• Family affair: Acadians begin their celebration 
• Friendly people make heat more bearable
• Canadians make trek to Louisiana
• Oh, Canada! 
• Acadians rediscover 'cousins' at Mass 
• Acadians honor Native Americans who helped them 
• Congrès spirit not dampened
• Congrès Mondial Acadien - Day 2
• Acadian fest ties threads of history

             HOUMA - The Canadians landed Saturday in Houma, jumping from
             the hazy skies above the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center from a
             C-115 Buffalo aircraft to begin the largest reunion of the Acadian
             people since the exile in 1755.

             But that was only practice for Sunday's opening ceremonies, which
             were rained out in classic Louisiana summer thunderstorm style.

             Unlike the forced march to decrepit boats 250 years ago, Acadians
             from Nova Scotia arrived here voluntarily to help celebrate
             Congrès Mondial Acadien - Louisiane 1999, the second gathering of
             Acadians this century.

             Legendary Cajun musician Vin Bruce and L.J. Foret were
             scheduled to perform their magic on the large crowd. They were to
             be followed by Bois Joli and Les Mechants Maquereaux, both
             Canadian bands, then by Deuce of Hearts.

             But a thunderstorm loaded with lightning began threatening from
             the east. Rain began to fall, accompanied by 25-mph wind gusts,
             about an hour after the ceremony began. As of 10 p.m., the outcome
             of the outdoor event was undetermined, although skies were
             beginning to clear.

             Waylon Thibodeaux and Jo-El Sonnier were scheduled to take the
             stage later in the evening. Thibodeaux's official theme song of
             Congrès, Si longtemps separe, will be reprised many times,
             however, before Congrès is over Aug. 15.

             Congrès is anticipated to be the largest reunion of the Acadian
             people since the British exile of 1755, when English troops
             deported them from their homeland in the Canadian Maritimes.

             The first congrès took place in Nova Scotia in 1994, drawing
             200,000 people. "Je suis acadien" - I am an Acadian - was the
             theme then, and that theme was brought full circle at Sunday's
             celebration.

             The opening weekend of Congres has been a joyous reunion of
             cousins so long separated -- si longtemps separe, in the words of
             Thibodeaux's song.

             From attendance figures this weekend, the expectation of large
             crowds is coming to pass.

             The Henry/Surette family reunions in Houma drew 350 people to the
             East Park Recreation Center, while in Bourg along Bayou Caillou
             the Bourg/Bourque reunion organizers estimated 700 people
             showed up from 15 states and three Canadian provinces.

             The Theriot/Crochet family reunions on Bayou Dularge in Theriot
             attracted 600 people. The Naquin/Viator reunion in Montegut had
             about 300 people in attendance, according to organizers there.

             Earlier Sunday, Congres kicked off carnival style with a street
             festival in downtown Houma along Bayou Terrebonne. Cajun and
             zydeco music, traditional South Louisiana food -- and a taste of
             Mardi Gras with the Krewe of Terreanians on a parade float giving
             lessons to visitors from the north to the tune of "Throw me
             something, mister!"