News Around the State: Bears, Essence Fest and more

Louisiana’s first black bear hunting season was unanimously approved by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) for the first time since 1987 (five years later, Louisiana’s black bear was put on the Endangered Species List). The 16-day lottery-based season (December 7-22, 2024) is solely for Bear Management Area 4 (northeast Louisiana). Limited to licensed Louisiana hunters that have taken LDWF’s bear hunter training course (wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/commission-action-items).

Shreveport-Bossier: Firing Up the Night

Shreveport-Bossier’s blossoming nightlife scene has been recently enlivened by the posh and popular Sweet Caroline’s Dueling Piano Bar (sweetcarolinesbc.reservations@gmail.com) at Louisiana Boardwalk. Grammy-winning entertainment mogul, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, revered for launching G-Unit Film and Television Studios (with August projects underway), said he wants to “foster talent” and help transform Shreveport’s nightlife. Realtor Gerod Durden said he’s “interested in purchasing several downtown properties” with plans to bring some of the biggest named entertainers to Shreveport (thisis50.com/category/g-unit/).

New Orleans: Summer Grit and Glory

Despite impending hurricanes and sweltering heat, New Orleans’ steamy spirit accelerates with summer’s hip-hopping 30th annual Essence Festival (July 4-7), international Tales of the Cocktail crowd (July 21-26), avant-garde White Linen Night (August 3), jazzy Satchmo SummerFest (August 3-4), bewitching HexFest (August 9-11), boozy Red Dress Run (August 10) and flamboyant Southern Decadence (August 29-September 2). Bruises prevail at the zaniest fest: Running of the Bulls (July 12-14), newly headquartered at Gallier Hall. 

Grande Isle: The Kayak Kings

CCA’s 2024 Ride the Bull Kayak Fishing Tournament (August 24) is geared to anglers of all levels. The Grand Isle gathering holds the distinction of being the World’s Largest Kayak Fishing Tournament with several hundred yearly participants. Tip: Bring lightweight sun gloves and a waterproof marine handheld VHF radio with GPS (ccalouisiana.com/events/ride-the-bull-kayak-tourney/).

Marksville: Keeping it Cool

After 11 years of bringing festival fun to the grounds of Broken Wheel Brewery, the 12th annual Avoyelles Arts & Music Festival (July 4th) has a fresh new venue at Paragon Casino Resort featuring live bands, eating contests, a baking competition, a kid’s fun zone and a car-truck-motorcycle show. The new partnership with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana and Paragon Casino brings a fresh festival experience, from entertainment in the air-conditioned Mari Showroom to arts and crafts in the cool Grand Hall (paragoncasinoresort.com; avoyellesarts.com).