DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE
Darlene Denstorff AROUND ASCENSION
Juneteenth Pageant deadline May 9 May 9 is the deadline to register to compete in Donaldsonville’s Juneteenth Pageant, organizers announced. The pageant includes Ms., Miss, Miss Teen and Lil Miss titles. Applications are available at city hall or by email at juneteenthdonaldsonville@gmail.com. The Donaldsonville Juneteenth pageant, part of the 30th annual Donaldsonville Juneteenth Music Festival, will be at 1:30 p.m. June 14 in Louisiana Square.
Ralph’s Spring Wine Gala set The Kentucky Derby is the theme for Ralph’s Market Spring Wine Gala in the gardens of Houmas House Estate and Gardens, in Darrow. Sip on over more than 70 wines and enjoy favorite foods from Ralph’s Market. Don your fanciest hat or most outlandish Derby attire and win prizes. Proceeds benefit Louisiana’s Family Forum. For tickets, visit lp.constantcontactpages.com/ ev/reg/9t899dm
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W e d n e s d ay, A p r i l 30, 2025
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National Day of Service May 3 Celebrate National Day of Service May 3 at VFW Post 3693 in Gonzales. The event includes a jambalaya cook-off, just in time to practice before the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival, and an indoor craft vendor show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entry fee for “Hen on Wood” cook-off is $50 and cooks provide the ingredients and $20 for one bite challenge. For vendor information, email vfw3693aux@gmail.com.
Farmers Market Check out the Donaldsonville Farmers Market on the first Saturday of the month in Louisiana Square, 300 Block of Railroad Avenue, Donaldsonville, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Downtown Live The free Live Music in Crescent Park concert is from 6 to 10 p.m. May 3 with Red Tape Musiq. For vendor information, call (225) 473-4814.
Super Sunday Car Show The Donaldsonville Pavilion is hosting Super Sunday Car Show and Popup Shop from 1 to 5 p.m. May 4, 2162 Thibaut Drive, Donaldsonville. The event includes a crawfish boiling contest, vendors and car show.
PHOTO BY WENDY LOUP
Children ride the mini roller coaster Saturday during the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church’s Festival de la Prairie. The festival offered multiple children’s games and rides. ä See story, more photos. PAGE 2G
Nonprofit hopes to install electric vehicle chargers BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT
Farmers market Saturday
Staff writer
Pick up fresh produce, crafts and other goods at the Highway 621 Outdoor Market from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at 39275 La. 621 in Gonzales. For information, visit www. facebook.com/Hwy621OutdoorMarket.
A nonprofit leading a multiyear initiative to increase clean transportation access in Donaldsonville says it is looking to install several electric vehicle chargers in the city. If completed, the installation will be the largest collection of electric chargers on the west bank for miles around, according to a U.S. Department of Energy charger map. While the east bank has charging stations in Gonzales, Addis and Thibodaux are the closest west bank communities with chargers. Representatives for Louisiana
Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388-0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate. com. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday.
Clean Fuels mentioned the work during an Earth Day event April 22 at the River Road African American Museum’s Rosenwald School. Tyler Herrmann, the technical team lead for the organization, said the nonprofit is trying to get three to six electric vehicle chargers for the community. However, no timeline has been set for the charger installation. “Donaldsonville is a very tourismbased community, so one of the potential sites is at the museum itself, the River Road African American Museum,” he said. “Louisiana Square … that’s another location that we’re
STAFF PHOTO BY JAVIER GALLEGOS
Ansel Cantin representing Solar Alternatives, right, answers questions about the electric Ford F-150 Lightening from Lance Rodrigue during the Earth Day event held at the River Road African ä See CHARGERS, page 2G American Museum in Donaldsonville on April 22.
Ascension Catholic’s Aiden Crochet, Gracie Brant named track MVPs at 8-1A meet Troy LeBoeuf
ASCENSION SPORTS
Ascension Catholic boys and girls had strong showings at the 8-1A track meet held at East Iberville High School. The boys led the way with 168 total points to win the district championship, while Ascension Christian tallied 22
total points. The Ascension Catholic girls finished second overall with 129 and Ascension Christian had 7 total points. Distance runner Gracie Brant, of Ascension Catholic, was named track MVP. She
swept the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter races and ran a leg of the second place 4x400meter relay team. Leading the way for Ascension Catholic boys was senior distance runner Aiden Crochet. Crochet won the 3,200- and
1,600-meter runs edging out teammate Ansel Cantin. Crochet placed third in the 800-meter run and ran a leg on the second place 4x400-meter relay. Crochet was named the track MVP. “Winning district was a truly
a team effort,” Crochet said. “I am proud of my teammates and the hard work that went into the district. My improvement over the last four years has so much to do with my
ä See LEBOEUF, page 4G