Author Archives: Ian Wallis

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Announces Departure of President/CEO, Cody A. Gray

Raceland, La. (January 28, 2026) – The Board of Directors for Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT), the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, has announced the departure of longtime President/CEO, Cody A. Gray who will step down on February 20, 2026. He will leave Lafourche Parish to assume the position of Executive Director for the Columbia County Tourist Development Council in Lake City, Florida.

“Over the past six years, it has been a sincere privilege to lead Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism” said Cody A. Gray. “I have often said that moving to Lafourche Parish was the best decision I have ever made, both personally and professionally, a statement I still stand by today. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the trust and support throughout my tenure from this community. There truly is no place on earth like Lafourche Parish, and it will forever hold a very special place in my heart.”

Mr. Gray first joined Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism as Director of Sales and Marketing in April 2020 and became President/CEO in December 2020. Throughout his nearly 6 years in Lafourche Parish, Cody led the organization and Lafourche Parish through significant tourism growth amid challenges from the Covid-19 Pandemic and Hurricane Ida. He also played a significant role in the construction of a brand-new Visitor Center in Raceland, the launch of new marketing campaigns to attract further visitation to the parish, and accepted multiple awards and recognitions from state and regional tourism associations on behalf of the work done at LCBT.

Board Chair Marguerite Knight-Erwin thanked Cody for his leadership over the past years highlighting his outstanding role in guiding the Lafourche Parish Tourist Commission through new initiatives and growth.

The Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Board of Directors will conduct a thorough search to find a new tourism director for Lafourche Parish. For more information on the position, please visit lacajunbayou.com/about/careers.

LOUISIANA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION HONORS LOUISIANA’S CAJUN BAYOU TOURISM WITH 2026 LOUEY AWARD FOR CVB OF THE YEAR

Raceland, LA (January 26, 2026) – The Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) proudly introduced Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism (LCBT) as the winner of the 2026 Louey Award for CVB of the Year at its Annual Meeting in Lafayette, La. In addition, Sales & Marketing Manager, Ian Wallis, was recognized for completing the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy, a unique professional development and leadership program hosted by LTA.

The award which highlights the outstanding work done by a Convention and Visitors Bureau in the state of Louisiana was received by members of the LCBT staff including President/CEO, Cody A. Gray, Sales & Marketing Manager, Ian Wallis, Office Manager/Administrative Assistant, Brandi Hebert, and Chair of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism’s Board of Directors, Margeurite Knight Erwin. To present the Louey Award were former Parish President, Archie Chaisson, III, and President/CEO of Visit The Northshore, Donna O’Daniels.

This year, LTA celebrated excellence in the Louisiana tourism industry by presenting Louey Awards to those who have made significant contributions to promoting and enhancing Louisiana's vibrant tourism landscape. LCBT was recognized for their work throughout 2025 including the opening of a brand-new Visitor Center in Raceland, the launch of the Geaux Bold Marketing Campaign, and the significant progress made toward implementation of new wayfinding signage coming to Lafourche Parish in 2026.

“We are beyond thankful and honored to receive the 2026 Louey Award for CVB of the Year,” said Cody A. Gray, President/CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. “Our team has worked tirelessly throughout the last year to continually position Lafourche Parish as a year-round tourism destination and we are extremely proud to see our hard work recognized.”

“I am incredibly proud of the recognition earned by our organization and parish,” said Marguerite Knight-Erwin, chair of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism’s Board of Directors. “Through our creative and forward thinking, we continue to spotlight our unique Cajun culture that attracts visitors to Lafourche Parish from around the world.”

Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown Returns to Thibodaux in 2026 with National and International Roller Derby Teams

Raceland, Louisiana (January 14, 2026) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, is set to welcome 20 national and international roller derby teams at this year’s Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown. The premier tournament returns for its fourth year in Thibodaux with a full weekend of competition taking place: February 26 to March 1.

Hosted at the Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium on N. Canal Blvd, this year’s tournament features an exciting lineup of new and returning roller derby teams and three divisions of play: Main, Open, and Junior (youth). The event itself is hosted by Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors, the youth roller derby team based in Baton Rouge.

