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2024 Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown to Welcome National and International Roller Derby Teams to Thibodaux

2024 Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown to Welcome National and International Roller Derby Teams to Thibodaux

Raceland, Louisiana (January 25, 2024)Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, the destination management organization for Lafourche Parish, is set to welcome 20 national and international teams at this year’s Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown, an elite roller derby competition coming to Thibodaux. The premier tournament makes its return the weekend of February 22-25, 2024 following its success in 2023.

Hosted at the Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium on N. Canal Blvd. in Thibodaux, this year’s tournament features an expanded lineup of new and returning roller derby teams, an additional day of competition, and three divisions of play: Women’s, Open, and Junior. The event itself is hosted as part of a joint effort by Big Easy Roller Derby out of New Orleans and Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors, the youth roller derby team based in Baton Rouge.

“We are thrilled to welcome the return of the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown to Lafourche Parish for its second year” said President/CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, Cody A. Gray. “Events like this bring in significant economic impact to our parish, while directly supporting local businesses and jobs. We look forward to extending a warm welcome to the visiting teams and sharing our unapologetically Cajun culture with them.”

With its increased number of teams and competitors, 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 with over 400 hotel room nights anticipated, an estimated 1,200 - 1,700 meals consumed at local restaurants, and additional visitor spend at local attractions and shops in Lafourche Parish.

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].

YAllstars.com

Participating Teams:


Sip Your Way Through Mardi Gras with these Cocktails and Drinks!

Sip Your Way Through Mardi Gras with these Cocktails and Drinks!

Let the good times roll! It is Mardi Gras season down in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou and the party is already in full swing. Through February 13, there will be plenty to celebrate, between the numerous parades, King Cake Festival and tasty Carnival-themed treats found around town.

This year, Mardi Gras enthusiasts will also be able to enjoy a “Second Line” beverage trail through the parish. With nearly ten stops, there are plenty of opportunities to get your Carnival drink on! As an added bonus, a percentage of each themed drink purchased will go toward the Lafourche Education Foundation, the organizers of the now-legendary Bayou King Cake Festival.

Here are some of the cocktails being offered for the Second Line, along with a description of the featured beverage:

Beck’s: Mardi Pardi Punch 
4293 LA-1, Raceland
This colorful cocktail blends vodka, Blue Curacao, grenadine and sweetener, all under a sugared rim. It’s best enjoyed with a side of live music.

Big Mikes BBQ: King Cake Shot
120 Laura Drive, Thibodaux
Need to order something that keeps your trail time down? Stop into Big Mikes for a quick King Cake Shot. Fifolet rum, RumChata, whipped cream and a Mardi Gras-colored sugar rim come together for the perfect shot. If you prefer to take your time at each stop, stay for a while and enjoy their king cake bread pudding.

Cinclare: Too many to name!
601 W 3rd Street, Thibodaux
This bistro is going all out for the Second Line, with four different cocktail options named after local krewes. The Shaka Mama (rum, Ancho Reyes Chili Liquer, Orgeat, pineapple, lime), Chronos Carre (Rittenhouse Rye, cognac, cacao-infused vermouth, Benedictine, Ristretto), Cleophas Courir (ginger spice-infused vodka, blackberry preserves, lime) and Ambrosia Maid (cranberry-infused vodka, Ruby Port, Noilly Rouge, pomegranate, ginger ale) – we’ll take one of each, please!

Cuvee: King Cake Colada
116 Rue Angelique, Thibodaux
This drink is comprised of 504 King Cake spiced rum, pineapple juice and orgeat syrup. It pairs well with Cuvee’s mini sweet potato king cakes.

Fremin’s Restaurant: King Cake Martini - (Pictured Above)
402 W. 3rd Street, Thibodaux

This restaurant specializes in Cajun-inspired Italian and American dishes, all of which are best enjoyed with their seasonal King Cake Martini. Caramel vodka, RumChata, butterscotch schnapps, house-made cream cheese syrup and a tiny baby floating on top of a whipped cream topping complete this glass of sweetness!

Grady V’s: Les Bons Temps Tini
900 Country Club Boulevard, Thibodaux

Stop in for a king cake burger or king cake bread pudding and top off your festive meal with the Les Bon Temps Tini. Made with Skyy Espresso vodka, Baileys, RumChata, Frangelico and a sugar rim, this tasty take on an espresso martini is the perfect complement to the restaurant’s other Mardi Gras offerings.

