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Interesting Facts About CAJUNDOME

January 13, 2020 News 0 Comments

The CAJUNDOME is a multipurpose arena located in Lafayette, Louisiana. It is a Lafayette landmark that has been the home of the Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns basketball team since 1985. The arena also hosts concerts, sporting events, and touring shows. In 2019, the CAJUNDOME hosted events including the LA Outdoor Expo and Boat Show, the Monster Truck Tour, WWE Live, and the Acadiana Home and Design Show.

Below are 20 interesting facts that you may not know about the CAJUNDOME.

  1. The CAJUNDOME has 10,873 permanent seats and more than 5,000 portable chairs that can be set up.
  2. It is the largest college basketball arena in the state of Louisiana.
  3. The CAJUNDOME’s concrete roof weighs 13,500 tons.
  4. The scoreboard weighs approximately 30,000 pounds.
  5. The highest point of the arena is 165 feet and 4 inches above the ground floor.
  6. In 1995, an ice rink was added to the arena by raising the concrete floor ten inches and adding eight miles of pumping for antifreeze necessary to freeze the ice.
  7. The CAJUNDOME earned the nickname “The Frozen Swamp” when it was home to the ECHL’s Louisiana Ice Gators from 1995 to 2005.
  8. The arena can convert from a basketball court to an ice hockey rink in as few as six hours.
  9. The arena together with the convention center has a combined 191 toilets, 145 sinks, 102 urinals, and 12 showers.
  10. The CAJUNDOME has on-site catering by award-winning Artisan Creative Catering.
  11. The arena goes through 250 gallons of nacho peppers, 1,000 gallons of cheese sauce, 850 kegs of beer, and 3,000 pounds of popcorn seeds each year.
  12. The CAJUNDOME was built by the State of Louisiana, was funded by the City of Lafayette, and is owned by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
  13. It became a FEMA evacuation shelter in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita where it was the center of relief for thousands.
  14. Kenny Rodgers performed the first concert at the CAJUNDOME on November 11, 1985.
  15. The Kenny Rodgers concert had the largest crowd of any event at the arena with 13,500 fans in attendance. 
  16. The largest crowd for a basketball game was 11,479 fans on December 16, 1992 when the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns defeated Loyola Marymount.
  17. The CAJUNDOME averages 140 events per year and 10 to 15 concerts per year.
  18. Top entertainers including The Eagles, Whitney Houston, Rod Stewart, Elton John, Billy Joel, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Justin Bieber, and Lil Wayne have performed at the CAJUNDOME.
  19. The arena hosted the Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball tournament in 1997, 1998, and 2007.
  20. Every year, the CAJUNDOME hosts the eleven-day Cajun Heartland State Fair that attracts over 175,000 visitors from around the country.

The CAJUNDOME is located at 444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette, Louisiana 70506. It is easily accessible at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Interstate 49, and it is only a ten-minute drive from Lafayette Regional Airport. Over 4,500 hotel rooms are available within minutes of the facility. For most events, complimentary parking is available around the perimeter of the CAJUNDOME and convention center.

Parks and Recreation in Lafayette, LA

January 9, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette, Louisiana has no shortage of great parks. The city boasts over 33 parks that offer spaces and activities for people of all ages. Below is a list of eight parks to visit in Lafayette. 

Parks and Recreation in Lafayette, LA
  • Girard Park

Located in downtown Lafayette next to the University of Louisiana, Girard Park is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors. The 33-acre park includes a running path, fishing pond, basketball court, tennis courts, disc golf, multiple playgrounds, and a splash pad. Each October, the park hosts the annual Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, a three-day festival where visitors experience the Cajun and Creole culture through music, dancing, and food. Girard Park is located at 500 Girard Park Drive, Lafayette, LA 70503. 

  • Moncus Park

Explore acres of rolling hills, open meadows, and forested ravines at Moncus Park located in the heart of Lafayette. It is the last significantly-sized piece of undeveloped public land within the city. Every Saturday the park hosts the Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market where you can find the region’s freshest produce, meats, and seafood. Throughout the year, concerts, theatrical performances, and plays are held in the park’s open-air amphitheater. Moncus Park is located at 2913 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70503. 