“This year marks the fourth time Lafourche Parish will host the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown, and its continued growth speaks volumes about the impact this event has on our community,” said Cody A. Gray, President/CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “Competitions like this generate meaningful visitor spending that directly supports our local businesses and jobs, while strengthening our parish’s tourism economy. We are honored to welcome national and international teams from across the globe to compete here in Thibodaux, and I invite everyone to join me in extending them a warm Cajun Bayou welcome.”

With 20 teams and competitors coming to Thibodaux, the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown is growing to become one of the largest sporting events in Lafourche Parish. It is expected to have a notable economic impact again this year. In 2025, hotel room nights in Thibodaux exceeded 500 nights booked with additional visitor spend at local restaurants, shops, and attractions.

Tickets are available for purchase and can be bought as a Single Day Pass or a Weekend Pass. More information about tickets and the tournament weekend can be found at the link below. For vendor/sponsorship opportunities, contact Kaitlyn Estes, Tournament Organizer at [email protected].

https://www.yallstars.com/

2026 Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown Participating Teams:

Main Division:
Fuego Latino
Team Philippines
API Fury
Missouri Roller Derby
Illinois-Iowa Roller Derby
Team Indigenous Rising
Black Diaspora
Jersey All Stars
Team Alaska
Bipolar Rollers
SALAAM Roller Derby
Team Desi

Open Division:
Beast Side Roller Derby
Team Badass
Team Puerto Rico
Team New York

Junior Division:
Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors
FOCO Junior Roller Derby
MARS Junior Beasts
Rampage Junior Roller Derby

4 Bold Ways to Kick Off the Year in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

New Year’s resolutions come and go … but what if this year you didn’t try to overhaul your whole life? What if you just decided to be a little bolder with how you spend your time?

That’s the idea behind our new “Geaux Bold” campaign, which puts an emphasis on embracing experiences that shake up routines and reminds you that fun doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether bold means adventure, movement, connection or flavor, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou makes it easy to say “yes!”

Here are four bold ways to kick off the year in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou:

Get Your Heart Pumping on an Airboat Tour with Arthur Matherne
If your idea of being bold involves speed and the wind in your hair, this one’s for you! An airboat tour is a front-row seat to the wild side of Lafourche Parish. You’ll glide through marshes and waterways, spot wildlife, and hear stories you won’t find in any old guidebook. It’s adventurous without being intimidating, exactly the kind of moment that sets the tone for a bold year ahead.

Stretch Your Legs on a Historic Thibodaux Walking Tour
Bold doesn’t have to mean fast-paced. Sometimes it means slowing down, getting outside and actually living in the moment. A Historic Thibodaux Walking Tour is a perfect way to move your body while soaking up the stories that shaped our charming town. From grand homes to hidden details you won’t notice from a car, it’s equal parts exercise and discovery.

Make Time for Togetherness at Bayou Country Children’s Museum
If your goal this year is to spend more quality time with the people you love, the Bayou Country Children’s Museum delivers in the best way. This hands-on space invites kids (and adults) to play and learn together … no screens required. It’s the kind of place where laughter comes easily and memories are made without trying.

Forget the Calories on the Cajun Bayou Food Trail
Some resolutions are meant to be broken, especially the ones about counting calories and eating less. The Cajun Bayou Food Trail is your official permission slip to indulge. With restaurants serving bountiful meals made from recipes that have been passed down for generations, this is bold flavor at its finest. Follow your appetite, try something you’ve never ordered before and let the bayou guide your taste buds.

Before you dive headfirst into your adventure, there’s one easy stop that helps tie it all together: our new experiential Visitor Center in Raceland. It’s the perfect place to get oriented and map out which experiences match YOUR version of bold.

Bold plans shouldn’t be intimidating. Whether you’re skimming across the bayou, strolling historic streets, making memories with family or following our food trail one bite at a time, Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou makes it easy to say “yes” to something different.

Throw Me Something, Mister! Your Family's Guide to Mardi Gras Magic on Bayou Lafourche

Laissez les bons temps rouler! If you're searching for a Mardi Gras celebration that offers all the dazzling tradition of Carnival with an extra-large serving of genuine, down-home Southern charm, look no further than Lafourche Parish. Deep in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the celebration officially begins not with a float, but with a slice of pure joy! The sweet, colorful kickoff to the season is the famous Louisiana King Cake Festival held right in Downtown Thibodaux on January 31. This beloved event holds the special distinction of being the only official king cake festival in the entire state, making it the essential gathering spot to sample all the flavors, enjoy live music and officially mark the start of the joyous season. 