Spahr’s Seafood: The King Cake Russian
All three locations – in Thibodaux, Des Allemands and Galliano
While most people head to Spahr’s during Carnival season to enjoy their legendary king cake beignets, the restaurants’ King Cake Russian cocktail is this season’s drink of choice!

Come on down and enjoy all the flavors of Mardi Gras with the Lafourche Education Foundation's Second Line trail this Carnival season. Cheers!


How to be King of King Cake this Mardi Gras Season!

How to be King of King Cake this Mardi Gras Season!

It’s January, so … ‘tis the season in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. Carnival season, that is! This year, Mardi Gras is on Tuesday, February 13th. Though the big day is still a few weeks away, festivities are already in full swing. One of the best ways to get into the spirit is by indulging in a seasonal treat.

To everyone up and down the Bayou, king cakes are an integral part of Mardi Gras. This colorful confection is the iconic culinary symbol of the Carnival season … with good reason!

Named for the three kings (or wise men) who brought gifts to baby Jesus, the king cake tradition is thought to be brought to Louisiana from France in the 19th century. The cinnamon pastry ring is commonly topped with white icing and decked out in three different colored sugars: purple, which symbolizes justice; gold, which represents power; and green for faith. Watch that dental work, because the cakes come with a plastic baby tucked somewhere in them. The “winner” – whoever gets the baby in their piece – is responsible for providing the next king cake!

Though some bakers sell the beloved cakes year-round (adjusting flavors and colors for the various holidays), consumption skyrockets during Carnival season. Here are some places up and down Bayou Lafourche where you can find a tasty king cake:

Ninette’s Cake Shop
1050 S. Acadia Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301
985-447-1714

The Willow Café
713 West Third Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
985-448-0444

Mudbug Brewery
1878 LA-3185, Thibodaux, LA, 70301
985-492-1610
Note: Not your typical King Cake - Enjoy their King Cake Ale!

Duet’s Bakery
18134 W Main St, Cut Off, LA, 70354
985-6326954

Cajun Pecan House
14808 W. Main Street, Cut Off, LA 70345
985-632-2337
Note: They ship nationwide!

If you’ve worked your way through all the bakeries and still can’t get enough of this sugary Mardi Gras dessert, you’ll want to mark your calendar for the Bayou King Cake Festival, which will be held in downtown Thibodaux on Saturday, January 27th. Attendees can sample king cakes baked by local bakeries, restaurants and even home cooks and vote for their favorite. The event will give you plenty of opportunities to scout out who makes the best on the Bayou … and map your route to their store, or figure out how to get invited to their home for a great party! It’s never too early to plan ahead when king cake is involved.

King cakes are an important part of the culture in Louisiana, especially along Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, because they represent how the traditions of the Acadian French – or Cajun – people have become indelibly linked to life in the state of Louisiana. The cake’s name and back story is deeply rooted in the Cajuns’ Catholic faith, but the simple act of enjoying a piece of cake is something everyone can do. The fact that cakes can be shipped to friends and family all around the country ensures that Mardi Gras joy isn’t limited to Louisiana … though the cake sure does seem to taste better when you eat it here!

We hope your Mardi Gras is as amazing as a slab of king cake!


Chef Brent Daigle of Grady V’s Named One of Seventeen Participating Chefs at 2023 Louisiana Goes Lone Star Culinary Event

Chef Brent Daigle of Grady V’s Named One of Seventeen Participating Chefs at 2023 Louisiana Goes Lone Star Culinary Event

Raceland, Louisiana (October 16, 2023) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, announced Monday that Chef Brent Daigle of Grady V’s in Thibodaux has been selected to represent Lafourche Parish at the “Louisiana Goes Lone Star” culinary event in Dallas, Texas. Chef Brent Daigle, a graduate of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University, will join 16 other top chefs from around Louisiana to feature the state’s unique flavors.

This annual out-of-state culinary event will be presented by the Louisiana Travel Association, the Louisiana Office of Tourism and the Louisiana Seafood Promotion & Marketing Board, with Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou a first-time participant. Taking place in Dallas this year, “Louisiana Goes Lone Star” is a two-day culinary showcase consisting of a Media/Influencer Preview Night on Tuesday, October 24 and a Restaurant Takeover Night on Wednesday, October 25.

