DONALDSONVILLE • DUTCHTOWN • GEISMAR • GONZALES • PRAIRIEVILLE • ST. AMANT
THE ASCENSION
ADVOCATE 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, J u ly 15, 2026
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STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Celebrity dancer Kaylin Percy and pro dancer Leonard Augustus perform part of their routine during the Arc of East Ascension’s Dancing For a Cause at the Lamar-Dixon REV Center on Saturday in Gonzales.
Dancers sashay, cha cha and twirl to raise money for Arc of East Ascension
Community news report
“Dancing Through the Decades” was the theme for Saturday’s annual Dancing for the Cause fundraiser for the ARC of East Ascension. Twelve local business people and celebrities teamed up with professional dancers and instructors to raise money for the nonprofit agency that provides services
ä Photos from the event. PAGES 2G & 3G
housing, recreation and access to additional services,” according to the agency’s website. for people with intellectual and physical The Arc, the oldest and largest nonprofdisabilities. it agency based in Ascension Parish, is The Arc of East Ascension “envisions continually striving to meet the needs of a future that is all-inclusive and ensures those with disabilities by expanding and a fair quality of life for individuals with improving its services. disabilities through education, employThe group’s mission is to enhance the ment, family/community involvement, quality of life for persons with disabili-
ties and their families through services and advocacy that support choice, independence and dignity. This year’s celebrity dancers included Makesha Judson, Tera Riley Hillman, Morgan Lentes, Larry Williams, Andrew Gutracker, Kaylin Percy, Dara Lancaster, Tami Diez, Jordan Brignac, Jared Schexnayder, Hailey Entremont and Constance Clairborne.
Tanger Outlets Gonzales hosts Back-To-School Bash July 18
Tanger Outlets Gonzales invites shoppers A Taste of Donaldsonville planned to kick off the start of the school season with its Back-to-School Bash from 11 a.m. to The Donaldsonville Lions Club is hosting A 1 p.m. July 18. Taste of Donaldsonville from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Families can kick off the school year with Aug. 8 at Lemann Community Center, 1100 free activities in the corner near Crocs and Clay St., Donaldsonville. Darlene Skechers, including face painting, balloon Tickets purchased before July 31 are $30. Denstorff Tickets will be $35 at the door. art, bounce houses, music from a DJ, an interactive photo booth and Touch-A-Truck, The menu includes SmokeShack Park AROUND where kids can explore big rigs and emerASCENSION Street Tacos, crawfish fettuccine, pastalaya, toffee cheesecake and sweet potato Ooey gency vehicles. Gooey dessert. Additional family-friendly activities will be available throughout the event. The first 125 chilHighway 621 Outdoor Market dren will receive a clear Tanger backpack. Adding even more value, Tanger’s Big Summer The Highway 621 Outdoor Market, 39275 La. 621, Sale will offer up to 70% off top brands. in Gonzales, opens at 8 a.m. every Saturday until the end of July. Shop vendors’ booths and purchase lo‘Shrek The Musical’ coming to Gonzales cally grown produce. Ascension Community Theatre is staging “Shrek Food distributions set the Musical” July 16-19 and July 23-26 at the theater, 823 N. Felicity Ave., Gonzales. Ascension Parish’s commodity distribution is set for Get ready for a hilarious, heartwarming adventhe second Tuesday of each month in Donaldsonville and the second Wednesday of the month in Gonzales. ture with everyone’s favorite ogre. Based on the Distributions are from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Frank SoDreamWorks animated film, “Shrek the Musical” turns the fairy tale world upside down in a joyful tile Jr. Pavilion in Donaldsonville and the Lamar-Dixon celebration of friendship, love, and self-acceptance. Expo Center in Gonzales. For tickets and more information, visit All recipients must be prequalified by visiting the ci.ovationtix.com/35620/production/1251046. Ascension Parish Health Unit, 1024 E. Ascension Complex Blvd., in Gonzales or the Donaldsonville Risque Concert Saturday courthouse, 300 Houmas St. Contact Layne Melancon at (225) 450-1006 or layne.melancon@fmolhs.org. Check out the band Risque in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the VFW Post 3693, 42430 Churchpoint Road, Gonzales. Contact Darlene Denstorff by phone, (225) 388For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/5ymyaa4 or 0215 or (225) 603-1998; or email, ascension@ purchase at the door. theadvocate.com or ddenstorff@theadvocate.com. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10. Deadline: 5 p.m. Friday.
FILE PHOTO BY PATRICK DENNIS
The Ascension Parish Courthouse in Donaldsonville’s historic district
Ascension Parish Courthouse closed after roof collapses BY ANNAKATE FREELAND Staff writer
Part of the roof at the Ascension Parish Courthouse in Donaldsonville collapsed July 8 evening, prompting an emergency response, but no injuries were reported, officials said. Donaldsonville Fire Chief Travis Cedotal said firefighters were dispatched at 7:23 p.m.
After a search of the building and the debris pile, crews contacted a worker who confirmed that everyone working on the roof had safely left the area before the collapse. The Ascension Parish Clerk of Court’s Office announced Thursday that the courthouse would be closed for the day because of the collapse. Officials did not say when the building would reopen.