DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
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W e d n e s d ay, O c t o b e r 22, 2025
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Celebrate a decade of literary magic 10th annual Livingston Parish Book Festival set for Saturday
Community news report Celebrate a decade of literary magic at the 10th annual Livingston Parish Book Festival, scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Livingston Parish Library’s Main Branch in the Town of Livingston. This event is open to all ages, and there is no cost to attend. The Livingston Parish Book Festival is the library’s largest annual event, drawing thousands of visitors for a daylong celebration of books, literature, art and community, according to a news release. Attendees can look forward to
engaging author discussions, book signings, live music, food trucks and a host of family-friendly attractions that include face painting, balloon twisting, games, crafts, escape rooms and more. In honor of the festival’s milestone anniversary, this year’s theme embraces the spirit of the Renaissance. The library encourages guests to wear their finest knight or princess attire and immerse themselves in a world of creativity, complete with Renaissance-themed games, crafts and decorations.
Featured authors, performers
Headlining this year’s lineup is Mari Mancusi, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Mancusi is the author of more than 30 science fiction/fantasy books and has also written tie-in novels for Disney and Netflix. In addition to Mancusi, this year’s Book Festival will showcase an array of literary voices. Other featured authors will be Shannon Kelley Atwater, a New Orleansbased children’s book author/illustrator; Baptiste Paul, a Caribbeanborn award-winning children’s book author; and Rachel M. Marsh, a Louisiana native and critically acclaimed middle grade author.
For live music, Grammy Awardwinner Louis Michot and his band Swamp Magic will perform on an outdoor stage during an hourlong set. After his band’s set, Michot will join Atwater for a performance of “Fais Do-Do” from her new children’s book. Additionally, actors from Boomerang Comedy Theatre, a Baton Rouge-based troupe, will perform in a live open-world escape room in which they will team up with visitors to solve puzzles.
Authors Row, Community Row Meet local authors on Authors’
Row and learn about the work of local nonprofit organizations on Community Row. This year’s Book Festival will feature more than 50 local authors and community organizations, the most ever.
All-day activities All-day activities include an I Spy room, balloon twisting, crafts, temporary tattoos, face painting, jump houses, games, jousting, concessions, and food trucks, among other activities. There will also be free books available to visitors while supplies last.
Darlene Denstorff
Charles Salzer
French Settlement Creole Festival on Oct. 25
Denham Springs still in title hunt thanks to win over Dutchtown
AROUND LIVINGSTON
Celebrate the Creole culture from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 at the French Settlement Town Hall Pavilion on La. 16 at the Creole Festival. The free community celebration of Creole culture features authentic food like jambalaya, gumbo, sauce, and homemade desserts; live entertainment from Whiskey Bent, Justin Cornett, and The Stone Envie Band; family fun with face painting, permanent jewelry, driftwood art, engraving, and more; plus plenty of shopping, cold drinks, and local vendors.
RKM hosts Loranger’s Trunk-or-Treat RKM is hosting a Trunkor-Treat event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at 54016 La. 1062, Loranger. Enjoy a costume contest, games, music, inflatables, food, candy and more for kids of all ages. Interested vendors can email outreach@rkmcare.org to get involved.
Denham Springs Book Swap It’s time for the third Denham Springs Book Swap, set for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23 with a night of books, community and connection. This event is all about bringing people together who share a love for reading. Stop by the Mustard Seed Creamery for the event and visit Cavalier House Books, across the street. The Livingston Parish Library will be joining in the fun. Bring a gently used book (kids, adult, fiction, nonfiction,
ä See AROUND, page 2G
SPORTS ROUNDUP
PHOTOS BY RICHARD MEEK
Groups gathered to compare notes on their favorite chili during the Denham Springs Main Street Chili Cook-off on Saturday in the Antique Village.
Cooks use ground beef, spices, beans, elk, to make winning chili BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
What goes into a good chili? Although the answer depends on one’s individual palate, most the traditional staples of beef, beans, the trinity — because this is south Louisiana, after all — and five-alarm spices. And don’t forget the elk. Elk? A word in this area that is typically followed by lodge? In chili? “Elk is known as the best wild game meat, so that is why I went after it,” said Jacob Roark, one of 22 contestants in the Denham Springs Main Street Chili Cookoff Saturday in the Antique Village. “I wanted to be different than other people,” the Central resident said. Mission accomplished. Roark, who runs a catering
Everard Riley, left, and Laura Becker sample Richard Miller’s chili, which
ä See CHILI, page 2G placed third during the Denham Springs Main Street Chili Cook-off.
Football is often described as a turf war, and that was no different last week when Denham Springs scored an important 42–24 District 5-5A win over Dutchtown. Still, in an interesting twist, one of the game’s key factors was not field position. Denham Springs churned out plenty of yardage and more than enough touchdowns, all while choosing not to kick off deep after each of its scores. It didn’t matter. Four times following Denham Springs touchdowns, Dutchtown started its ensuing series at midfield. The result of those possessions was two turnovers, a punt and one field goal. The Yellow Jackets scored five touchdowns with three coming at the end of drives that were longer than 60 yards. Denham Springs was so good in every other phase of the game that field position was a non-factor. Jackets coach Brett Beard knows that will not always be the case. “There’s some things we’ve got to work on,” Beard said after the game. “We’ve got to do a better job covering kicks, and we’ve got to do a better job getting our squibs downfield. We don’t want (the opponent) to start on our side of the field, but sometimes shortening the field is not a terrible thing. We cover a little better on a short field so we knew it was going to be okay.” What is also OK is Denham Springs’ chances of winning a district title. After opening league play with a 26-20 loss at East Ascension, the win over Dutchtown has the Jackets tied with two other teams for
ä See SALZER, page 2G