The City of Opelousas continued its extended tricentennial celebration Sunday with a picnic.
The Celebrate 300 Community Peace Picnic was held this afternoon at South City Park.
The St. Landry Parish Ministerial Alliance, in conjunction with the City of Opelousas, hosted the event.
"We got snacks, we got entertainment, we got refreshments. We also got the walking trail that recently opened. And you could also get some exercise while you are out here. But also just coming together just to sit down and talk and minister with each other. To share each others thoughts and values. And understanding that a community that stands together will definitely flourish together going forward," said Mayor Julius Alsandor.
Yesterday, a new time capsule was buried. The capsule is filled with various objects, artifacts, and documents that chronicle life in the year 2020. It was buried at Opelousas City Hall Saturday, and it won't be seen again until the year 2070.
Saturday's celebration is just one of the events held this year for the city's tricentennial, or 300th anniversary. Earlier this year, a time capsule was unveiled from the year 1970, with artifacts including letters, a pamphlet from the Woman's Service League, handkerchiefs, and a compact mirror.
To read more about the year-long celebration and the oral history project that's underway, click here.
"We're trying to generate a unit of people coming together, talking to each other, trying to get past the obstacles we've been faced with. It's been a turbulent year and very challenging year for all of us, with the pandemic and the many things we've had to confront," the mayor said. "But through all of this, God has to be a part of this. When he's a part of your life, anything is possible."
Alsandor thanked Yvonne Normand and her committee for their hard work in putting together the event.
"It's about everybody coming together. There's so much divisiveness in our country today. Things like this can bring us back to what's really and truly important: better things for us as a community, a city, as churches," Alsandor said.
