Articles from Explore Louisiana

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Oct. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Louisiana Office of Tourism is launching its new Louisiana Hot Sauce Trail. The trail features factory tours such as the iconic Tabasco on Avery Island, restaurants, and attractions offering unique takes on hot sauce. Featured stops on the trail can be found all over the state and will continue to expand with new locations."Louisiana's food is famous around the world, and for good reason," said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. "From gumbo and jambalaya to the hot sauces that kick everything up a notch, our flavors tell the story of who we are. We have featured Louisiana hot sauces in several promotional events around the world, and the response has been amazing as people learn more about the flavors that make our cuisine so unique. People can't get enough of that authentic Louisiana taste. The new Louisiana Hot Sauce Trail is a fun way for visitors to explore those flavors and experience a little more of what makes Louisiana such a special place."The trail can be downloaded digitally on LouisianaHotSauceTrail.com. Users can check in at different stops along the trail to earn points they can redeem for prizes. The development of the new trail is part of the state's Year of Food campaign, showcasing Louisiana food as a top reason for traveling to the state.To launch the trail, the Louisiana Office of Tourism is bringing extra heat to its National Gumbo Day celebrations. National Gumbo Day falls on Sunday, October 12, and over the coming weekend four different food trucks will be handing out samples of Louisiana gumbo as well as a special Louisiana Hot Sauce Trail bottle of hot sauce. Trucks will roll in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Dallas, and Santa Monica, CA. To learn more about the events, visit the Explore Louisiana National Gumbo Day webpage."This trail is a great new way to share every corner of Louisiana with visitors. From Panola Pepper in north Louisiana to the Abita Mystery House and New Orleans' Great American Alligator Museum there are a lot of fun opportunities to experience Louisiana's hot sauce culture," said Assistant Secretary of Tourism Doug Bourgeois.To learn more about Louisiana's culinary scene, visit ExploreLouisiana.com and download your trail pass at LouisianaHotSauceTrail.com.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and the Louisiana Office of Tourism announced the float riders and performers chosen to represent the state in the 2025 Tournament of Roses® Parade in Pasadena, California. For a fourth year in a row, Louisiana will parade across the national and international stages for this annual tradition. This year's parade theme is "Best Day Ever!"  “Once again Louisiana is a great fit for the Rose Parade theme. We’re going to show the world your best day ever is definitely a day in Louisiana,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “Our float’s theme is Louisiana Saturday Night and we’ll bring all that food, fun, and music to transform a Wednesday in Pasadena.”  Louisiana’s 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade® float features a giant playful alligator wearing a crown and Mardi Gras beads while clutching a second-line umbrella in its tail. Riding on its back is a Cajun dance hall and porch, along with cypress trees, Louisiana musical instruments, seafood, and wildlife. Performing his rendition of “Louisiana Saturday Night” will be rising country star Timothy Wayne.  Six premier sponsors of Louisiana’s float represent convention and visitors bureaus and tourism boards from across the state including Explore Houma, Lafayette Travel, Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau, Visit Baton Rouge, Visit Shreveport-Bossier, and Visit The Northshore.  “I’m thrilled to be joined by this year’s new and returning sponsors as we show the world how you can Feed Your Soul in every corner of Louisiana,” added Lt. Governor Nungesser. “This year’s riders represent everything that makes a Louisiana Saturday night special – great music, delicious food, our celebratory spirit, and even a little visit to LSU’s Tiger Stadium.”  The sponsored riders will be joined by Cajun fiddler and former festival queen Leiton LeBlanc, the 74th Ozone Camellia Festival Queen Catherine Elizabeth Owen, and Emmie Addamus from the Office of the First Lady of Louisiana.  Louisiana’s 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade® float riders include: 

Baton Rouge, LA, Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Explore Louisiana announced 2025 will be its Year of Food, celebrating all the unique cuisine, culture and traditions that make the state a food lover’s paradise. To support the launch, Explore Louisiana sponsored the New York City Wine & Food Festival by hosting a jazz brunch featuring Chef Justin Girouard of The French Press in Lafayette, Louisiana.