  • Acadiana Park 

Acadiana Park in northeastern Lafayette encompasses 110 acres and includes nature trails, a 70-site campground, disc golf, basketball courts, tennis courts, and baseball fields. Visitors can launch kayaks or canoes from the park into the Bayou Vermillion Paddle Trail, and the park’s Nature Station offers hands-on exhibits for children to learn about local animals and plants. Acadiana Park is located at 1005 East Alexander Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. 

  • Parc San Souci

Parc San Souci in downtown Lafayette is a family-friendly park that features a splash pad, park benches, and grassy areas to play. The park is the perfect location for a photo-op with six-foot-tall concrete letters spelling out “Lafayette” without the “Y.” Visitors can complete the word by holding out their arms. Parc San Souci is located at 201 East Vermillion Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. 

  • Youngsville Sports Complex

Youngsville Sports Complex is a premier sports facility for soccer, baseball, softball, volleyball, basketball, and tennis. Sports teams from around the country come to the facility to compete. The multi-purpose sports complex also has a one-mile walking trail, fishing pond, and playground. The Youngsville Sports Complex is located 11 miles south of downtown Lafayette at 801 Savoy Road, Youngsville, LA 70592. 

  • Graham Brown Memorial Park

Graham Brown Memorial Park is a 50-acre public park that the whole family can enjoy. The park features a one-mile running trail with workout stations, tennis courts, basketball courts, an 18-hole disc golf course, picnic areas, dog park, and a playground. Graham Brown Memorial Park is located at 1234 East Pont des Mouton Road, Lafayette, LA 70507. 

  • Beaver Park

Beaver Park is home to Bowles Tennis Center, which offers tennis lessons by appointment. Additionally, there are ballparks, picnic areas, a playground, and a fishing pond with a pier and boat ramp at the park. Beaver Park is located at 1632 Surrey Street, Lafayette, LA 70508. 

  • J. Otto Broussard Memorial Park

Spanning 222 acres J. Otto Broussard Memorial Park is Lafayette’s largest park. It is home to the Fabacher Field Baseball Complex and the Les Vieux Chenes, an 18-hole golf course. The park also has seven batting cages, six soccer fields, five baseball fields, four softball fields, and a pond with a fishing pier. J. Otto Broussard Memorial Park is located at 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70505. 

What Makes Lafayette a Good Place to Live

January 6, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette, Louisiana, the heart of Cajun and Creole country, is one of the best places to live in the United States. From its vibrant food scene, great music, and festivals to its abundance of outdoor activities and laid back vibes, Lafayette is a special place to home. 

What Makes Lafayette a Good Place to Live

Delicious Food

Lafayette is known for its great food, which you can enjoy in over 100 locally-owned eateries or nationally recognized chains. One of Lafayette’s main draws is its unique, local dishes, like gumbo, jambalaya, po-boys, crawfish, and etouffee served traditionally or with modern twists. In addition to the local dishes, award-winning restaurants feature cuisines from around the world, including Japanese, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Korean, and Caribbean. You could eat at a new restaurant every day and never have the same dish twice. And if you want to create your own meals, fresh seafood, meats, and produce can be found weekly at local farmer’s markets. 

Great Music

Like food, music is part of Lafayette’s culture and history. The city has a distinct blend of Cajun and Zydeco music. You can enjoy live music at restaurants, dance halls, clubs, and concert halls. The community can also enjoy live music, dance, and theater performances held at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Besides Cajun and Zydeco music, Lafayette is also home to a range of musical styles, including country, gospel, blues, hip hop, and rock. 

Outdoor Activities

Whether you enjoy golfing, fishing, hunting, paddling, cycling, or camping Lafayette has something for you to enjoy. The city has some of the best bird-watching in North America, as it is located on the Mississippi Flyway and the Atchafalaya Loop of America’s Wetland Birding Trail. The swampland dotted with Cyprus trees are full of wildlife and provide an excellent opportunity for nature-lovers to bird-watch, paddle, and fish. The Vermillion River and Atchafalaya Basin offer freshwater fishing for bass, bream, and catfish. 

Lafayette has 36 parks and ten recreation centers offering tennis courts, disc golf, hiking trails, and swimming pools, and kids and adults can participate in active sports leagues. 

Calendar Full of Festivals

If you live in Lafayette, you always have something to celebrate with year-round festivals. Two of Lafayette’s biggest festivals are the Festival International de Louisiane in the spring and the Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in the fall. Smaller food festivals, like the Boudin Cook-Off, Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, and the Delcambre Shrimp Festival, offer fun for the entire family. 

