Elkins and Eunice Named Honorary Sister Cities

ELKINS, W.Va. — July 10, 2026 — Mayor Jerry A. Marco today proclaimed the City of Elkins, West Virginia, and the City of Eunice, Louisiana, as Honorary Sister Cities, formally recognizing the deep cultural bonds and shared commitment to preserving traditional music, dance, and craft that unite the two communities.

The mayor signed the proclamation during the final day of the Augusta Heritage Center’s Cajun, Creole & Classic Country Week, an annual event that brings internationally acclaimed Louisiana artists to Elkins. The proclamation cites the cities’ mutual dedication to keeping living traditions alive for future generations.

“Elkins and Eunice both understand that traditional arts are not only something to read about in books, listen to on a playlist, or view in a museum. They are all living expressions of history, identity, family, and place, passed from one generation to the next through shared experiences and community participation,” the proclamation states.

A Cultural Bridge Between Appalachia and Cajun Country

Elkins, home to the Augusta Heritage Center – one of America’s premier organizations dedicated to preserving and elevating traditional arts – has long been recognized as a center for Appalachian music, dance, storytelling, and craftsmanship. Founded in 1973, the Augusta Heritage Center attracts more than 2,000 people annually for intensive week-long programs, with thousands more attending public concerts, dances, and festivals.

Eunice, Louisiana, with a population of 9,400, is world-renowned as one of the cultural hearts of Cajun and Creole music. Located near the heart of Cajun country, Eunice is home to the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center (part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve), and hosts one of the largest Courir de Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana.

“The artists, tradition bearers, and educators of both communities have enriched the cultural fabric of our nation and inspired countless musicians, dancers, and craftspeople throughout the United States and across the world,” continues the proclamation.

A Partnership Forged Through Music and Exchange

The Augusta Heritage Center’s annual Cajun, Creole & Classic Country Week, which concludes today, has been a cornerstone of this cultural exchange. The multi-day program brings master musicians and tradition bearers from Louisiana to Elkins for immersive workshops in Cajun and Creole music, including fiddling, accordion, singing, guitar, and cooking, followed by evening dances where participants learn the Cajun two-step and waltz.

Augusta’s 2026 summer program, which began July 6 with Cajun, Creole & Classic Country Week, continues through July with Blues Week (July 13-17), Old-Time Week (July 20-24), and concludes with the Augusta Festival and Craft Fair in Elkins City Park on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Augusta Festival, the grand finale to Augusta’s summer class sessions, is an annual celebration in Elkins City Park featuring a juried craft fair with 40 regional artisans, craft demonstrations, live music, workshops, jam sessions, food vendors, and children’s activities. The celebration continues into the evening with a downtown block party featuring classic country, bluegrass, and honky-tonk dancing.

A Proclamation of Friendship and Shared Values

The proclamation reiterates that both Elkins and Eunice demonstrate that investing in arts, culture, and heritage strengthens local economies, enriches civic life, and preserves traditions that might otherwise be lost.

“May this proclamation serve as a symbol of mutual respect and an invitation for continued collaboration between our communities, encouraging future generations to celebrate the traditions that unite us while honoring the unique cultural legacies each city proudly shares with the world,” the proclamation concludes.

The Honorary Sister City designation recognizes the longstanding friendships and educational opportunities fostered through the Augusta Heritage Center’s Louisiana-focused programming and celebrates the cultural ties that bind the mountains of West Virginia to the bayous of Louisiana.