SHORT END OF THE STICK

By Angela Couch, As The Crow Flies,
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AsTheCrowFlies/147636581936823
Special to Louisiana Trekker

Louisiana must truly be the festivities and celebrations capital of the United States. We do love to party don't we.  Festivals, concerts, art exhibits, museums, historial places, community events, food extravaganzas, musical concerts, sports and the list goes on and on. You can always find information about some event in Louisiana in speciality magazines, newspapers, on the radio and TV and on the web.

There are a number of internet sites created especially to share information about Louisiana happenings.  There is a nice listing of events in our state government's travel and tourism web site which lists many festivals and events for the whole year.  We have several well known Louisiana travel sites that contain events calendars. Major newspaper sites usually carry a listing of events local to their coverage area. Some personal sites also post upcoming events for our state.

I have canvassed a number of travel and tourism web sites specifically for the state of Louisiana.   In my  research, I googled for every site I could find that offered an events calendar for Louisiana.  There is no shortage of things to do in our state.  Louisiana is called the Sportsman's Paradise for good reason, for there are plenty of fishing and hunting opportunities here.  To augment the outdoor sportsman's love for the outdoors, there is the added thrill of fishing tournaments,  hunters courses, conventions, festivals, boat shows, gun and knives shows, wild game cooking classes just to name a few.  In addition, sports of almost every description, from Little League Ball to the Saints, and from roller skating to boat and car races can be found here.

There is a festival or celebration for nearly every type of food and concoction native to Louisiana.  There are many sites that report on cook-offs, food fests and the like for the state of Louisiana. 

For a softer side of things to do, there are always beauty pageants, music or dance recitals, and talent competitions.  Perhaps you lean toward literary diversions, the theater, or concert performances.  If it's music you like, you can find a potpourri of styles in an assortment of venues. There is no shortage of events to announce.

There is no shortage of opportunity to learn about our friends and neighbors with the gumbo of cultures we have in Louisiana. There are cultural exhibits, handcrafted artistry, folklife displays and museums that share our cultural diversity.

Unfortunately, my research has shown that in spite of an abundance of events that need to be publicized, north central Louisiana gets the short end of the stick. In my internet searches and some hard copy publication investigations, I have discovered that the number of listed events for north central Louisiana are not proportional as compared with our neighbors to the south.

Since I have created an events list for north/central Louisiana at
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AsTheCrowFlies/147636581936823 , I have contiually searched for and posted hundreds of events in the north/central Louisiana coverage area of As The Crow Flies.  My purpose is to draw attention to this lack of publicity for north/central Louisiana and to perhaps find a workable solution.

I want to know that we are getting our fair share of  promotion which ultimately includes
recognition, resources and not least of all, tourism dollars.  Most non-government sites that share a calendar usually claim to be representing the whole state, though I have found this is not the case. But you would think that our state government listings would have a more balanced representation.

From our very own state of Louisiana website here: http://www.crt.state.la.us/search/default.asp  under lafestivals.xls a list of Louisiana festivals and events, out of a total of 510 events, less than 17% are listed for north/central Louisiana with the majority of those being in big city venues such as Monroe, Shreveport or cultural hot spots such as Natchitoches.  Even Alexandria came in with only 3 events.

When doing a search of a well known official travel site for Louisiana, (louisianatravel.com), I found in a search of the 13 areas listed, 5 of those were in central or north Louisiana.  Of those areas, there were a total of 35 events listed for a 4 week span between April 30 and May 28.  Sounds OK until you look at the totals.  In the same time period there were a total of 265 events listed for areas south of Alexandria. Of those listings in Alexandria area, 6 of the events were in conjunction with the Civil War Sesquicentennial.  Events that were special this year only and will not appear in the same context again. There were many other events in north/central Louisiana that were disregarded completely. When the numbers are crunched,  Central and North Louisiana gets 16 1/2 % of the total listings from this travel site though the actual number of events are many more than published.

The state government of Louisiana has a program called: Louisiana Main to Main: A Cultural Roadshow. From the site they say:  Louisiana Main to Main is a program to collectively showcase our culture, commerce, history, and our abundance of creative and natural assets, and encourages road trips from one Main Street community to the next.  This program list a total of 30 towns in the program but only 7 are in the northern/central region of Louisiana.  This gives the whole region north of Alexandria only 23% of the promotion and monies allotted. Some personal sites claiming to be promoting Louisiana statewide include little to no north/central Louisiana events. After researching several such sites these were some of the results.