Joie De Vie

The people are the biggest reason that Lafayette is such a great place to live. The city is known as one of the happiest cities in the United States. With joy for life and laid back vibe, locals let the good times time roll or “laissez les bons temps rouler.” 

Your Lafayette Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident and are looking for a local Lafayette, Louisiana attorney, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers at 888-GET-BART. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers will provide you with the help that you need. 

Places of Interest Around Lafayette, LA

January 6, 2020 News 0 Comments

There are tons of exciting things to see and do in Lafayette, LA. Below are eight favorites. 

Places of Interest Around Lafayette, LA
  • Sans Souci Fine Crafts Gallery

The Sans Souci Fine Crafts Gallery features the work of the Louisiana Craft Guild, whose members include over 250 of the South’s finest artists. Southern Living Magazine voted it one of the top places to shop in the South. The building itself is possibly the oldest commercial building still standing in Lafayette. The gallery is located at 219 E. Vermilion Street, Lafayette, LA 70508. 

  • Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is famous for its Dutch Romanesque architecture, beautiful stained glass windows, ancient oak tree, and museum of relics. It is the third church built on site originally donated by Jean Mouton, the founder of Lafayette, in 1821. The cathedral is located at 515 Cathedral Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. 

  • Children’s Museum of Acadiana

The Children’s Museum of Acadiana is a hands-on, interactive museum designed for families to play and learn together. In addition to its numerous exhibits, the museum hosts special events throughout the year, especially during holidays. The Children’s Museum is located in downtown Lafayette at 201 East Congress Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. 

  • Cité des Arts 

Cité des Arts is a multi-use arts center in downtown Lafayette offering theatrical productions, jam sessions, music and dance lessons, children’s activities, and an art gallery. Cité des Arts is located at 109 Vine Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. 

  • Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium

The Lafayette Science Museum offers visitors of all ages a fun, hands-on experience to learn something new through its exhibits and installations. On the second floor of the museum is a state-of-the-art, all-digital planetarium that offers daily programs about the universe. The Lafayette Science Museum and Planetarium is located at 433 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. 

  • Blue Moon Saloon

Everyone is welcome to eat, drink, and dance at The Blue Moon Saloon, one of America’s premier venues for roots music. For out-of-town visitors, there is an accompanying Guesthouse where travelers can book a room. The Blue Moon Saloon is located at 215 E. Convent Street, Lafayette, LA 70501. 

  • Vermilionville

Vermilionville is a living history museum and folklife park where visitors can learn about the Acadian, Creole, and American people living in the Lafayette region during the time period 1765 to 1890. Vermilionville is located on a 23-acre park along the banks of the Bayou Vermilion at 300 Fisher Road, Lafayette, LA 70508. 

  • Cypress Lake

Located on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Cypress Lake, also known as “The Swamp” is a unique university landmark. The swamp-like lake is a habitat for native irises, alligators, turtles, birds, and fish. 

If you live in Lafayette and are looking for a personal injury attorney, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers. The attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers are experts in personal injury law, including car, motorcycle, and 18-wheeler accidents. Call or visit our website to schedule your free, private consultation with The People’s Trial Lawyer™.  

What is PlanLafayette 2035?

January 6, 2020 News 0 Comments

Lafayette, Louisiana is one of the fastest-growing communities in the United States. It is expected to grow by an additional 40% by the year 2030. With the growth comes challenges including but not limited to flooding, traffic, and inadequate infrastructure and community services.

What is PlanLafayette 2035?
PlanLafayette 2035?

PlanLafayette 2035 is the parish-wide vision for Lafayette over the next 15 years. It lays out an action plan to handle the struggles that come with growth. It was adopted by the Lafayette City-Parish Planning Commission on June 14, 2014. 

There are ten elements to PlanLafayette 2035. 

  • Land Use

The plan focuses growth in mixed-use centers with greater access to transit, jobs, walkable neighborhoods, and parks and recreation. The growth will occur in a connected fashion, which will enable the city to use less land and reduce costs.

  • Community Character

Lafayette is unique because of its rich Cajun and Creole heritage and its authentic “joie de vivre.” The plan seeks to preserve and capitalize on Lafayette’s authentic culture. It proposes to accomplish this goal by creating new housing and retail spaces along with bicycle and pedestrian-friendly streets. The plan wants to avoid the development of sterile commercial spaces and roads that are solely for automobile use.