For Restaurant Takeover Night, Chef Brent Daigle will be paired with Chef Arturo Cruz of Dodie’s Reef, a popular Cajun restaurant located in the Lower Greenville neighborhood of Dallas. The two chefs will combine efforts on a Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou-themed menu featuring Grady V’s favorites like the blue crab beignets, bayou red fish, and a banana’s foster tres leches cake. Visitors, locals and anyone interested in attending this special one-night-only dinner, should call Dodie’s Reef at 214-823-7333 and make their reservation for the night of Wednesday, October 25.

Boasting an exciting food and beverage scene, Dallas is an important regional market to Louisiana and this event offers a savory opportunity to showcase the diverse and delicious delights of the State. The events over the course of the showcase will allow the culinary scene of Lafourche Parish to be told in a targeted market and inspire both travelers and the media to get a taste for what awaits across the Texas-Louisiana border.

“Food is a way of life in Louisiana. We plan our festivals and events around the culinary seasons and we are excited to bring a taste to Dallas next month,” says Louisiana Travel Association president and CEO, Chris Landry. “As a neighboring state, destinations around Louisiana are a short drive or direct flight from Dallas. We are excited to have 17 Louisiana chefs in restaurants around the city to whet locals’ appetites and inspire them to make Louisiana their next travel destination.” 

Other participating chefs include:

Angel Lombrage, The Bullfish Bistro, Baton Rouge
Ross Dover, Palmettos on the Bayou, The Northshore
Owen Hohl, Hot Tails Restaurants, Louisiana
Holly Goetting, Charley G’s, Lafayette
Anthony Felan, Fat Calf Brasserie, Shreveport-Bossier
Frederic Terluin, Rouj Creole, Baton Rouge
Richard & Lori Hurst, Poor Boy’s Riverside Inn, Lafayette
Keith & Nealy Frentz, LOLA, The Northshore
Damien “Chapeaux” Chapman, Orlandeaux’s Café, Shreveport-Bossier
Ana Castro, Lengua Madre, New Orleans
Lyle Broussard, L’Auberge Casino Resort, Lake Charles
Cory Bahr, Parish Restaurant, Monroe-West Monroe
Jeremy Langlois, Latil’s Landing at Houmas House, Ascension Parish
Jason Derouen, Bayou Country Crawfish Trail, Houma
Desi Bourgeois, Grown and Grazed, Ruston
Grayling Thibodeaux, St. John Restaurant, St. Martin Parish

For more information on the event, visit: https://www.louisianagoeslonestar.com/


Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice: Check out our Fall Food & Drink Specials!

Pumpkin spice and everything nice – that’s what fall is made of! The restaurants in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou have geared up for a mouthwatering fall season, offering a delectable array of special food and beverage menu items. Here are some of the places where you can experience the flavors of fall up and down the Bayou:

Big Mike’s BBQ

All month long, this smokehouse is giving people “pumpkin to talk about” with their Oktoberfest boo-ze options. A lengthy list of German beer has come to play, along with jumbo Bavarian pretzels and Schwenker pork chops.

CherAmie’s

Nothing screams fall like apples, cranberries and walnuts, which you’ll find featured in several of CherAmie’s dishes in Cut Off. Want a drink to go along with it? Their October drink special is a salted caramel martini!

Cinclare

Their new seasonal menu is out and though you won’t find pumpkin spice anywhere on it, you’ll find other flavors of fall, especially in their popular brown butter pecan blondie. With maple vanilla marshmallow, candied bacon and buttermilk caramel, your taste buds may just decide that pumpkin spice is a thing of the past.

Cuvee

This beloved wine bar just released an unbe-leaf-able fall cocktail lineup, including an apple pie Moscow mule and a tiramisu espresso martini. Any cocktail pairs well with their seasonal lobster bisque, the perfect dish to get you into the sweater weather spirit. a full list of their cocktail specials can be found HERE.

Grady V’s

Their Hocus Pocus float is sure to put a spell on you (it features pumpkin spice RumChata,) but the real slay is their Buffy the Vampire Slayer Burger. Pepperjack cheese, roasted garlic aioli, a sunny side up egg, angus patty and a garlic butter roll pierced by a wooden stake will have even the bravest vampires running for the hills … and diners running for a breath mint.

