Main Street Kiosks unveiled

By: Brittany Racca

Iberia Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau introduced four new interpretive kiosks, or wayfinding panels, on award-winning Main Street New Iberia for National Travel and Tourism Week.

"All of the kiosks were funded through a British Petroleum (BP) grant received by the IPCVB," said Fran Thibodeaux, executive director of the IPCVB. "We hope these panels, located at the heart of the historic district, will provide our visitors with more information on New Iberia's rich history and culture."

An interpretive kiosk was unveiled Thurs. May 8 in front of the New Iberia City Hall. The "Becoming New Iberia" panel gives a brief history of the town, and is located at the New Iberia Civic Center next to the Félicité and Henri Duperier historical marker at 457 E. Main St.

The "Shadows-on-the-Teche" panel stands in front of the Shadows Visitors Center facing the sidewalk at 320 E. Main St. The kiosk gives a short summary of the plantation home's history.

The "James Lee Burke" panel featuring the award-winning author is next to the Bayou Teche Museum in the Sliman Theater parking lot facing the Main Street sidewalk at 131 E. Main St. The panel features some of Burke's famous Dave Robicheaux novels, as well as a biography of the writer.

Finally, the "Walk of Faith" panel features New Iberia's historic churches and a brief background about each. The panel is stationed next to the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, located at 303 W. Main St., and faces Jefferson Street.