilitate learning the language, their obligations and rights; facilitate educational, employment and business opportunities, as well as the procurement of services; so as to developing responsible and productive community members. 

  

 

Acadiana Cup Golf Exchange 2023    The 22nd annual tournament.

Oct 8-13  |  Lafayette, Louisiana

      The Acadiana Cup golf tournament was created in 1998, in Lafayette, Louisiana, in a spirit of friendly competition between Lafayette and her sister city of Poitiers, France. In the five years that followed, players were added from Namur (Belgium), Moncton (New Brunswick, Canada), Nîmes (France) and Prince Edward Island (Canada). Hosting the tournament rotates among the member cities, with the location alternating between North America and Europe.

      The Lafayette team will host the 2023 tournament, which will be held in Lafayette for the first time in thirteen years.

      Contact Bob Hardy for details, bobhardy627@yahoo.com  

  

 

 

Shallow and Deepwater Expo—trade show to Mexico

Oct 10-12 | Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico. 

      Shallow & Deepwater Mexico will address exploratory perspectives, operations and services in the Gulf of Mexico. Industry professionals will meet with the Louisiana delegation and share their knowledge, experience, and ideas to improve the profitability of shallow and deepwater projects in the Gulf of Mexico. www.shallowanddeepwaterexpo.com/en/ 

      Contact: Christophe Pilut for details.  337-291-5474 CLPilut@LafayetteLA.gov

  

 

2023 General Assembly, AIMF (International Association of French-Speaking Mayors)

Oct 11-14 | Cotonou, Benin

       This year’s General Assembly will be held in the African country of Benin, on the theme of “Art and Urban Cultures: Factors and Challenges for regional development.”

       Contact: Dave Domingue for details.  337-291-5474 dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov

  

 

BICENTENNIAL Festivals Acadiens et Créoles

Oct 13-15 l Girard Park, Lafayette, Louisiana

      The first Tribute to Cajun Music in 1974 took Cajun and Creole music out of the dancehalls and onto a concert stage. Forty-three years later, the tribute has grown into a three-day celebration of music, food, art, crafts, museum exhibits, symposiums, film screenings, and more. It is a giant among Lafayette’s festivals, attracting people of all ages, and of many different nationalities from all over the world. Admission is free.

      For details, visit https://www.festivalsacadiens.com/

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Little Amal

Wednesday, Oct 18 l 6:00 PM | Parc International, Lafayette, Louisiana

      Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, spreading her story of hope as she discovers the beating heart of America, its blended culture and diverse people. Sights and sounds by Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra, Acadiana Talent Youth Actors Troupe, Brandon Broussard, Coco Tribe of Canneci Tinne, Corey Ledet, Fire Expressions Performing Arts Conservatory, Riley Family Band, Soul Express Brass Band, and The Magnolia Sisters will be among those welcoming Amal to Acadiana.

      Her route will take her from the ACA to Jefferson Street, up to Congress (Science Museum corner), turning down Congress to Polk, and up Polk to Parc International.

      For details, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1405804856666270/

  

 

 

Export-Import Bank of the US (EXIM Bank) Annual Conference 2023

Oct. 19-20 | Washington, DC. 

      EXIM is an independent federal agency that fills gaps in private export finance, in order to bolster US job growth at no cost to American taxpayers. EXIM provides trade financing solutions—including export credit insurance, working capital guarantees, and guarantees of commercial loans to foreign buyers—to empower exporters of US goods and services.

      Contact: Christophe Pilut for details.  337-291-5474 CLPilut@LafayetteLA.gov

  

 

Franco-Fête 2023 Fundraising luncheon for scholarship program of CODOFIL

Sunday, Oct 22 | Petroleum Club of Lafayette (Ballrooom)

      Each year, Franco-Fête raises funds to support French education in Louisiana, especially through La Fondation Louisiane’s “Escadrille Louisiane” scholarship program which allows dozens of Louisiana students to study in France (Brittany, Martinique, and Guadeloupe), before pursuing careers as teachers in immersion schools across the State.

      The program will also feature the presentation of the “Marquis de La Fayette 2022” award.  In attendance will be numerous CODOFIL partners, Louisiana senators and representatives, local elected officials, entrepreneurs, university professors and other officials.

      For details, contact Dave Domingue: dadomingue@LafayetteLA.gov or 337-291-5474

  

 

 

 

 

 

NOVEMber

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Native American Culture Day

Saturday, November 11 l Vermilionville, Lafayette, Louisiana

      Each year we host our Native American Culture Day in November, the focus of which is to celebrate the rich history and modern culture of the tribes and tribal communities whose lands fall within the boundaries of Louisiana.  Tribes from across the state will come to share their stories, music, drumming, dance, crafts, language, and culture.  Our theme for our Culture Days this cycle deals with family in folklore:  Although the word ‘family’ has different meanings in different groups, and it’s been through many changes over time, the family has always been an essential part of the cultural story.”  All of the many people of Louisiana’s tribes are welcome, and in the past we’ve hosted:

     Atakapa-Ishak Nation, Avogel Tribe of Louisiana, Canneci N’de band of Lipan Apache, Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Isle de Jean Charles Band of Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw, Louisiana Atakapa Tribe, Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribe, and United Houma Nation.