Here are the numbers:
17 % http://www.crt.state.la.us/search/default.asp
16 1/2 %  http://cdn.louisianatravel.com/sites/louisianatravel.com/files/Louisiana-Fairs-and-Festivals.pdf

Some sites have NO listings for North Louisiana festivals despite claiming to be a listing site for the whole United States such as

0 % http://festivalsandevents.com/festival.php?state=LA
0 % http://southfest.com/louisiana.shtml  The southfest site has listings from 9 southern states. In it's Louisiana listings of festivals, not one event is listed for north/central Louisiana.

16%  http://www.laffnet.org/
6 1/2 % http://www.cajunradio.org/louisianafestivals.html
12 % Even Wikipedia with it's list of over 139 festivals managed to share only 12% of festivals in our area of the state.

From our state sites and other travel/tourism sites and publications we get only 9.7 % of the total publicity for events in the entire state of Louisiana.

You can check out these sites for yourself, see if you can find a fair share of publicity for north/central Louisiana.

Not to limit my search to festivals and fairs I went searching for other types of events.
Here are the results:

I looked up Summer Camps in Louisiana.  Out of a total of 11 from this site
http://www.americantowns.com/la/batonrouge-summer-camps, two were actually above
Alexandria, yet they were claiming to be giving information about summer camps in Louisiana.

Here on http://www.mysummercamps.com/camps/louisiana-summer-camps.html   I found  52 camps but only 6 of the total were from Alexandria or north of Alexandria Louisiana. There are many more summer camps & children's camps in north/central Louisiana than just over 1 %.

And just for fun I checked out this site http://www.foodreference.com/html/louisiana-
festivals.html to find that only 1 out of 37 Louisiana food events were listed as being in the
north/central Louisiana area.

Check out As The Crow Flies and see for yourself that we here in north/central Louisiana have many, many opportunities for tourism.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/AsTheCrowFlies/147636581936823
If you are as unhappy with these numbers as I am, how about let's do something about it.

I will continue to post the events that I find on my page but it would be a great help if chambers of commerce, town site, newspapers and other publications as well as museums and art commissions would band together to request equal opportunity and publicity from the state of Louisiana and web site that promote the southern part of our state so heavily.

Email me at: angelacouch (at) yahoo (dot) com or contact me on Facebook with your suggestions. Put north/central Louisiana in the subject line please.

Louisiana Resort Unveils Six-Mile Mountain Bike/Hike Trail

Cypress Bend Resort, set on 600 acres along the shores of Toledo Bend Reservoir in northwest Louisiana, will celebrate the grand opening of its new mountain bike and hike trail on Sunday, May 23.

Appropriate for most skill levels, the new trail is designed with elevation changes up to 190 feet and features five possible loop distances ranging from one to six miles. Moreover, several loops can be combined to create longer distances. Winding through tight and open-forest sections, the trail also runs along Toledo Bend Reservoir providing great views with every turn. Hikers are welcome to enjoy the trail but must yield to riders.

Resort guests have free access to the trail while non-resort guests pay $10 per day. Or, for $20 per day, non-guests can access the resort’s fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, sauna and showers.

As part of the grand opening, Cypress Bend Resort is hosting a free Fast Lap Challenge event for mountain bike enthusiasts to officially establish the fastest lap time.

Starting at 12 noon, the Fast Lap Challenge will allow mountain bike enthusiasts to race the clock along six miles of grueling climbs, wicked downhills and a diverse mix of land characteristics and elevation.

Participants must register for the Fast Lap Challenge by May 16, 2010 at www.cypressbend.com/trails. Bikes and helmets will not be provided.

These new mountain bike and hike trails complement the resort’s existing amenities including 18-holes of world-class golf (the course is part of Louisiana’s famed Audubon Golf Trail), guided fishing excursions, a full-service day spa and indoor/outdoor pool.

For reservations, call 877-519-1500 or visit www.cypressbend.com.

