For the past few years Louisiana has been solidifying its position as Hollywood South. While serving in the state Senate I was honored to author the legislation creating Louisiana’s aggressive film tax credits. Those credits and the diversity of Louisiana’s landscape make our state a perfect place to film movies and television shows.
This job sure is fun. Today I'm in New York City, where HISTORY, the network that airs Swamp People, has constructed a live authentic Louisiana Swamp in Chelsea Market. There are alligators, turtles, Cajun music by Sac au Lait, excellent food from Chef John Folse, and native vegetation everywhere. We are entertaining New York public school students before the grand opening of the swamp, and they're getting the chance to pet live alligators. Swamp People's Bruce Mitchell is on hand to hold the gators and explain how they see underwater and what they like to eat.
Being elected as lieutenant governor of Louisiana is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life and not because of the reasons that may come to your mind. It’s because of the job that I get to do every day for the next four years. A job that comes easy to me: promoting the state of Louisiana, a place I consider to be the best place on Earth.
In my inaugural address I chose to talk about the happiest place on earth and my lifetime home, Louisiana. I talked about the rich cultural history, the world-renowned music and the joie de vivre that makes Louisiana unique.
Each year the American Bus Association produces a guide of Top 100 Events in North America. Three Louisiana events made the 2012 list: The French Quarter Festival, New Orleans, April 12–15; Festival International de Louisiane, Lafayette, April 25–29; and Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, Morgan City, Aug. 30–Sept.
Yesterday I was in Jennings to participate in a press conference about the Grand Reveil Acadien which is happening across south Louisiana Oct. 7 – Oct. 16. While I was there I took the opportunity to talk about a neat project our office just completed. In conjunction with Louisiana’s 200th birthday we produced 200 Free Things to Do When You Visit Louisiana. The list features fun activities throughout the state. And the best part is it’s all free.
What a week I had last week!
I spent some time away from the capital city enjoying other parts of this great state.
Wednesday I headed up to Chatham in Jackson Parish to visit Jimmie Davis State Park. It is truly a beautiful park, and I wish I would have had more time to enjoy the fantastic sandy beach on Caney Lake. It’s also a great place for birding and cycling.
Louisianians have a passion for sports. There are many opportunities to attend sporting events throughout the year. Football season is one of the best times to visit Louisiana. The weather is magnificent and you can enjoy the best college football experiences in the world at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Louisiana's summers are a time for family, fun and festivals. My previous post detailed the Bayou Country Superfest in Baton Rouge--a festival in its second year that features the biggest names in country music. The Memorial Day weekend festival didn't disappoint; about 80,000 people enjoyed the music and fanfare in LSU's Tiger Stadium.
