We have made it to August! It is that time of year when the temps are still in full-time summer mode, and we are counting down the days to the fall season, eagerly awaiting the cooler temperatures to arrive in New Iberia.
These are the dog days of summer and most families in New Iberia, Abbeville, Franklin, and Breaux Bridge are getting ready to head back to school, shopping for school supplies, preparing with their older children as they head off for college, and of course, for south Louisiana residents, we are preparing for the active part of hurricane season. Even though August brings many important responsibilities for families in New Iberia, there are still several events and holidays to recognize and celebrate this month with your family and friends.
Here are 8 holidays, events, and celebrations to recognize with your friends and family this month:
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World Breast Feeding Week
Aug. 1-7
First off this month: Let's raise a toast to all the moms out there with their amazing breastfeeding skills! World Breastfeeding Week, supported by UNICEF and the World Health Organization in more than 120 countries, was created with the goal of providing support for breastfeeding moms everywhere. The theme for 2023 is Let's make breastfeeding and work, work! which focuses on promoting better support for parents in the workplace.
Iberia Parish Medical Center offers classes for parents in New Iberia that cover breastfeeding and newborn tips. Be sure to share this with any new mother's in your life.
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National Farmworker Appreciation Day
August 6
We love our farmers in New Iberia. Today is the day to tell our local farmers Thank You! Whether they are farming crawfish, soybeans, rice, or sugarcane, residents throughout Acadiana appreciate all of the hard work and dedication our farmers give on a daily basis.
The Teche Growers Association was established to support farmers and their businesses throughout southern Louisiana including those in Iberia, St. Mary, St. Martin, Lafayette and Vermillion parishes. Connect with them for resources, events, and support for our local farmers.
New Iberia will also celebrate our local farmer's at The 80th Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival this September in downtown New Iberia. The event set to feature our local farmers in appreciation parades, and include a street fair, Fais Do Do, a 5K Run and so much more.
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National Book Lovers Day
August 9
That's right, it's the time of the year for all book nerds to unite! Start a book club with some friends or join a club at one of our local libraries. Make plans to spend the day at your favorite local bookstore, download a audio book, or re-read one of you favorite classics. Old books and magazines make great tools to create some crafty projects with the kids too.
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National Acadian Day
August 15
There is so much to celebrate on this day in Acadiana! This national holiday is celebrated in Canada to recognize the culture, contributions, and diversity of the Acadians to their community. In Louisiana, or Cajun Country as we are now known, we too celebrate the Acadians, or Cajuns, by cooking our favorite Cajun dishes, enjoying a Fais Do Do, or brushing up on our Cajun French speaking skills.
This year, for the first time ever, on National Acadian Day, the 9th Annual Fete Dieu du Teche South boat procession will be traveling along Bayou Teche from Franklin to New Iberia with stops in Baldwin, Charenton, and Jeanerette, ending at City Park in New Iberia. The annual boat procession honors the 258th anniversary of the arrival of the Acadians as well as the Catholic feast day of the Consecration of the Church of the Assumption.
Vermilionville will also celebrate with their annual Acadian Culture Day with free entry on Sunday, August 13, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Watch cooking demonstrations, dance the day away in the music hall, listen to local storytellers and artisans as they share their knowledge of our Cajun culture.
Did you also know that we have The Acadian Museum at The St. Martinville Cultural Heritage Center? Tour the museum, learn more about the arrival of the Acadians, get support to help trace your Acadian genealogy, and so much more. Be sure to schedule a visit soon!
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National Non Profit Day
August 17
Get the whole family involved on this day by volunteering today with your favorite non profit in Acadiana. You can also volunteer, donate, or become a member of The ARC of Acadiana, based in New Iberia. One of my favorite volunteer experiences was reading with local youth through the United Way of Acadiana. I looked forward to meeting with my kids each week to sit down and read a good story or two.
Find ways to get involved at local food pantries, organize or donate to a local school supply drive, or get trained for disaster assistance protocols for the upcoming hurricane season. Find out how you can get involved at https://volunteerlouisiana.gov/.
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Pluto Demoted Day
August 24
Pluto, you'll always be in our hearts! This is a day for all science geeks and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) advocates to celebrate.
In 2006 the International Astronomical Union voted to change what defines a planet and ultimately downgraded Pluto to a dwarf planet. Take time to explore space together with your kids and check out the jaw-dropping pics from the James Webb Space Telescope. Follow the telescope and its latest images on NASA's site.
You can also find one of our fun science based crafts on our website to get creative with the kids by typing STEM or STEAM in the search bar here.
 Image by Mia Barletto |
National Dog Day
August 26
We love our fur-babies and this is the day to celebrate them! They love us unconditionally, cheer us up when we are down, and make us laugh at some of the antics they seem to get themselves into! I know I am not the only one watching funny dog videos on TikTok at night, right?
Bring your fur-babies to the dog park at City Park in New Iberia, schedule a doggy play date with friends, or support one of our local animal shelters like Animals of IPAC, Angel Paws Adoption Center, or the Friends of St. Martin Shelter.
Louisiana Spirits will be holding the first ever para-con, Cajun Country Para Con, in New Iberia on March 23, 2024 with a portion of the proceeds going to Angel Paws Adoption Center. Get involved as a sponsor or a vendor today to help support the animals of Iberia Parish and also help make this a successful, annual event for our community.
 Image via Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Facebook Page |
National Petroleum Day
August 27
In this part of Louisiana no one bats an eye at the festival that celebrates petroleum... and shrimp! National Petroleum Day was created in 1936 to honor and raise awareness for the importance of this natural resource. Read more about the discover of petroleum and its uses on National Today.
In Morgan City, The 88th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is set to kick off on August 31, 2023 and run through Labor Day weekend with live music, pageants, parades, and art show and so much more! Find out about all the events happening this weekend at this year's festival to celebrate this holiday.
Celebrate this August with Macaroni KID New Iberia! |
Macaroni KID New Iberia loves sharing all the news, events, and local celebrations that include all families in and around New Iberia!
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