ST. LANDRY PARISH — History is coming alive this weekend in Opelousas — literally.

The St. Landry Catholic Church Cemetery, one of the oldest in Louisiana, will once again open its gates for its annual cemetery tours, offering visitors a chance to step back in time and meet the historical figures who helped shape St. Landry Parish.

For more than two decades, locals like James Douget and Etha Simien have been dressing up in period attire, portraying real people from Opelousas’ past. It’s a unique way to teach history — and maybe even a little French — in a place most wouldn’t expect.

“We don’t try to frighten people,” Douget said. “We try to teach people about their local history.” This year’s tour features several new stories, including that of Marie Collins Latrapes, born in 1919, who

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