20 Most Cajun Things That Ever Happened
We were surfing through one of our favorite websites BuzzFeed.com today when we came across a list of the 29 Most Austin Things That Ever Happened. That got us to thinking...what were the most Cajun things that ever happened? After some careful deliberation, we think we've got a pretty definitive list.
20. Bobby Hebert A.K.A. the 'Cajun Cannon' Becomes Saints QB
The pride of Cut Off, Louisiana, Bobby the "Cajun Cannon" Hebert became the Saints starting QB in 1985. In 1987, Hebert led the Saints to their first winning season. Known as "That Heavenly Season" to Saints fans, New Orleans finished with a 12-3 record and a playoff birth.
These days, the "Cajun Cannon" serves as a game day broadcaster for the Saints.
19. The 'Cajun Blaze' Burger At Burger Tyme
A local food legend, the Cajun Blaze is revered to this day as one of the greatest fast food burgers of all-time. Unfortunately, Burger Tyme closed its doors for good sometime in the early to mid 90s, but the "Cajun Blaze" will forever be remembered in Acadiana folklore.
18. Adding 'Eaux' To Everything With An 'O' Sound
Cajun names like Breaux, Boudreaux, Meaux, Comeaux, and Gautreaux all have one thing in common. The iconic "eaux" spelling to represent the "o" sound. The "eaux" spelling is not without its controversy. Linguist actually debate over the origins of the Cajun "eaux" as it's only used in Cajun culture and is not present in similarly sounding French words like "chateau". Regardless of the origins, the spelling has been adopted into Cajun culture and attached to just about everything with an "eaux" sound. From "Geaux Cajuns" and "Cajun Sneaux" to Yeauxleaux, "eaux" is now as synonymous with Cajun culture as boudin and cracklin.
17. UL Builds Swamp With Alligators In Middle Of Campus
Sometimes we take it for granted that UL literally has a swamp filled with real-life alligators in the middle of their campus. That has to be one of the most Cajun things to ever happen.
16. Poo Poo Broussard
When Youtube launched in 2005, it was only a matter of time before a Cajun hero arrived. Enter Youtube's Poo Poo Broussard, the man with the bad teeth and the chapped lips.
Poo Poo doesn't make too many videos these days, but he does pop up around town from time to time. He was one of the main stars in Lafayette's Harlem Shake video.
15. Wayne Toups Appears In 1990 Super Bowl Telecast
Wayne Toups A.K.A. "Le Boss" is one of the most recognizable names in Cajun culture. Wayne's "Zydecajun" style introduced Cajun and Zydeco music to people across the world.
During the telecast of the 1990 Super Bowl, Wayne rocked a national audience after he was introduced by fellow Louisiana native Terry Bradshaw. The Wayne Toups, Terry Bradshaw, Super Bowl trifecta was one of the greatest moments in Cajun history.
14. The Turducken
The otherworldly combination of a turkey, duck, and chicken may not have originated in Louisiana, but we sure as heck perfected it.
13. The Great Boudini
For kids in Acadiana growing up in the 80s, the Great Boudini was the Cajun Mr. Rogers.
12. George Rodrigue's Blue Dog
Artist and late New Iberia, Louisiana native George Rodrigue gained notoriety for his portraits of Louisiana landscapes, however, Rodrigue's worldwide fame came when he created his iconic "Blue Dog" in the mid 1990s. Acadiana, the state of Louisiana and the art world mourned the loss George Rodrigue, who passed away December 14, 2013 after a battle with cancer.
11. Seafood During Lent
We have no way of knowing if Cajuns were present when Pope Paul VI reinstated the Church's practice of public penance in 1966, and we don't know if Cajuns were present when the Code of Cannon was revised in 1983, shaping the modern Lenten Season. What we do know is that nobody does Lent like Cajuns. Seafood on Fridays during Lent is a Cajun way of life. Crawfish on Easter is an iron-clad institution. A more Cajun Papal decree has never been issued.
[Via AmericanCatholic.org]
10. Hunter Hayes Sings 'Jambalaya' with Hank Williams, Jr.
Long before Breaux Bridge's own Hunter Hayes became a country music superstar, he joined legendary Hank Williams Jr on stage for a performance of 'Jambalaya'. The 4-year-old Hunter rocked the massive festival crowd, and the video is still talked about today.