Spahr’s Seafood

Though Sphar’s is known for their catfish chips, this month, pumpkin pie bread pudding and a purple rain cocktail are the wonder-fall stars of their seasonal menu.

You can’t talk about fall food in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou without mentioning the iconic festivals that take place at this time of year, like the Louisiana Gumbo Festival in Chackbay. From October 13-15, you have the chance to indulge in delicious gumbo while celebrating fall and Cajun culture.

As autumn unfolds, Louisiana's Cajun Bayou invites foodies from near and far to experience the cuisine that helps make the parish and its Cajun Bayou Food Trail so legendary. Whether it's exploring the local year-round flavors or indulging in a restaurant's seasonal menu, you’re in for a treat … and the only trick will be getting your pants to button after lunch.


Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Wins Shining Example Award from Southeast Tourism Society

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Wins Shining Example Award from Southeast Tourism Society

Raceland, Louisiana (September 29, 2023) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, announced Friday they were a recipient of a Shining Example Award for Best Marketing from the Southeast Tourism Society (STS). Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou was selected among nominations from several destinations across the Southeast, and were on hand to receive the award at the STS Connections Conference in Jackson, MS on Wednesday night.

The award recognizes the “You Gotta Try This!” campaign which was launched by Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou in April 2022. The campaign aimed to promote the unique and flavorful culinary scene in Lafourche Parish, and was supported through targeted digital and print media, social media, and public relations outreach.

“We are very thankful to be recognized on a regional level for our marketing efforts over the last year for the “You Gotta Try This” campaign” said President/CEO Cody A. Gray. “We are always encouraging people to wander off the eatin’ path while visiting Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, and are appreciative of all of our tourism partners who helped us achieve this award.”

The tourism office worked with several restaurants and tourism partners up and down the bayou to collect new photo and video assets, and this year relaunched their Cajun Bayou Food Trail with the addition of three new Food Trail restaurants and a new Food Trail T-shirt.

For more information about Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, visit their website at lacajunbayou.com. For more information about the Southeast Tourism Society, visit their website at southeasttourism.org.


It's Fall Y'all! Come Celebrate our Upcoming Events in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou!

It's Fall Y'all! Come Celebrate our Upcoming Events in Louisiana's Cajun Bayou!

It’s fall, y’all … which means that festival season is in full swing in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou. We’re back this season with many of the same festivals that everyone already knows and loves – such as the French Food Festival, Acadia Music Fest (Pictured above), La Fete Des Vieux Temps and more! You won't be-leaf what is happening this Fall, so come join us and check out below what else is happening up and down the bayou:

La Fete des Vieux Temps
October 6-8

Immerse yourself in authentic Cajun culture with the “Festival of Old Times,” an event featuring tasty Cajun food (as if there’s any other kind), music, dancing, and an arts-and-crafts show. Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism now oversee events at the Lafourche Pavilion, so (not to be biased) this year’s event is sure to be the best one yet!

Louisiana Gumbo Festival
October 13-15

Do you prefer your gumbo with sausage? Or perhaps with chicken? Maybe seafood? Whatever your preference, come enjoy authentic gumbo made from scratch at the Louisiana Gumbo Festival, along with live music and demonstrations. Nearly 500 gallons of gumbo will be made throughout the weekend, so come hungry!
Coco’s 10th Birthday Carnival
October 21

Oh, snap! It’s the 10th birthday of Coco, the gator mascot for the Bayou County Children’s Museum. Grab the kids and celebrate big top-style with carnival rides and games, hot air balloon rides and more. See you and your enfants there later, alligator!

Monsters on Main
October 27

Bring your little ghosts and ghouls to Downtown Thibodaux for a fun evening of free trick-or-treating with participating businesses.

French Food Festival
October 27-29

We hope you’ve got some stretchy pants, because this festival celebrates local dishes influenced by both the French and Cajun cultures. Sample the various dishes while taking in the live music … but be sure to not eat so much that you can’t join in the dancing. The festival received a 2022 Lafourche Parish Bayou Ambassador Award and was named the parish’s 2022 Event of the Year, so come see what the buzz is all about.

