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This Week's Edition
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The Story Behind One of Louisiana's Greatest Traditions
If you've spent much time in Louisiana, you've probably experienced it without ever stopping to think about why it's still here. It's woven into our conversations, our music, our festivals, and even the names of the towns we call home.
Most people assume this tradition disappeared generations ago. Instead, it's still alive thanks to families, teachers, musicians, and organizations across Louisiana who continue working to preserve an important part of our heritage for future generations.
As Louisiana celebrates Bastille Day this week, there's no better time to appreciate the culture that continues to shape our food, music, language, and way of life. It's one of the many reasons our state feels unlike anywhere else in America.
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Louisiana Spotlight
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| The Story Behind One of Louisiana's Greatest Traditions
It's something you've probably heard your entire life without ever realizing how close Louisiana came to losing it. For generations, French echoed through homes, churches, dance halls, schools, and family gatherings across much of the state. Then, almost overnight, that began to change.
During much of the 20th century, many Louisiana children were discouraged—or even punished—for speaking French in school. As English became dominant, families gradually stopped passing the language to younger generations, and many feared this unique part of Louisiana's identity would disappear forever.
But Louisiana wasn't ready to let that happen. In 1968, the state created the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), an agency dedicated to preserving and promoting French through education, culture, tourism, and community programs. Today, French immersion schools, festivals, music, and cultural organizations continue that mission across the state.
Today, whether you hear French spoken in Cajun country, see bilingual signs, or enjoy a Cajun or Creole festival, you're witnessing a tradition that refused to disappear. It's more than a language—it's one of the threads that continues to make Louisiana unlike anywhere else in America.
Learn more: https://crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/codofil/ | | | |
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What's Happening in Your Area Code
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🎭 New Orleans / Kenner / Metairie - 504
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| Bastille Day Fête |
| New Orleans · July 17 |
| Celebrate Louisiana's French heritage with live music, French food, wine, and entertainment during this annual Bastille Day celebration in the French Quarter. It's one of the best weeks of the year to experience the French influence that still shapes Louisiana today.
Learn more: https://www.af-neworleans.org/ |
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| Downtown Live After Five |
| Baton Rouge |
| One of Louisiana's longest-running free outdoor concert series continues with live music, local food, and a great atmosphere along the Mississippi River.
Learn more: https://downtownbr.org/ |
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🎶 Lafayette / Acadiana Area - 337
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| Acadiana Farmers & Artisans Market |
| Lafayette |
| Shop fresh Louisiana produce, homemade foods, baked goods, and handcrafted items while supporting local farmers and small businesses.
Learn more: https://marketatmoncuspark.com/ |
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🚤 Houma / Thibodaux / Bayou Country - 985
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| Mandeville Live! Summer Concert Series |
| Mandeville |
| Enjoy a free evening of live music, local food vendors, and family-friendly fun along the Lake Pontchartrain lakefront.
Learn more: https://experienceweststtammany.com/ |
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🌲 Shreveport / North Louisiana - 318
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| Natchitoches Farmers Market |
| Natchitoches |
| Spend a Saturday morning exploring Louisiana's oldest city while shopping for fresh produce, homemade foods, local honey, and handcrafted gifts from regional vendors.
Learn more: https://www.natchitoches.com/ |
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| Louisiana Hidden Gem |
| The New Canal Lighthouse |
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| Most people have driven along Lakeshore Drive countless times without realizing one of New Orleans' most historic landmarks sits just a few steps away. Overlooking Lake Pontchartrain, the New Canal Lighthouse has quietly watched the city for nearly two centuries, surviving hurricanes, changing shorelines, and the rise and fall of the canal that once connected the lake to downtown New Orleans.
The original lighthouse was first established in 1838 to guide ships entering the New Basin Canal, one of the city's most important transportation routes during the 1800s. After being damaged by multiple hurricanes—including Katrina—the lighthouse was carefully restored and reopened as a museum, preserving an important piece of Louisiana's maritime history.
Today, visitors can explore exhibits about Lake Pontchartrain, hurricanes, coastal restoration, and New Orleans' relationship with the water. It's one of those places that even lifelong Louisianans often discover for the first time—and once you visit, you'll wonder how you ever missed it.
Learn more: https://scienceforourcoast.org/new-canal-lighthouse/ |
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| Do You Know the History of One of Louisiana's Most Common Last Names? |
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| If you've spent much time in Louisiana, chances are you've met someone with this last name. You'll find it on business signs, church rolls, school rosters, family cemeteries, and throughout Cajun Country. It's one of the surnames that has become almost synonymous with Louisiana itself.
The name traces its roots to France, arriving in Louisiana with French settlers and Acadian families who rebuilt their lives here after being expelled from present-day Canada during the 1700s. Over the generations, the family name became deeply connected to the culture, traditions, and communities of South Louisiana.
Today, the name is carried by thousands of Louisianans and is associated with educators, military leaders, athletes, musicians, public servants, and generations of families who helped shape the state's history. It's more than just a last name—it's a lasting reminder of Louisiana's French heritage. |
| The answer: Landry |
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| Louisiana Classics |
| Mandina's Restaurant |
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| Long before Mid-City became one of New Orleans' most popular neighborhoods, one family was already serving the community from the corner of Canal Street. What began as a neighborhood grocery eventually evolved into one of the city's most beloved restaurants—a place where generations of Louisianans have gathered around the table since 1932.
Founded by the Mandina family, whose roots trace back to Italian immigrants who settled in New Orleans, the restaurant became known for blending Italian recipes with the bold flavors of Creole cooking. That unique combination helped create a style of cuisine that's become a true New Orleans tradition.
Today, Mandina's is still family owned and continues serving many of the dishes that made it famous, including turtle soup, seafood gumbo, Creole eggplant, fried Gulf seafood, and classic Italian favorites. It's the kind of neighborhood restaurant where locals return year after year and visitors quickly understand why it's become a New Orleans institution.
Learn more: https://mandinasrestaurant.com |
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| Sponsored · Partner Feature |
BayouRoots |
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| Your Name. Your Louisiana Story. |
Your Last Name Has a Story.
Louisiana Knows It. |
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| No matter what your last name is — Thibodaux, Boudreaux, Fontenot, or Smith — we can trace your family's first known connection to Louisiana. |
| When did they arrive? Which parish? What brought them to the bayou country? BayouRoots pulls from historical Louisiana records to tell the story of your surname in this state. |
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"I had no idea our family came through the River parishes in the 1840s. This was a revelation."
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| Launch Offer |
| $19.99 |
| Reg. $29.99 |
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Use code at checkout:
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Another week, another reminder that Louisiana's greatest stories aren't just found in history books—they're still alive in our festivals, family names, neighborhood restaurants, and traditions that continue to be passed from one generation to the next.
Whether you're discovering something new or revisiting a favorite Louisiana tradition, we hope this week's newsletter inspires you to get out and experience a little more of what makes our state so special.
Thanks for helping keep Louisiana's stories alive.
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| Michael C. Louisiana Let's Geaux |
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