  • Housing and Neighborhoods

PlanLafayette 2035 strives to provide high quality, affordable, and diverse housing choices across the urban, suburban, and rural areas of the parish. It will encourage the rehabilitation and reuse of declining housing.

  • Historical and Cultural Resources

Lafayette’s culture is at the center of its identity, and the plan seeks to highlight and promote key historical and cultural resources. Additionally, the proposal aims to increase community arts and cultural access across the region. New parks, plazas, and community buildings will be designed to celebrate Lafayette’s cultural heritage.

  • Economic Development

PlanLafayette 2035 recognizes the need to broaden employment sectors and produce more skilled workers locally for local jobs. Right now, Lafayette depends on three primary industries, petroleum, health care, and higher education. Further, the plan also wants to leverage research and development activity at the University of Louisiana Lafayette to grow local businesses.

  • Transportation and Mobility

With the increasing population, congestion on roadways is worsening. The plan wants to address this problem by increasing road network connectivity and expanding the availability of alternative travel options.

  • Utilities

The plan recognizes that Lafayette must make timely investments in electric, water, wastewater, and telecommunications systems to handle future growth and continue to provide reliable service at competitive rates.

  • Community Facilities and Services

The plan identifies that Lafayette must continue to provide high-quality police, fire, and EMS services as the community grows. Additionally, school facilities needs must be addressed to ensure that local graduates are receiving the training and skills they need to compete in the job market and contribute to the community. The plan hopes to improve coordination across all parishes in the Acadiana region. 

  • Recreation and Open Space

PlanLafayette 2035 wants to maintain and expand Lafayette’s parks, recreations, and open spaces to provide opportunities for all residents to enjoy Lafayette’s natural resources. The plan seeks to promote a healthy community. 

  • Resource Conservation

Currently, the region is at high risk of flooding, which is a significant concern to citizens and local businesses. To address this issue, the plan seeks to monitor and maintain the existing drainage network and conserve and protect natural resources.

Famous People From Lafayette, LA

January 3, 2020 News 0 Comments

Many famous actors, musicians, athletes, and politicians are from Lafayette, Louisiana.

Personal lnjury Lawyers, Lafayette, LA

Actors

  1. Angela Kinsey

Angela Kinsey was born in Lafayette, LA in 1971. She is known for her role playing Angela Martin on the hit TV show “The Office.” She also had a role in “Your Famous or Mine” and “Haters Back Off.”

  • Danneel Ackles (Danneel Harris)

Danneel Ackles was born in Lafayette, LA in 1979. She had a reoccurring role on “One Tree Hill” for two seasons as Rachel Gatina. She also has had roles in the daytime soap “One Life to Live” and “Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay.” 

  • Richard Keith

Richard Keith was born in Lafayette, LA in 1950. He famously played Little Ricky on the popular sitcom “I Love Lucy.” He also had roles in “The Andy Griffith Show” (1960), “Route 66” (1960), “Shirley Temple’s Storybook” (1958), and “Hazel” (1961). His original Cajun last name “Thibodeaux” was changed by his producer to “Keith” because he believed it was too difficult to pronounce. Richard Keith graduated from Lafayette High School.

Athletes

  1. Nnamdi Asomugha

Nnamdi Asomugha was born in Lafayette, LA in 1981. The Oakland Raiders drafted Asomugha in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers during his career. He was voted All-Pro four times during his 11-year NFL career.

  • Paul Bako

Paul Bako was born in Lafayette, LA in 1972. He is a former MLB player. During his 12-year MLB career as a catcher, he played for 11 different teams. Bako went to Lafayette High School and attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

  • Daniel Cormier

Daniel Cormier was born in Lafayette, LA in 1979. He is a mixed martial artist and former Olympic wrestler. Cormier is the current reigning champion of the heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He attended Northside High School where he won three Louisiana State Championships in wrestling.

  • Ron Guidry

Ron Guidry was born in Lafayette, LA in 1950. He is a former MLB pitcher. Guidry played his entire 14-year career with the New York Yankees where he was given the nicknames “Louisiana Lightning” and “Gator.” Guidry won the Cy Young Award in 1978 and won five Golden Glove Awards. He attended Northside High School, and he went to college at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.

