• The grand finale
• Melançon name made a mark on Acadiana
• On final evening, 'tout le monde et Cajun' 
• Acadian Congress Closes
• Cajundome concert closes Congrès Mondial 
• Distant Descendants of the Acadians Get Together in Louisiana

             LAFAYETTE - Thousands of concert-goers from Canada and
             Acadiana crowded the Cajundome Sunday for the closing of
             Congrès Mondial Acadien and one last day of cultural exchange.

             The Cri du Bayou concert featured local musicians Beausoleil,
             Balfa Toujours, Geno Delafose, Feufollet, Zachary Richard, Steve
             Riley and the Mamou Playboys and Waylon Thibodaux, who played
             his Congrès signature song "Si Longtemps Separe."

             The Canadian groups Blou and Suroit also played for the crowd.
             Debbie Girourd, of Youngsville, said she went to the concert not
             only to hear Beausoleil and Steve Riley, a couple of her favorites,
             but also to listen to the Canadian groups.

             "I'm interested to hear the bands from Canada to compare them to
             our bands," she said.

             The Cri du Bayou was a highlight of New Brunswick, Canada,
             native Ernest Cormier's bus trip through Acadiana.

             "Three years ago, in New Brunswick, Waylon Thibodaux came up to
             a bluegrass concert we had," he said. "That is the main reason I
             wanted to come tonight is to listen to Waylon."

             The main entrance was filled with people more than an hour before
             the music started, some sporting small flags of Canada and
             Acadiana in their hats, and others wearing larger flags as capes.

             As many people could be heard chatting or calling out in French as
             in English as they milled about picking up souvenirs, making
             acquaintances or stocking up on food and drinks.

             The random motion ceased as soon as the first fiddle notes could
             be heard in the lobby, and the concert-goers began moving toward
             their seats with a purpose.
             The musical finale was the icing on the cake of Congrès, said Kay
             Broussard of Lafayette.

             "These will be memories for a very long time," she said.

             Jim Burnett, of Baton Rouge, said Congrès in general, and the Cri
             du Bayou specifically, was a great chance for the people of
             Louisiana to compare cultural notes with their northern
             counterparts.

             "It's kind of a rare event that they have this kind of gathering of
             Canadians and 
             South Louisianians," he said.

             For his part, Cormier said he had found at least one thing he liked
             about Acadiana and Lafayette before he even got to the concert.

             "The local Cajuns don't speak French, but they have the French
             accent, which is quite cute," he said.