9. The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge
Also known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge (although we've never heard anyone actually call it that before). The 18.2 mile bridge is the 14th longest bridge in the world. The bridge takes you through some of the most scenic views in all of Cajun country.
8. Fred's Lounge In Mamou
There are few more Cajun places on this planet than Fred's Lounge in Mamou, Louisiana.
According to the plaque on the wall:
11-20-46. Fred purchased Tate's Bar, now known as famous "Fred's Lounge," Mamou, Louisiana.
Fred's Lounge is a Cajun institution known for it's Saturday morning radio broadcasts. Patrons pack the bar every Saturday morning and party like every day is Mardi Gras.
7. The 'Roddie Romero Law'
Young Roddie Romero began his career as a musician at 9-years-old. Unfortunately for Roddie, this meant he wasn't old enough to get into music venues that served alcohol.
Enter the 'Roddie Romero Law'. The Louisiana legislature passed a bill that allowed minors to enter nightclubs to perform if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The bill paved the way for other young Louisiana musicians (like Hunter Hayes) to begin performing in Louisiana nightclubs long before they turned 21, and is one of the most Cajun things that ever happened.
[nola.com]
6. Drive-Thru Crawfish Restaurants
We don't know when the first drive-thru crawfish restaurant opened. We don't know where the first drive-thru crawfish restaurant opened. We just know if was one of the greatest days in the history of Cajun culture ever.
5. The Rougerou
The Rougerou (A.K.A. Rougeroo, A.K.A. Loup-garou) is a mythical (depending on who you ask) creature that lives in Louisiana swamps. The creature is said to have a human body and a wolf face, and according to my mom at least, the Rougerou eats little children who don't listen to their mommas.
4. UL Becomes The 'Ragin' Cajuns'
In 1963, USL's head football coach Russ Faulkinberry made Cajun history. He changed the school's nickname from "Bulldogs" to "Ragin' Cajuns". The name took off like wildfire. These days, "Ragin' Cajuns" is one of the most identifiable school nicknames in the country.
3. The Mysterious Legend Of The Wayne Toups Rice Festival Incident
Cajun culture is full of oral traditions and urban legends. From the Rougerou to ghost on the bayou, we've never let the truth get in the way of a good story. Considering Wayne Toup's iconic status within Cajun culture, it's no wonder an urban legend about 'Le Boss' has emerged.
The story goes that during the prime of his popularity, the Cajun crooner was released from prison to play at the Rice Festival in Crowley. After the show, Toups was escorted by police back to jail to serve out the remainder of his sentence. Like most urban legends, thousands claim they were there, but nobody took pictures.
So did it actually happen? According to our sources the myth is false, but that hasn't slowed down the passing of the legend from generation to generation. True or not, the fact that this myth actually exists is one of the most Cajun things that ever happened.
2. Troy Landry
In August of 2010, History Chanel's 'Swamp People' introduced us to an alligator hunter from Pierre Part, Louisiana named Troy Landry. Troy's charismatic personality and infectious catch phrases had people around the country shouting "chooot'em". Though Swamp People's national popularity has waned, Troy has remained a Cajun icon due to his laid back personality, his family first values, and his strong work ethic. He truly is a walking, talking, gator shooting; embodiment of all that's great about Cajun culture.
1. The Richard Lebouef 'Cajun Power' Commercials
Cajun's have been adding delicious seasoning sauces to meats since before the beginning of time. However, when Cajun singer/comedian/spokesperson/radio host/chef/renaissance man Richard Lebouef began appearing in commercials for Cajun Power Sauce, the art of seasoning sauce was forever changed.
These legendary commercials were 30 seconds of Cajun greatness. We can't even put into words how great these things were.
After a bit of research we discovered that these classic commercials still exist on VHS tapes located deep in the Cajun Power vaults, but hey, maybe, just maybe, this post will inspire them to resurface. We can only hope!
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That's our list of the 20 Most Cajun Things That Ever Happened. Now, we know we must have left a great Cajun moment or two off the list, so be sure to tell us what we missed. Also, if you saw something that made you laugh, cry, or call your momma, be sure to pass this along to your friends!