LCV Winter 2012 - (Page 53)

E rath is a small town surrounded by sugarcane fields and cajun character. at a time when acadiana’s native tongue is dying out with the older generation that grew up before the age of television, Erath boasts a disproportionate share of Cajun french speakers, attesting to Vermilion Parish’s description as “the most Cajun place on Earth.” Even the stop signs are bilingual, offering motorists the optional directive to “arret.” the houses are small and quaint, with chickens running around some of the yards. residents stage a five-day festival every summer to celebrate the 4th of July, replete with pageants, concerts, fireworks and spirited water fights between local fire departments. the town’s most famous resident is the irrepressible musician d.L. menard, whose up- The storm surge from Hurricane Rita swamped most of Erath as well as the sugarcane fields surrounding the Vermilion Parish town. Winter 2012-13 • Louisiana CuLturaL Vistas 53 

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LCV Winter 2012

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