More than just a sweet treat, the festival is a celebration for a good cause: it is hosted by the Lafourche Education Foundation, with proceeds helping parish public school teachers and students get the supplies they need. 

Once the king cake is officially sliced and the thousands (yes—we mean thousands) of sweet crumbs have been cleared, the parade season begins its spectacular roll! Lafourche Parish truly transforms, proudly hosting an incredible 15 different parades each year, traveling up and down the historic curves of Bayou Lafourche. While larger cities may dominate the headlines, our local celebrations focus on a wonderfully personal and truly family-friendly environment. You’ll find all the grand pomp and circumstance—the bold floats and the exciting shower of throws—but the smaller crowd size allows for a more intimate experience. Here, you don't fight massive crowds; you share smiles and shouts with the krewes as they pass by. You can experience the energy of krewes like Shaka and Ambrosia in Thibodaux, or the festive community spirit of the Krewe of Apollo in Lockport, all contributing to an atmosphere where everyone feels like a neighbor.

The sheer diversity of our parades ensures there’s a captivating spectacle for every member of the family, whether you are a seasoned reveler or experiencing your very first carnival. We proudly feature classic, traditional parades like the Krewe of Chronos and the Krewe of Cleophas, complete with magnificent, tiered floats and copious amounts of throws that soar into the air. 

But we also embrace the wonderfully unique spirit of the bayou with one-of-a-kind events held in our smaller towns, such as the fun-filled Krewe Des Couyons golf cart parade, which is often found rolling through Golden Meadow. Our calendar is packed with parades in communities all across the parish, from Thibodaux to Chackbay and Gheens, offering both brilliant, sunny day parades and the illuminated spectacle of our thrilling night parades.

So, if your family is searching for an authentically Cajun Mardi Gras adventure where the throws are plentiful, the crowds are manageable and the experience is focused on community, mark your calendar for a trip to Lafourche Parish. It's an opportunity to create cherished, close-up memories and connect with the heart of Louisiana’s carnival season. Keep an eye on our calendar for the specific routes and times for our fantastic floats this season!

For the FULL Parade Schedule, visit the link here: www.lacajunbayou.com/calendar-of-events/mardi-gras

Christmas on the Bayou: The Legend of Papa Noël

When the holiday season comes to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, it brings a touch of magic and a whole lot of Cajun spirit. While the rest of the world awaits Santa Claus and his trusty reindeer, locals look to the bayou for a different kind of holiday hero … Papa Noël!

Papa Noël is the Cajun version of Santa Claus, beloved throughout South Louisiana. His legend blends French roots and the unmistakable spirit of the bayou, resulting in a Christmas character who’s as warm and welcoming as the bonfires that greet him on Christmas Eve.

The name originated from the French version of Father Christmas, Père Noël. When the French arrived in Louisiana centuries ago, they brought their holiday customs, which slowly blended with the culture of the region to form the version of Christmas that most Cajuns know today. Papa Noël is more than just Santa with a Cajun accent; he’s a symbol of the deep roots of French culture in Louisiana.

According to Cajun lore, Papa Noël travels the bayous in a Cajun canoe (called a pirogue) that’s pulled by eight alligators. Those gators’ names vary from family to family, but the reptiles are just as beloved here as Rudolph and his friends are elsewhere in the United States.

In parts of southern Louisiana, families light towering bonfires on Christmas Eve to help guide Papa Noël and his gators through the wetlands. The glow of the flames show him where local children eagerly await his arrival.

This December, you can celebrate the season Cajun-style, with these two events that bring the legend of Papa Noël to life:

Papa Noël at the Bayou Country Children’s Museum
December 13

Meet Papa Noël himself as he brings holiday cheer to the Bayou Country Children’s Museum! Kids can enjoy seasonal crafts, caroling, a candy buffet and the magical chance to see Cajun Santa up close.

Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade
December 20

A beloved local tradition, the Golden Meadow Christmas Boat Parade lights up the bayou with twinkling lights, holiday music and festive decorations. Don’t be surprised if you see Papa Noël waving from one of the boats … after all, water is his preferred method of transportation!