Acadia Music Fest
October 28

Local, national and international artists come together on one day in Thibodaux for the Acadia Music Fest. This year, the festival is headlined by Marcus King with appearances by Better Than Ezra, Niko Moon and more. Check out the lineup below and get your tickets by visiting the link HERE.
BBQ, Bourbon & Blues Festival
November 4

Enjoy the finer things in life with the first annual BBQ, Bourbon & Blues Festival … and by “finer things,” we mean great food, great drinks and great music. Just $10 gets you admission to the festival (and plenty of BBQ joints selling everything from pork to chicken to brisket), and an additional $100 admission (for those 18 and older, of course!) provides entry to the bourbon tasting area, where bourbon lovers get a commemorative glass and tastings from more than 30 vendors.

Big Boys Main St. Cook Off
November 10

As a kickoff to Thibodeauxville Fall Festival weekend, dozens of chefs gather in Downtown Thibodaux to compete in a cook-off that showcases Cajun cuisine with local ingredients straight from the bayou. Your $10 admission gets you access to free samples from the cook-off teams and local entertainment as you partake in a true Southern block party. Check out what this festival is all about HERE!

Thibodeauxville Fall Festival
November 11

People come from all over to enjoy good Cajun food, art vendors, live music, a car show and the famous rubber duck race at this free festival. Check out what the festival is all about HERE!

We are fall about a good time, so let festival season commence. It’s time to get your Cajun on!

(Photo Credit: Kyle Valdez)


Louisiana's Cajun Bayou Tourism Welcomes New Office/Finance Manager

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism Welcomes New Office/Finance Manager

Raceland, Louisiana (September 26, 2023) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism, the destination marketing organization for Lafourche Parish, welcomed its new Office/Finance Manager this month in the hiring of Brandi Hebert.

Hebert fills a position that had been vacated since late August and will play a crucial part of the Cajun Bayou Tourism team moving forward. Tasked with managing all office and finance matters, Brandi will also take on the handling of the Lafourche Pavilion and will work with the local organizations who hold their events there.

“We are very excited to have Brandi join our close-knit family here at Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism” says President/CEO Cody A. Gray. “Her experience made her a stand-out candidate for the position and I am confident she will grow into a leader for our organization.”

Brandi is a local of Lafourche Parish and is a proud resident of Bayou Blue. She brings 12 years of finance and office management experience making her a perfect fit for the position. Outside of her professional ambitions, Brandi is also a loving mother and spends her free time camping, cooking up Cajun food, and watching her favorite football team.

“I am looking forward to working with our local businesses and learning more about the hidden gems within Lafourche Parish” says Hebert. “I am excited for the new relationships with my team and welcome all the exciting experiences to come.”


Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Announces Return of Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown in 2024

Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Announces Return of Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown in 2024

Raceland, Louisiana (August, 22, 2023) – Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, the destination management organization for Lafourche Parish, announced they have once again been selected as the host of the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown, a premier roller derby tournament composed of teams from across the United States. Following its inaugural success in 2023, the competition will make its return to Warren J. Harang Auditorium in Thibodaux the weekend of February 22-25, 2024.

The event will be hosted as part of a joint effort from Team Louisiana Roller Derby, the state’s collective all-star roller derby team, and Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors, the Baton Rouge-based youth roller derby team. In early 2023, the City of Thibodaux welcomed nearly 500 participating athletes, coaches, and officials, making it one of the largest events to take place in Lafourche Parish.

The economic impact for the City of Thibodaux from the 2023 tournament resulted in 400 room nights at local hotels and Airbnb’s. It is also estimated over 900 meals were consumed at local restaurants, and additional visitor spending was made at local attractions and shops in the community.

“After a successful first year, we are excited to see the return of the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown to Thibodaux” said President & CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, Cody A. Gray. “Events like these bring in visitors from across the country and provide significant economic activity in our parish. We sincerely appreciate the tournament organizers for choosing Lafourche Parish to host their exciting event for the second year in a row.”

Details about the 2024 tournament including the announcement of the teams competing, the competition format, ticket information and more will be coming soon! For further information about the Y’Allstars Southern Skate Showdown, visit their website linked below. For vendor/sponsorship opportunities, contact Kaitlyn Estes, Tournament Organizer at [email protected].

https://www.yallstars.com/ 


Our Photos @lacajunbayou