About Cypress Bend Resort

Located 73 miles south of Shreveport in Many, Louisiana, Cypress Bend Golf Resort is an intimate, full-service resort nestled in a forest of oak and pine trees on the shores of Toledo Bend Lake. Features include 18-holes of on-property, championship golf; a full service spa and fitness center; heated indoor/outdoor pool; and a restaurant and bar.

Cypress Bend’s 95 guestrooms and suites include a large desk with data ports, an ergonomic chair and complimentary high-speed Internet service. The resort also offers fourteen spacious Golf Suite condominiums overlooking the driving range with 1,250 square feet of pure luxury. Each Golf Suite contains a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace and whirlpool tub.

Photo Credit and Submitted by: Cypress Bend Resort

Join the Jam Session and Birthday Bash for James Burton

The 2009
JAMES BURTON INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL
TRIBUTE TO ELVIS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 6 PM - Midnight
THE JAMES BURTON BIRTHDAY BASH
Featuring local and regional bands.
Festival Plaza, Admission: $5

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 9 AM - 11:30 AM
Guitar Showdown (Talent Competition)
hosted by Tipitina’s Shreveport Music Office Coop
Hirsch Memorial Coliseum, State Fair Grounds

Live Music, 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, Hirsch Memorial Coliseum

Guinness World Record Attempt
2:00 PM – Hirsch Memorial Coliseum
Join James, his guitar hero friends, along with Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs......
Admission to Hirsh is free.

James Burton & Friends Concert
7:00 PM – Municipal Auditorium
Tickets available: $25; $75; $100

Vexcon: The Exterminators

Who thought that watching someone kill ants, wrangle gators, rescue racoons and opossums, and getting other pesky animals would be entertaining? Not only is The Exterminators entertaining, but it is also educational. Billy Bretherton takes pest control to a new level. In fact, i think the producers of the show missed the mark on naming this show because Billy and Vexcon are animal and vermon friendly pest removers, there's very little actual "exterminating" going on.

What I like about the show, other than the Bretherton family and their antics, is the fact that it makes Louisiana look good. The photographers, writers and Bretherton family have shown how beautiful North Louisiana and the surrounding areas are. It is refreshing to see Louisiana portrayed on national television so well.

Now back to the show...you must check it out! If you are from the Shreveport-Bossier area, you'll see things and maybe even people or businesses that are familiar. The family dynamics and drama appear to be real.

Billy's techniques and dress seem somewhat unconventional but I love it. I'm not going to spoil it for you but he has a very unique sense of style. One of the great things about the show is that through all of the family drama, you know that they love one another and are trying to do the best they can in working and running a family business. It sometimes gets messy.

I can tell you because I am a Louisiana native, that the people are real, the places he visits are real and the animals and dangers that he faces are real.

Another thing that I love about the show is that he uses humane traps and methods for trapping animals and tries to relocate them when necessary. He also uses natural, organic methods to get rid of nasty pests such as wasps, roaches, fire ants, and mice. He also explains what he is going to do in every episode.

These first two videos are from when Vexcon appeared on Dirty Jobs. The others are from The Exterminators. Following the videos are several links to different sites about The Exterminators including show schedule. You can watch full episodes on A&E website. I'm hooked!














The Exterminators on Facebook

A&E TV The Exterminators
Can watch full episodes of the show. Also interviews of Billy.
Read Bios on the family; view photos, play "'possum toss'em", order merchandise and visit the message boards.


Listing of episodes and next US airings of The Exterminators


Vexcon Inc.

Jonquil Jubilee

The Daffodil Capital of Louisiana, Gibsland, Louisiana

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Enjoy a spring day visiting the Daffodil Capitol of Louisiana, Gibsland, Louisiana. Tour historic homes, shop for handcrafted items, visit a museum, take in a flower show, walk through a garden, and drive through the beautiful North Louisiana countryside enjoying nature's own art show.

