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SOUTH LOUISIANA FAMILY REUNION
THE BROUSSARD FAMILY REUNION
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I've partied with the best of them, but "chere" let me tell you, you have not partied until you party with this family. Remember, Cajun people love hard, work hard and play hard, there is very little middle ground. They are a friend for life or not. This is just the way they are, you don't have to wonder where they are coming from, they tell you. I like that, it is the way I am, what you see if what you get and there "ain't no mo".
My understanding is that the Broussard Family Reunion officially started 30 years ago, but when the patriarch, Jules, was alive and well, they got together almost every Sunday for lunch at the home of Jules and Amy. It is one of those
"Cajun" things about family being the center of the universe. We love to have family get togethers and enjoy each other, for who knows what tomorrow will bring, so seize the day!
Some of the family laughs about how the Reunion has grown, not only in numbers but in the number of days of celebration. It used to be just the Sunday that they would gather for the day. Bringing covered dishes and visiting for the whole day. Then they started a Saturday night dance. They have always started the weekend off with Mass on Saturday afternoon. The next step was something on Saturday night, and that is when the Saturday Night Dance was instituted. Sometimes they have a band, and sometimes a D.J.. It just depends on the money in the "kitty".
Then the 1st cousins decided they wanted to get together for a luncheon (a smaller gathering and more time for individual visiting). Thus started the "Friday First Cousins Luncheon", which is held at a different cousins home each year. As the years went on, the "Thursday Night Supper" came into being, no reason, just anxious to get the visiting started. It is held at the same site the reunion is held. There is an RV park there and some cabins too. Sooooo they all gather on Thursday nights now and the party begins.
Some of the cousins, aunts & uncles remember when for one reason or another, the party can very well begin on Monday and continue through Sunday. It can very well start over again on Monday when everyone shows up to clean the grounds and camp that has been used.
This family loves hard, works hard, and plays even harder. They never meet a stranger and welcome guests like they are one of the family. If you have never been to Southwest Louisiana, come, you will never forget the people. You may forget some of the sites you've seem, but, my friend, you will not forget the Cajuns and their love for life.
I haven't included any recipes with this "On Location" yet. The Family has promised to get some to me real soon. I will let you know when I am publishing one of their recipes. |
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