vermilionville earth day festival


This past Sunday was the annual Earth Day festival at Vermilionville, put on by Bayou Vermilion District. While the festival itself was held despite pouring rains the night before and morning of, many of the exhibitors canceled on attending, so what was left was more of a Vermilionville tour. It still made for a unique Sunday afternoon, though.

This local farmer talked about growing his own food and the numerous benefits of eating and purchasing local foods. I believe the plants picture above grow broccoli. There were a few farmer's market vendors at the festival, and a few vendors selling handmade soaps, candles and greeting cards.


Lafayette Consolidated Government was there, showing plans on bike lanes and systems, and promoting the importance of the in-progress Lafayette Comprehensive Plan. 



Vermilionville is one of those places that just about every local school child goes on a field trip. It's different to attend on your own as an adult, because you look at it through different eyes. What I loved about Sunday's trip was just getting to wander around this small replica Acadian village and immersing myself in the history of the Acadians.

The Acadians were a very resilient group of people, first moving to the area after being deported from Nova Scotia hundreds of years ago. They lived off the land down here and settled into their way of life.  "Being green" can be such a hot debate these days, as many people don't open their eyes enough to see the reason for it. But in history, people didn't have to change their ways to be green - they simply already were. There were no other options. No plastic bags to waste; no cars to drive; no one-time packaging to throw away. They grew their own food, they raised their own animals for meat, they used everything over and over again. It was much more simplistic without all the modern day "convenience" (aka disposable) items.


This quick ferry ride takes passengers from one side of Vermilionville to the other, instead of taking the sidewalk back. And there is no fuel or energy used in its operations. The ferry is simply connected to each side of the swamp via ropes. Once you board the ferry, one person grabs the rope and pulls the whole thing to the other side, then you get off. It may have been a one-minute trip, but it was fun!



Pack and Paddle was also at the festival, and they had two canoes available for canoe rides around the swamp. My boyfriend and I decided to go for a spin, and we safely made it without falling in! Canoe and pirogue trips were common around here because of the abundance of waterways. You can't get much more eco friendly transportation than a simple boat with two oars. I even helped to paddle!



In the pavilion area, local bands were playing and food and drinks were being sold.


So even though the Earth Day festival aspect of the trip was kind of a bust, the Vermilionville trip was a lovely way to spend a spring Sunday afternoon. The scenery was extra green, thanks to the spring rains. You can't really fault nature for wanting to have a part in an Earth Day event, I suppose.

Milo also wanted to get in on the fun and wants to tell y'all hello!



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