• Tour sites open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Purchase a ticket at the Jubilee Booth for $10.00 a ticket. The price includes admission to historic homes and gardens in town, and a map of various plantings in the area.
• Tour two homes on the National Register of Historic Places: The 1848 Green Revivial Sylvan Retreat and the Colbert Place which is built in the 1860's.
• Tour sites include Sally's Field which features over 6,000 daffodils; Oak Grove Farm; enjoy local crafts at the United Methodist Church; visit the oldest continuously operated Baptist church in Louisiana, Mt. Lebanon, established in 1837; visit the Mt. Lebanon Stagecoach Trail Museum; Willow Oaks Farm and a newly constructed Blacksmith Shop
• Shop downtown at E.W. Merrit Pavilion for handcrafted items: iron works, original art, assorted native plants and garden accessories.
• Sample food from Gibsland Grill or Key Rail Barbeque
• Visit the Authentic Bonnie & Clyde Museum
• Walk through the Barbara Van Cleave Joiner Memorial Garden
• Stop by the second Jonquil Jubilee Flower Show
• Get there early for the Jonquil Jubilee Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Gibsland Lions Club
• Take a historical tour of the Gibsland and Mt. Lebanon cemeteries and learn of those who settled the area
• Stop and smell the flowers at the home of Lorris Carter and walk through a field of daffodils.
  

For more information, visit www.jonquiljubilee.com.

Source: Jonquil Jubilee Website

2009 BASSMASTER CLASSIC TOURNAMENT

UPDATE: 02.21.2009 THE CLASSIC IS IN FULL GEAR. Check out the ESPN blog for updates.

Louisiana is known as the "Sportsman's Paradise". From hunting and fishing to hiking and birding, there's something in Louisiana for everyone. There are many lakes and rivers that make this area a great place to explore the outdoors.

The 2009 BASSMASTER Classic Tournament is coming to North Louisiana February 20-22nd, 2009.

The Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo, Shreveport Convention Center, 400 Caddo Street, Shreveport, LA. Expo Hours: Friday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Weigh-In at CenturyTel Center, 2000 CenturyTel Center Drive, Bossier City, LA. Doors open daily at 3:3 p.m.

Boats launch daily at 7:15 a.m. from Red River South Marina & Resort, Highway 171 South, Bossier City, LA.

For more information call 877-BASS USA.

Christmas Ideas from Louisiana

Christmas is right around the corner. I wanted to share this information with readers of Louisiana Trekker who are shopping for Christmas gifts.

These North Louisiana businesses offer everything for your holiday entertaining as well as possible gift ideas. And by supporting these companies you are helping the local economy. Keep your hard earned money close to home. Support local farmers and businesses.

The Louisiana Products Guide includes cajun seasonings, spices and rubs, honey, syrup, smoked sausage, fish fry mix, gourmet foods, cobbler mixes, pecans, wine, produce, fruit, candy, nuts of every kind, coffee, mayhaws, muscadines, hot pepper sauce, Natchitoches meat pies, jelly, jams and more. Click here for a list of North Louisiana businesses who have products that would make great Christmas gifts.

There are still some farmer's markets that are open. Click here for a listing of Farmer's Markets in North Louisiana.

This product guide includes the following Louisiana businesses: Allens Inc., Bayou Blends Seasoning, Inc., Bayou Queen Bee Farms, Bellevue Meat Processing, Breau Jo's, Cajun 2 Geaux,

Cajun Gold Catfish Processors, Calhoun Bend Mill, Inc., Cane River Island Foods, LLC, Catdaddy Sauce COmpany, Chauvin HOney Farm, Chef Hans' Gourmet Food, Chef Lorenzo, LLC, Cookie Cone Corporation, Casa de Sue Winery, Clear Lake Apiary, Company Farm Pecans, Crawfish City, Debbie Roy Brokerage Co., Dawson Farms, Shreveport Macaroni Mfg., Du Paul Enterprises,

Dumas Candy Company, Dove's Nest, Down Home Meats, E.B.’s Tamale Company, Earl Roy Produce, Eddies BBQ, LLC, Evan's Eden Fruit Farm,

Feliciana Delights, Inc.,Fertitta's Delicatessen, Farmer's Seafood Kitchens, Inc., Foremost Dairy, Food Way the Louisiana Way - Tasty, Haring's Pride Catfish, Harold Quebedeaux Produce, Honey Bayou Farm, Hummer and Son Honey Farm,

J. Bernard Crawfish Processing, Inc., Jelks Incorporated, Kinloch Plantation, King's Fish Market, Louisiana Cajun Classics, Louisiana Crawfish Company, Louisiana Pecans, Louisiana Sauce Factory,

