DENHAM SPRINGS • LIVINGSTON • WALKER • WATSON • AMITE • HAMMOND
ADVOCATE THE LIVINGSTON -TANGIPAHOA
T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M
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W e d n e s d ay, F e b r u a ry 4, 2026
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EN ROUTE
STAFF PHOTOS BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
A member of the BeignYAYS marches with the group during the Krewe of Denham Springs Mardi Gras parade along Range Avenue on Saturday in Denham Springs.
Beads, rubber balls and hula hoops fly during Krewe of Denham Springs parade
Queen Susan Hazleton rides on the royal family float Saturday during the Krewe of Denham Springs Mardi Gras parade.
Queen Susan Hazleton rode on the royal family float Saturday during the Krewe of Denham Springs Mardi Gras parade along Range Avenue. Several businesses and organizations rode in the annual parade which ran though Denham Springs.
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parade photos.
Most riders and paradegoers bundled up as temperatures were in the
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low to mid-30s throughout the parade.
Krewe of Diversion 31st Mardi Gras Boat Parade planned
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Historian Sam Hyde mixed a gumbo of humor, facts and perhaps a little bit of his own speculation during his presentation at The Edward Livingston Historical Association’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America Jan. 17 at the Livingston Parish Courthouse.
Professor makes case for 14th colony in Florida Parishes BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer
American history has traditionally been rooted in the ideal of 13 original colonies stretching from Georgia along the Eastern Seaboard to New England. Hogwash, refutes a local historian. Speaking at an event Jan. 17 at the Livingston Parish Courthouse commemorating the 250th anniversary of
ä See COLONY, page 3G
Troy Landry will roll Feb. 7 as grand marshal in the Krewe of Diversion Mardi Gras Boat Parade. Darlene The parade, hostDenstorff ed by Louisiana Friends Fighting AROUND LIVINGSTON Childhood Cancer, starts at noon along Diversion Canal. Proceeds from the parade benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Check out Livingston Parish library schedule Here are a few events planned at the Denham Springs-Walker Branch. For more information, call (225) 686-4140 or visit www. mylpl.info. n 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5: DIY Heart Tote Bag (ages 18+). Come by to share the love, get creative and take home a functional and stylish tote bag. Whether you’re crafting for a loved one or treating yourself, this is the perfect way to add a personal touch to your Valentine’s celebrations. Registration is required. n 6 p.m. Feb. 5: Predator Plant Papercraft (ages 13-18). Create a chomping Venus’ flytrap clip.
This Predator Plant papercraft is designed for teens to learn fun facts about carnivorous plants and to make art that shows how unique those plants are. Registration is not required. n 10 a.m. Feb. 7: Craft & Go Saturday (all ages). On the first Saturday of every month take part in crafting projects at the library. Each month features a brand-new project, and with the library providing the supplies. n 2 p.m. Feb. 10: Valentine Heart Décor (ages 18+): Create a colorful Valentine heart out of straws and twine. Registration is required.
Student rodeo coming in this month
PHOTO BY RICHARD MEEK
Rachel Henry, left; Dean McDowell center; and Connor Woods prepare gumbo ingredients at the 14th Bird & Sausage Gumbo Cook-off Jan. 31 at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds.
Piping hot gumbo warms the crowd at Bird & Sausage Gumbo Cook-off
The Southeast Louisiana Junior and High School Rodeo will be Feb. 27-March 1 at LamarDixon Expo Center in Gonzales. Action starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 27, 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 28, and 9 a.m. March 1. Rodeo athletes in fifth through 12th grades from all of Louisiana will compete. Admission is $10. A weekend pass is $15. Kids 5 and under are free.
Frigid temperatures did little to temper the heat radiating from 17 large gumbo pots Saturday afternoon at the Livingston Parish Fairgrounds. Seventeen teams and hundreds of people braved the frigid weather that remained in the 30s and wind chills that barely nudged against 20 to participate in the 14th Bird & Sausage Gumbo Cookoff, an event born in the backyard of Bobbi Jo and
ä See AROUND, page 3G
ä See GUMBO, page 2G
BY RICHARD MEEK Contributing writer