FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2020
(Opelousas, LA) – The City of Opelousas continues its celebration with the burial of a time capsule in recognition of its 300th anniversary year. Mayor Alsandor, City of Opelousas officials, and Celebrate 300 Opelousas Committee sealed the time capsule at a special ceremony on Saturday, November 14th. The City of Opelousas held the ceremony on the side of Opelousas City Hall, located at 105 Main Street. The capsule will be sealed for 50 years and opened by future city officials and citizens in 2070.
The concept behind the project is to preserve a piece of the present for the future. The time capsule contents include messages for the future such as letters from Mayor Julius Alsandor, Fire Chief Charles Mason, Sheriff Bobby Guidroz, and other local officials, and letters from various local organizations like Chamber of Commerce, Daughters of the American Revolution, Epsilon Alpha Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., I-49 Riders, Opelousas Little Theatre, Rotary Club of Opelousas Sunrise, St. Landry Parish Veterans Memorial and more. Public high schools and private schools such as Magnet Academy for Cultural Arts, Opelousas Catholic School, and Westminster Christian Academy also included letters. The City of Opelousas also incorporated memorabilia related to events and activities in 2020, such as a mask from Dr. Carmen Johnson. “This time capsule will give those in the future a glimpse of Opelousas in 2020,” said Mayor Alsandor.
At the event, the Opelousas Kiwanis Club members offered keepsake photos to families in attendance, which were placed inside mini time capsule containers that were provided. During the event, Opelousas Mayor Alsandor presented Sheriff Bobby Guidroz with a badge that belonged to Former Sheriff Adler Ledoux, which was in the time capsule of 1970. The Opelousas Kiwanis Club made a special birthday presentation to the city. Super One Foods in Opelousas donated the birthday cake. Donald Lalonde with B & D Marble and Granite donated a headstone to be placed on top of the sealed time capsule.
On Sunday, November 15th, the City of Opelousas also held a Community Peace Picnic was at the South City Park to further the celebration. The event, which is a Celebrate Opelousas 300 activity, was organized by the St. Landry Parish Ministerial Alliance. “We gather to share thoughts and values and understanding that a community that stands together will definitely flourish together,” said Mayor Julius Alsandor.
For more information, contact tourism@cityofopelousas.com.
Last modified: November 18, 2020