McCain Farms, Ma's Cajun Meat Pies,Mitcham Farm, LLC, Minsky Pecan Market, Inc., Moe's Crawfish Kitchen, Natchitoches Meat Pie Company, Natchitoches Pecans, Inc., Music Mountain Water Company, Noah's Potato Chip Company, Norris Syrup Mill, LLC,

The Ole Homestead, On Mayhaw Hill, Panola Pepper Corporation, Peter's Crescent City Connection, LLC, Pleasant Acres Jams & Jellies, Plunkett Farms, Pomidoro House, Poole Produce, Poverty Point Produce, Rhymes Ohh La! La!, Ronnie's Bar B Que Sauce, Rosalie Sugarmill, Inc., Robertson Fruit & Produce, Roy's Best of the Bayou, Sonshine Orchards,

Sky Lin Farms, South Franklin Farmer's Market, LLC, Spring Branch Orchard, Sugarmakers, Sweet & Sons, Three Rivers Fish Company, The Nutcracker Company, LLC, Robert M. Tippett, Warren's Khoury Candy Company, The Yam Company, Ybar Farms.

The Louisiana Products Guide includes a host of businesses that manufacture or grow a variety of products right here in North Louisiana. Take a moment to view the list and shop at home. You won’t be disappointed. There are many talented, hard-working individuals who would love to visit with you and share their products with you.

Included in this product guide are nurseries, gourd crafts and purple martin houses made from gourds, high-end gas barbecue grills, hay, animal bedding, cotton items, whole cotton seeds, sterling silver wine glass charms, sterling silver wedding cake charms, gift baskets, pecan trees, handmade soaps, lotions, scrubs and other personal care products, clothing (jumpers, smocks, t-shirts), pillows, garden benches and fresh cut flowers and plants.

North Louisiana Businesses in this guide include:
Doug Young Nursery, Gourds - Gowards - Goards, G & C Nursery, Hickory Hill Nursery, Iron Works, Kingsland Ranch, Lady Lariat Animal Bedding, John Langston Nursery, Lagniappe Cotton Gin, LLC, Louisiana Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University, Marymade , Pelican State Baskets, Red Top Pecan Company, Robert Strange Nursery, Rocky Mount Gourds, Skin Soothers Handmade Toiletries, St. Augustine Historical Society, Sans Souci, Tensas Co-op Gin and Waters Edge Nursery. This list is by no means inclusive. There are many, many Louisiana businesses. If you know of one that isn't on this list, please let Louisiana Trekker know at louisianatrekker@gmail.com or write Publisher, Louisiana Trekker, PO Box 208, Elm Grove, LA 71051.

Source: Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry website

If you have a business or product that you would like added to the site, please email the Publisher at LouisianaTrekker@gmail.com or mail information to P.O. Box , Elm Grove, LA 71051.

Support Louisiana businesses, products and restaurants. When you get the chance, choose Louisiana products over others it benefits all of us.

Enjoy a day in the fresh country air

Bienville Parish: Arcadia

Grab your friends and family for a fun-filled day in the country at PaPa Simpson's Farm in Arcadia, Louisiana on Saturday, October 18th, 2008 and November 15th, 2008, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at MiMi's Country Cupboard.

PaPa Simpson's Farm is a working dairy farm. Six generations have called the farm home. Agriculture is their way of life and they want to share it with everyone. The tour allows visitors to experience daily life on a farm. Visitors are educated on the animals, crops, vegetable garden, fruit trees and berries. There is also a lesson in history and geography. The most important that the family wants to share with others is the beauty of the rolling hills, trees, pastures and their way of life.

MiMi's Country Cupboard offers several items for sale. Purchase your very own PaPa Simpson's Farm t-shirt, or one of these farm fresh foods: cheddar cheese, jelly, sweet pickles, dill pickles, cinnamon pickles, pickled okra, salsa, candied jalapenos, pepper sauce, seasonal flowers, sugarcane stalks, herbs and fresh eggs.

PaPa Simpson's Farm is available for birthday parties, company picnics, fishing at the catfish pond, educational tours and family tours. The farm is also open for day care centers, nursing homes, church groups, clubs, companies, reunions, individuals, or families.