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Veteran’s Day Parade

Saturday, November 11 l Downtown Lafayette

      Join us as we honor our veterans with a Veteran's parade downtown that ends at Parc International. Afterwards at Cite des Arts, there will be a discussion with interviewer & historian, Jason Theriot, about his interviews with the French speaking WWII veterans from Acadiana. That will be followed by a showing of "Mon Cher Camarade", a film that tells the story of these soldiers whose knowledge of French helped the US army in Europe.

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

 

International Workboat Show 2023

Nov 29 – Dec. 1 | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA

      The International WorkBoat Show is a trade-only conference and expo for commercial

vessel owners, operators and builders as well as the vendors and suppliers that serve them.

      Visit https://www.workboatshow.com/ or contact: Christophe Pilut for details.  337-291-5474 CLPilut@LafayetteLA.gov

  

 

 

 

 

 

decEMber

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Christmas Through the Centuries

Dec  2-23 l Acadian Village | Lafayette

      Noël Acadien Au Village. Acadian Village, Lafayette. 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm. $10 at the gate; $8 in advance. Festival fundraiser with half a million lights, displays, food, entertainment, and holiday shopping.

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Christmas Tree Bicentennial Decoration Competition

TBD l Downtown Lafayette

      Christmas tree decorating competition in Downtown Lafayette. Businesses, families, organizations, and creative individuals from around Acadiana will compete in a friendly contest to see who can decorate the most impressive tree of Christmas.

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Old Time Winter Traditions

Dec 12-13 l Vermilionville | Lafayette

      Vermilionville’s historic village brings to life the holiday traditions of yesteryear. Visitors young and old are invited to sing Christmas carols, listen to storytelling, decorate cookies, make bousillage ornaments, view the decorations in the village, vote for their People’s Choice in the Gingerbread House Contest thru December 16th and much more. Vermilionville’s artisans will be on hand to demonstrate winter traditions of the Acadian, Creole and Native American cultures such as open hearth cooking demonstrations and making candles, soap, natural decorations, and citrus pomanders. Children will enjoy writing letters to Papa Noël, and can even meet the French Santa Claus himself, who was actually a trapper that would deliver presents such as candy, money and small toys. We will also have animal feed for sale, so that guests can enjoy feeding our Provence donkey and three Gulf Coast Native sheep. Vermilionville’s restaurant, La Cuisine de Maman, will also be open for regular business hours that day, offering Cajun and Creole favorite plate lunches as well as a full menu of other items.

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

 

BICENTENNIAL Old Time Winter Family Day

Saturday, December 16 l Vermilionville | Lafayette

      Contact Sami Parbhoo for details, 337-291-5474;  separbhoo@LafayetteLA.gov.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

International Achievement Award

The International Achievement Award was created in 1998, and is presented by the Lafayette International Center and its advisory board, the Lafayette International Center Foundation. It is designed to honor an individual, organization or company that has significantly enhanced Acadiana’s international reputation. Each nominee must be a United States citizen or a permanent resident of the United States, with preference given to residents of Acadiana or residents of Louisiana. As the Lafayette  International Center is a trade development organization, primary consideration is accorded to individuals whose activities have helped draw economic benefits to the Lafayette area.
 
Seminar Series
 
The Lafayette International Center conducts an on-going series of seminars throughout the year, geared to the needs of internationally active companies and entrepreneurs. Past seminars have included: “International Sales and Distribution Agreements" with Mr. Patrick Fazzone, "The Laws of International Trade" with Mr. Alan Beard, "How to do Business with PEMEX", "The Secrets of Successful Trade Financing” and the "Import/Export Seminar."
 
International Trade Club Series
 
The International Trade Club has no membership fees or dues, is open to anyone interested in topics related to the global marketplace, and meets at different times and locations for a breakfast, lunch or late afternoon presentation. Recent presentations have included: "Business Opportunities: Macaé & Campos Basin" and "Brazil & Opportunities for the Oil & Gas Industry in UAE, Azerbaijan & Venezuela."
 
Trade Missions
 
The Lafayette International Center sponsors trade missions in conjunction with international trade and economic development agencies from throughout Louisiana. Recent trade missions included the XV Latin American Petroleum Show in Maracaibo, Venezuela and Port of Spain, Trinidad, the Rio Oil and Gas Expo & Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the Acadiana Cup golf exchange held in Lafayette and various cities of Belgium, Canada, France and Spain.

 

​ 



The Lafayette International Center
735 Jefferson Street
Lafayette, LA 70501
Tel: 1-337-291-5474
Fax: 1-337-291-5480

e-mail: info@leCentre.org