Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser has a lot on his plate lately. Between the election and inauguration of New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno, The Rose Parade, and Mardi Gras looming just around the corner, there has been plenty to attend. These events, along with local initiatives and festivals have drawn locals and outsiders to the state. Nungesser says 2026 should be also be a busy time for the state of Louisiana.
In reflecting on 2025, Nungesser says it was a great year. He points to the successful Rose Parade, which featured Louisiana products to people near and far. As for what’s coming up in this new year, there’s plenty to mark your calendar for. “Love the Boot” registration is officially open and the “Keep America Beautiful” conference is happening at the end of the month in the Crescent City. Those events hope to highlight environmental and conservation efforts aiming to preserve Louisiana’s wetlands and wildlife.
As for the surrounding areas, “The Pardoning of the Crawfish” goes down at the end of month in Iberia Parish and Nungesser says it’s uniquely Louisiana fun aimed at the whole family. “The first Tuesday after Mardi Gras, we take one crawfish from the Atchafalaya Basin, we bring it to Avery Island this year, we give it the name of some great Louisianian, then we let him live his life out in a state park while the rest of his family gets boiled alive. It’s a great way to kick off crawfish season,” mused the Lieutenant Governor.