From his French roots to his team of gators and pirogue gliding through moonlit waters, Papa Noel brings a special kind of joy to our part of Louisiana. This year, we invite you to celebrate the wonder of Christmas, Cajun-style.

Joyeux Noël from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou!

Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Gives Thanks

Visitors come to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou for our amazing food and unique culture, but if you ask anyone around here what truly sets us apart as a destination, they’ll tell you that the real magic is our people.

As the holiday season kicks off, we’re giving thanks to the small business owners, community leaders and residents who make our corner of Louisiana so special. Here’s what just a few of our local luminaries told us they’re grateful for this season.

Cody A. Gray, President & CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism
“This year I am thankful for our new visitor center; for the team I get to work with every day; and for the friends, family, and people who continually love me, challenge me to grow and support me.”

Kevin Clement, Mayor of Thibodaux
“This Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the people of Thibodaux …our residents, businesses and community partners who make this city such a special place to call home. I’m especially thankful for our culture that defines our community. It’s an honor to serve a city filled with so much heart, respect and pride.”

Anthony Goldsmith, Owner of Kajun Twist & Grill in Lockport
“I’m thankful for family and community. Without either, we wouldn’t be here. Both personal and work families have helped in some of the darkest moments of these last few years. And our community shows up, day after day, with their love and support. This is what I love about living on the bayou. There’s no place like it, and I love each and every one of you.”

Michael Dalmau, Owner of Cinclare in Thibodaux
“I am thankful for my family, my friends and the fun I get to have serving this community!”

Quenton Fontenot, Nicholls State University, Cajun Music Preservation Society
"There are many great aspects of our local culture, including traditional Cajun music.  I am thankful that our community embraces Cajun music and that a special part of our culture is persisting."

Across the parish, gratitude is found in every warm greeting from a passerby and every small business that opens its doors each morning. As we gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we invite locals and visitors alike to support the businesses that make Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou so uniquely its own. We encourage you to take a moment to appreciate all the people who make this place truly remarkable.

Photo Credit: Mike Glaspell

Celebrate National Gumbo Day!

This October, we’re ladling up Louisiana pride with one of the state’s most beloved and time-honored dishes – gumbo. With National Gumbo Day being celebrated this month (on October 12), there’s no better time to grab a spoon and celebrate the hearty, soulful stew that’s been bringing families and communities together here in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou for generations.

While gumbo often gets mentioned in the same breath as jambalaya – another Louisiana favorite – the two are deliciously different. Gumbo is a rich, slow-simmered stew with a roux base, often filled with chicken, sausage, seafood or (best of all) a combo of all three. It’s served over rice, not cooked with it (that’s jambalaya’s claim to fame). And though both dishes share Cajun and Creole roots, gumbo’s depth of flavor and endless variety make it a true symbol of our culinary heart.

In Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, gumbo is more than comfort food, it’s a cultural necessity that stretches back generations. Every family has its own recipe and no festival or community gathering feels complete without a bubbling pot of gumbo to bring people together. The slow, careful art of stirring the perfect roux is practically a rite of passage in families. “What sets southern Louisiana gumbo apart from the rest of the state is variety,” says Chef Anthony Goldsmith, owner/operator of Kajun Twist. “You have many families up and down the bayou cooking gumbo how their ancestors cooked it. Our family cooks gumbo the same as our matriarch, Alzina Toups … without a roux. Go a street over and that family will be cooking with a heavy roux. There’s no bad gumbo down the bayou.”

So this National Gumbo Day, we invite you to celebrate the dish that defines Louisiana comfort food. Whether you’re stirring up your grandma’s roux at home, ordering a bowl from a local restaurant or sampling different recipes at one of our many fall festivals (hint, hint), there’s no wrong way to enjoy a good gumbo. After all, down the bayou, every pot tells a story and every story tastes just a bit different.

New Tourism Campaign Urges Visitors to “Geaux Bold” in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

Raceland, Louisiana (October 1, 2025) – Today Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism announced its new tourism campaign, “Geaux Bold,” which encourages visitors to immerse themselves in a destination that doesn’t hold back and where the authentic spirit of the people who have set this region apart live an unapologetically bold approach to life.

