Louisiana kicks off ‘greatest year ever’

Cold weather didn’t keep a large crowd from celebrating the start of Louisiana’s “greatest year ever,” as hundreds of people packed the grounds of Kent Plantation House in Alexandria on Tuesday for the first event of the Bicentennial of Louisiana Statehood, The Town Talk reports. “Impressive,” retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, chairman of the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission, said of the turnout. “What we’re looking for is for each parish to bring out their best. Obviously, Rapides did that. If all our events are like this, it will be a blessing. We’re off to a good start.” Tuesday’s opening event was the first leading up to the 200th anniversary of Louisiana’s statehood on April 30, 2012. Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, who was unable to attend as scheduled, sent a videotaped message where he referred to the event as “the kickoff to what will be Louisiana’s greatest year ever—our bicentennial celebration.” About 300 people were expected, but many more than that showed up, including TV and film actress Faith Ford, who grew up in Pineville. Among the highlights were a 250-plus-pound cake from Atwood’s Bakery and the unveiling of a stamp to be released in April commemorating the bicentennial, based on a photograph from longtime Louisiana nature and art photographer CC Lockwood. Lockwood called the photo of a sunset over water near Morgan City “my favorite image.” Read the full story from The Town Talk here, and learn more about bicentennial events and history by visiting the Louisiana Bicentennial Commission website here. You can also see the Louisiana stamp by Lockwood by visiting the USPS website here.