Marquis' Birthday Celebration Sept. 6 - 09/05/2007

As part of Lafayette's year-long commemoration of the remarkable life of its namesake, the General and Marquis de La Fayette, the Marquis' birthday will be celebrated with a special ceremony at City-Parish Hall at noon on Thursday, Sept. 6.

Music for the ceremony will be provided by the University Wind Ensemble, which will play French music from the Marquis' time period and American music from colonial days, as well as the national anthems of both France and the United States.

The highlight of the ceremony will be the unveiling and rededication of the statue of the Marquis de La Fayette by Charles Correia, which has been refurbished and moved to a more prominent location near the entrance to City-Parish Hall.

Invited as special guests for the crermony are members of the 1984 Lafayette Centennial Commission, who will be asked to assist in unveiling the statue. Former Lafayette Mayor Dud Lastrapes will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the event, which will also feature a special appearance by the Marquis de La Fayette himself.

Visiting dignitaties will also be in attendance at this event, inlcuding the Count de Lafayette, and Major General Landreneau, Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard, who will represent Lieutenant General Honore and accept a special presnetation on this behalf.

Following the ceremony, there will be a special showing in the Ted A. Ardoin Council Auditorium of the documentary produced by the UL Cinematic Arts Workshop about the Marquis de La Fayette. A reception will follow in the Atrium of City-Parish Hall.