Los Isle–os Fiesta

Los Isle–os Fiesta

Late March

The Los Isleños Fiesta is held annually on a weekend in late March in Saint Bernard, La., near New Orleans, to celebrate the culture and heritage of "los isleños." This is the name given to more than 2,000 immigrants from the Canary Islands in Spain to Louisiana, and their descendants. The original settlers were sent to Louisiana from 1778 to 1783 to populate and defend the area, and many of them lived in St. Bernard.
The festival features visitors from the Canary Islands, who perform folk music and dances. Craftsmen and women are on hand to demonstrate traditional isleños crafts. Other activities include a children's area, heritage events, a mini-museum, and ethnic food and drink. In a reflection of more recent settlers to St. Bernard, the festival also includes an Irish-Italian-Isleños parade. The year 2007 marked the 31st anniversary of the celebration.

CONTACTS:
Los Isleños Heritage and Cultural Society
1357 Bayou Rd.
St. Bernard, LA 70085
504-682-0862; fax: 504-682-0862