T-Boy, a 2-year-old alligator, and Bubba, a 3-year-old alligator, will be among the attractions Saturday during Tourism Day at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park in Jennings. (Doris Maricle / American Press)
Jeff Davis Tourism Day to feature food, music, baby alligators
Last Modified: Saturday, May 05, 2012 9:15 PM
By Doris Maricle / American Press
JENNINGS — The Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission will put the spotlight on local tourist attractions Saturday during Tourism Day.
The event will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park (Exit 64) as part of National Tourism Week.
“We want to make people aware of tourism and what Jeff Davis Parish has to offer,” Marketing Director Dione Sablehaus said.
There will be hot dogs and soft drinks, train rides and children’s games. The public will also have the opportunity to enjoy the services of the park’s visitor center and its 11-acre pond, jogging and walking trail, playground and picnic area.
Attaboys will provide music for the event.
At 11 a.m., the Tourism and Economic Development commissions will dedicate the century-old Pulver Home, which now houses the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Office.
More than 4,000 people visited the Gator Chateau at the Louisiana Oil and Gas Park in March and April to hold the baby alligators and see the adults. Visitors can watch staff feed the alligators at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays from May to September.
Tourism in Jeff Davis Parish has become a multimillion dollar industry, bringing in $17 million and creating 140 jobs, according to Sablehaus.
The parish also collects $400,000 in taxes from local tourism spending, including lodging, fuel, meals and entertainment.
The Tourist Commission uses the revenues to promote local events, attract new ones and draw visitors to the area.
Such events as the annual Stearman Fly-in, Roastin’ With Rosie Barbecue Festival, Cajun accordion championship and Mardi Gras celebration, along with area museums and local hunting, help attract visitors.
For more, call 821-5534 or go online to www.jeffdavis.org.
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