Lafourche Parish, popularly referred to as “Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou,” is located less than an hour’s drive from New Orleans, but it’s light years away in terms of experiences. Life along Bayou Lafourche is simultaneously laid-back and full of excitement, and the bold personalities who live here are eager to introduce visitors to their unique world. It’s a cultural experience unlike anything else in the United States.

The original bold explorers were the Acadians who settled here about 250 years ago, forging a new life in the face of adversity. Their strength of character, refusal to relinquish their traditions, and ability to both work and celebrate hard are all woven into the region’s DNA.

For those unfamiliar with the term (read: those living outside Louisiana), “geaux” is a playful version of the word “go” … spelled with a French twist. It’s what you’ll hear fans screaming at sporting events throughout Louisiana, including the local university, Nicholls State, home of the Colonels.

“When deciding on a new marketing campaign, we wanted to focus on the experiences that truly resonated with our visitors and highlighted our Cajun culture,” says Ian Wallis, Sales & Marketing Manager at Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. “When we looked at everything one can do in Lafourche Parish, it was a no-brainer that the focus of the new campaign needed to emphasize the incredible amount of bold things our parish has to offer.”

To “Geaux Bold” means paddling through the untamed waterways of Bayou Lafourche, keeping an eye out for the birds above and the alligators lurking at the water’s edge, or sampling authentic Cajun dishes prepared by chefs whose recipes have been passed down from their maw maws and paw paws. It means heading to a festival, letting the music flow through you and learning how to dance like the Cajuns do, or casting a line into the Gulf and reeling in scale-tipping fish. It means celebrating Mardi Gras with people who were strangers this morning and who now feel like family, or strolling through historic sites to learn about the incredible assortment of people who came together in this unique destination to create a “cultural gumbo.”

The new campaign from Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou encourages travelers to come get a taste of both the literal and figuratively bold flavors of the bayou. All they need to pack is a sense of adventure …and probably their stretchy pants.

The new campaign brings with it updated designs for the tourism office’s visitor guide and newsletter, plus a new look for the coveted Cajun Bayou Food Trail T-shirt, which is awarded to visitors who pick up a Food Trail passport and get it stamped at any five of the 18 participating restaurants or six food-related special events.

For more information about planning a trip to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, start at www.lacajunbayou.com. And while you’re in the area, be sure to stop by the all-new Cajun Bayou Visitor Center, which offers an interactive introduction to Lafourche Parish and will help you boldly plan your visit.

Sweet Traditions: Discovering Sugarcane’s Role in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou

When you think of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, chances are that food comes to mind (and we don’t blame you). But did you know that one of the crops that has shaped our culture, our economy and even our folklore is sugarcane? Here are some fun (and sweet!) things to know about sugarcane:

Some History:
Sugarcane was first brought to Louisiana by Jesuit priests in the 1750s.

The very first crop was planted where Bourbon Street now stands in New Orleans.

Today, sugarcane is one of Louisiana’s top crops – right up there with soybeans, cotton, and rice.

Where to See it Here:
Laurel Valley Village – This is the largest surviving 19th- and 20th-century sugar plantation complex in the country. It’s still a working sugarcane farm today! Book a tour today at the link HERE!

E.D. White Historic Site – You can learn how sugarcane shaped life on the bayou in one of their many exhibits.

Bayou Country Children’s Museum – Climb aboard a sugarcane harvester and get a feel for what it would be like to be in the fields.

On Your Drive – Just cruising through our parish, you’ll spot fields of sugarcane stretching for miles. In late summer and fall, the tall green stalks line the roadways and make for the perfect “only in Louisiana” view.

Fun Facts:
Sugarcane is actually a grass plant, just much taller than what’s in your yard!

Louisiana has 22 parishes that grow sugarcane, including Lafourche Parish.

It thrives in warm, moist, tropical climates, making south Louisiana the perfect place for it.

Sugarcane isn’t just for sugar. It’s used in some medicines and biofuels. Its fibrous residue, known as bagasse, also becomes building materials, animal bedding and eco-friendly packaging.

A touch of Folklore:
Local legend says the Rougarou, a Cajun werewolf, prowls the sugarcane fields. Some say he was invented to keep kids from wandering too far into the cane.

Whether you’re here for the history, the harvest or to test your luck spotting the Rougarou, one thing’s for sure – sugarcane makes a trip to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou that much sweeter!