‘If HeadStones Could Talk’ will take place Friday in Abbeville

This Friday, Nov. 14, Abbeville Main Street will host its 8th annual “If Headstones Could Talk” Cemetery Tour.
The tour is a living history presentation of the Old Catholic Cemetery located behind St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in historic downtown. Tours will begin leave at 5:30 p.m. from the gazebo in Magdalen Square
“Because we have two historic cemeteries in our downtown we alternate between the Masonic Cemetery and the Old Catholic Cemetery,” Abbeville Main Street Manager Charlene Beckett explained.
A script has been produced and tour guides will lead visitors through the cemetery where the “residents” in period costumes will talk about their life and death. The list of “residents” and those playing in parenthesis include:
Mrs. Edward Broussard (Ali Miller)
Euphemie Broussard (Victoria Schriefer)
Mr. Eugene Addison (Gale Luquette)
Mrs. Leonce Perret (Rebecca Shirley)
Mrs. Hollier Feray (Peggy Ashley)
Fr. Edmund Daull (Jude Broussard)
Ambrose Mouton (Tony Mayard)
Mrs. Robert Smith (Dianne Moss)
Irene Frederick (Amelia Garbo)
“The walking tour is planned so you can get an educational yet entertaining look in to the lives of the movers and shakers of Abbeville and Vermilion Parish in the late 1800s and early 1900s,” Beckett said. “You may want to spend time with Mr. Eugene Addison, or Mrs. Leonce Perret or maybe have a chat with Fr. Edmond Daull. There are so many interesting stories told by Mrs. Victoria Feray. Mrs. Edward Theophile Broussard and Mrs. Robert Smith, ‘residents’, said although they are used to the cold they advised that we be sure to bundle up as they tour the cemetery.”
Music will be produced by Jennifer Melancon, with Johnny Luquette providing the singing. Serving as tour guides will be Anna Edwards, Eileen Boudoin and John Boudoin.
The tour begins in the gazebo located in Magdalen Square at 5:30 p.m. and every half hour till 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Depot or call Main Street 337-652-2239.
“It is a great event for locals as well as tourist because they can come on the tour, dine in our restaurants and learn a little something about the past,” Vermilion Parish Tourist Commission Director Ali Miller said.