The cost of the family tour is $8.00 per person; children one and under are free. Reservations may be made by calling 318-263-2383 or 318-278-0883. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy some fishing in the catfish pond after the tour.

Fall Festivities:
Pick-a-Pumpkin Patch: In the months of October and November, we will have a pick your own pumpkin patch for educational tours. Price is $8 per person and everyone gets a pumpkin.

Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, October 11, 2008 from 6-9 p.m.*Purchase tickets for activities such as horseback riding, face painting, painting a pumpkin, carnival games, baby animal petting area, corn dig for prizes, hayride with storytelling, bonfire and roasting of marshmallows.*Large pumpkins available for purchase*Costume contest*Concessions available

Winter Festivities: Christmas with the Critters, December 12th and 13th, 2008, from 6-9 p.m.*Christmas light display*Baby animal petting area*Horseback riding*Snow dig for prizes*Pictures with Santa Claus*Hayride with bonfire, roasting of marshmallows, reading Christmas Story of Jesus’ Birth from Luke*Concessions available

Directions to PaPa Simpson’s Farm: Take Interstate 20 Exit 69 in Arcadia, travel Highway 151 North for 2 ½ miles; Turn left at Alabama Baptist Church onto Rich Road and follow the signs to MiMi’s Country Cottage. Please do not turn in at the gate that says “PaPa Simpson’s Farm.” Drive to the top of the hill and you will see MiMi’s Country Cottage. This is where the tour will start. The farm is located approximately 4 ½ miles from exit 69.

Source: PaPa Simpson's website

33rd Red River Revel Arts Festival

Arts, education, music, food, fun, and children. What do all of these words have in common? They are all part of one of the largest arts festivals in North Louisiana, the 33rd Red River Revel, which is to be held October 4th-11th. This arts celebration has it all. Every year this celebration gets bigger and better.

When the Red River Revel began 33 years ago, the primary goal, according to the Revel website, was arts education for children. That goal is evident in all of the events slated for this festival.
There is so much to do and see at the Revel.

Children's events include: SciPort activity area, Shreve Memorial Library Book Walk & Storytelling, Northwest Louisiana Food Bank clay pot painting, kid fish, mock geological dig, architecture alive, Brookshire's grocery store, tot tent, Christus Schumpert Sutton Children's mini medical center, climbing wall, sand art, creation station and more. This is a hands-on festival where children are able to get their hands dirty and be free to use their imaginations to create one-of-a-kind art in a creative atmosphere. This festival teaches children that an arts education is valuable and that the world around them is full of art.

Other children's events include three time Grammy nominee, Trout Fishing in America; a student art exhibit "All things....India" at the Barnwell Gardens and Arts Center; and Children's Sewing Day, Saturday, October 11th, at Riverview Hall, sponsored by Red River Quilters.

Musical entertainment includes live music in a variety of styles. There are artists playing jazz, funk, rock n' roll, zydeco, country, R&B, and more. Enjoy the live performances of Edgar Winter, Lakeside, Brick, Bucky Covington, Stephen Cochran, Futureman and the Black Mozart Ensemble, and Grammy Award Nominee Lisa Haley & the Zydekats. Also local and regional favorites: Dirtfoot, Outlaw Nation, The Roscoes, Frank Ott & Hell Yeah, Todd O'Neill, The NOIDS, Trini Triggs, Star de Azlan, Dixie Tradition, and Cody Jinks.

The Red River Revel has fantastic food that is not your typical fair food. Some of the dishes are more foods you would find in a restaurant such as fajitas, dirty rice, gumbo, turkey legs, blakened catfish, Natchitoches meat pies, chicken fried rice and more. But for the diehard festival lover the Revel does have funnel cakes, hot dogs, hamburgers and other yummy festival fare. North Louisiana offers a variety of dishes with many different cultural tastes. And many of these scrumptious dishes can be sampled at the Revel. Bring your appetite and a sense of adventure and enjoy the flavors that Louisiana has to offer.

In addition to the children's activities, live music and great food, there will be over 100 visual artists selling all types of artwork--jewelry, watercolor, painting, wood, photography, glass, metal, ceramics, pottery, drawing and more.