Musicians

  1. Cupid (Bryson Bernard)

Bryson Bernard, known by his stage name Cupid, was born in Lafayette, LA in 1982. He has released four albums and is best known for his hit single “Cupid Shuffle.” He attended Northside High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

  • Lauren Daigle

Lauren Daigle was born in Lafayette, LA in 1991. She is a contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. Her third studio album, “Look Up Child,” and the album’s lead single, “You Say,” each earned Grammy Awards. She attended Louisiana State University.

  • Hunter Hayes

Hunter Hayes was born in Lafayette, LA in 1991. He is a popular country music singer and songwriter. Hayes has had enormous commercial success and has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist.

Politicians

  1. Jimmy Hayes

Jimmy Hayes was born in Lafayette, LA in 1946. He is a Republican politician and was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana’s 7th congressional district from 1987 to 1997. Hayes attended Southwestern Louisiana University and was a sergeant in the Louisiana Air National Guard.   

  • Jerry Luke LeBlanc

Jerry Luke LeBlanc was born in Lafayette, LA in 1956. He was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1989 to 2004. He is currently Vice President of his alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. 

  • Beth Rickey

Beth Rickey was born in Lafayette, LA in 1956. She was a Republican political activist who exposed the neo-Nazi connections of David Duke. Rickey attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she studied government.  

Your Lafayette Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car, motorcycle, or 18 wheeler accident and are looking for a local Lafayette accident lawyer, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers can provide you with the help that you need.

A Profile of Lafayette, LA

December 31, 2019 News 0 Comments

Lafayette, Louisiana, nicknamed the Hub City, is located at the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country. The city’s locals are known for Les Bons Temps Rouler or letting good times roll, and the Wall Street Journal’s Marketwatch.com recently named Lafayette the “Happiest City in America.”

personal injury lawyers Lafayette

Location

Lafayette is located along the Vermillion River in the southwestern part of Louisiana. It is the parish seat of Lafayette Parish. Lafayette is a two-hour drive west from New Orleans. The area is known for its beautiful bayous and swamps teeming with wildlife.

The People and Culture

Lafayette, LA has a population of 127,657 according to the 2015 U.S. Census estimates, and it is the fourth largest city in Louisiana.

The Cajun and Creole cultures are heavily represented in Lafayette. Lafayette’s Cajun heritage is a result of “Le Gran Derangement” in 1755 when thousands of French Canadians settled in the area after being forced from their homes after refusing to renounce their Catholic religion. A significant portion of the Lafayette population is still Catholic today. The Cajun and Creole cultures can be seen in the city’s food, music, and art.

Schools

The Lafayette Parish School System serves the Lafayette community. The school district has 40 total schools, including seven high schools. With a large Roman Catholic population, Lafayette also has many parochial schools.

Lafayette is also home to the second largest university in the state—the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Over 19,000 students are enrolled at the research university, which is among the nation’s leaders in areas like computer science, environmental biology, and nursing. Additionally, Lafayette is home to South Louisiana Community College.

Things to Do

There is much to do Lafayette whether it is eating at the many restaurants serving flavorful dishes, listening to Zydeco or Cajun music, or exploring the outdoors. You do not have to look far to find great food; Lafayette has more restaurants per capita than most cities in the United States. Be sure to try local dishes like crawfish, boudin, gumbo, and étouffée.

Dance to Zydeco and Cajun music in one of the many dancehalls around the city. Many restaurants, like Randol’s or Prejean’s, offer live music nightly along with great food and drinks.

Lafayette offers plenty of outdoor activities. Swamp tours are available to explore the outdoors and companies, such as Cajun Country Swamp Tours or McGee’s, offer airboat swamp tours, paddling excursions, sunset tours, birding and wildlife tours, and photography trips.

Festivals

Festivals are celebrated in Lafayette throughout the year. In the fall, thousands of people arrive in Lafayette for the Festivals Acadiens et Creoles, which celebrates the region’s indigenous music and culture. In the spring, Festival International de Louisiane is celebrated in downtown Lafayette with Francophone musicians and artists coming in from all over the world. In between these two huge festivals, Lafayette celebrates the Le Festival de Mardi Gras á Lafayette, the Boudin Cook-Off, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, and the Acadiana Po-Boy Festival, among other events.  

Your Lafayette Lawyer

If you or a loved one have been in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident and are looking for a local Lafayette, Louisiana attorney, call Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers at 888-GET-BART. The experienced personal injury attorneys at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers can provide you with the help that you need.

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