The Revel is open daily at 11:00 a.m. Admission is free: all day on Monday, and until 5:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Admission is $5.00 on Saturday until 6:00 p.m., all day Sunday, and after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday-Friday. On Saturday after 6:00 p.m. admission is $10.00. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

The Revel is located at Festival Plaza in Downtown Shreveport.

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, A Louisiana Restaurant

One of the missions of this blog is to highlight events, people and places in Louisiana, more specifically North Louisiana. Although Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers began in South Louisiana, there are quite a few restaurants in North Louisiana. The food is great! The reason that I chose to highlight this restaurant first is that it is a story of following your dreams and making them a reality. It is the true story of how determination and hard work turned one man's crazy dream into a very, very successful restaurant.

First of all, I remember the first time that I saw Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers in Shreveport, Louisiana...I remember thinking that a restaurant that only sells chicken fingers would never stay in business. Boy, was I wrong. In fact, the restaurant is so successful in Shreveport that they opened another location and I heard a rumor that there will be one opening in Bossier as well. Chicken fingers, ah yes, chicken fingers. They are delicious. It has to be one of my all-time favorite restaurants.

There's something about the way the chicken fingers are cooked that makes them so scrumptious. You have to dip them in the special, secret Cane's sauce. Make sure you order extra so you don't run out. The meal comes with coleslaw, toast, fries, chicken fingers, sauce, and a drink. Their lemonade and sweet tea are good. My huband likes to dip his fries and bread in the sauce and my son loves the coleslaw.

According to the Raising Cane's website, it all started when founder, Todd Graves, wanted to open a restaurant. His idea was a restaurant that only served chicken fingers. He was fresh out of school, unemployed, had no money but had a passion.

He went through the proper channels of making a business plan, going to banks and private investors and asking for help. Everywhere he went, he was turned down. Graves was not about to let go of his dream so he set out for the west coast in search of employment. He took a job working very long hours at a refinery and saved his money. It was while he was out in Los Angeles that he met a man named "Wild Bill" who told him that he could make money by working on fishing boats in Alaska. So off he went to work on a salmon boat working 20 hour days.

The rest as they say is history. Armed with his hard-earned money, Graves moved back home to Baton Rouge and this time was able to convince investors to help him make his dream come true. The first restaurant opened just outside of the gates of the LSU campus in 1996. Now, there are Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers restaurants all over the country. It is a true story about how passion can turn a dream into a reality.

Another reason that I like Todd Graves' story is that he could have gone anywhere in the country to start his business but he chose to come home to Louisiana and start it here. Graves also supports Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) and there have been community food drives. He believes in giving back to the community and helping others.

So the next time you see the big red and white Cane's logo stop by and try it. Our favorite is the "Caniac" with sweet tea. It's sooooooo goooood!!

In North Louisiana you can find Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers restaurants in Shreveport, Ruston, West Monroe, Monroe and Alexandria.

Support Louisiana businesses, products and restaurants. When you get the chance, choose Louisiana products over others it benefits all of us.

Source: Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers website.

Visit North Louisiana where an adventure awaits you!

The idea for this blog came from a love of North Louisiana. Too often when people think of Louisiana, they automatically think of New Orleans or South Louisiana. This information was put together to showcase the great people, places and events in North Louisiana and to show people what this area has to offer: rich culture, history, arts, outdoors activities, plantations, rivers and lakes, and oh so much more.

If you’ve never traveled to North Louisiana, you don’t know what you are missing. If you live in North Louisiana, I can guarantee that you haven't been to every place on this blog. Take some time and explore your home state. There’s plenty to do and see.

If you love to shop, there are many unique and fun places where you can find one-of-a-kind items. Don’t go out of state, stay here and spend your money at home. Be proud of Louisiana and be proud to tell people you call Louisiana home.

Oh, I almost forgot the best thing about North Louisiana, it’s not the food or fishing, it’s not the history or music, it's the fine people who have chosen to call this place home. You'll meet them everywhere you go.

Grab a cool glass of sweet tea or lemonade, sit a spell, and see what North Louisiana has to offer. You are in for a treat!

Remember that when you visit one of the great places listed here, tell them you read about it at http://www.louisianatrekker.blogspot.com/.