Lifestyle

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Cortez Bonton, a Paragon Casino Resort employee, tends to the barbecue sold at the BBQ Throwdown on Nov. 18. The event attracted master chefs from across the South to compete for cash prizes and a shot at an invitation to compete for the world championship in Lynchburg, Tenn., next October. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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BEST SOUP/GUMBO

Mary Marchand (left) shares her 1st place victory in soups/gumbos with son Jarrod and husband Wayne. The Marchands live in Cottonport. {Photo courtesy of Tunica-Biloxi Indian Political Action Committee}

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2ND PLACE IN KIDS Q

Austin Spencer, 13, of Cottonport holds his prize for 2nd place in the Kids Q competition at the Nov. 18 Tunica-Biloxi BBQ Throwdown. Event coordinator David Rivas (right) congratulates the young chef. {Photo courtesy of Tunica-Biloxi Indian Political Action Committee}

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Over 300 classic and antique cars filled a parking lot at the Paragon Casino, where thousands of visitors admired them. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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Dylan Daye, 5, of Hessmer admires one of the classic antique cars on display at the Cruisin’ Southern Style car show held on the Paragon Casino Resort grounds on Nov. 18. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Michael Leduc of Bunkie, coordinator of the Cruisin’ Southern Style Car Show, shows off the 1955 Chevy of fellow-club member Jarrett Robinson of Forest Hill. The car show on the Paragon Casino grounds attracted 308 entrants and thousands of visitors while raising over $30,000 for St. Jude's Children's Hospital on Nov. 18. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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Another event, more private but much more important than the open-to-the-public events, was also held that Saturday as men and women from one of the state’s National Guard units were coming back from an overseas deployment. The casino in Marksville is often used for such homecomings. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

Paragon draws crowds with three mid-November events

Thousands of people converged on the Paragon Casino Resort on Nov. 18 where three people-pleasing events were being held.

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Crystal Bordelon, dressed as a witch, hands out candy to trick-or-treaters at the St. Alphonsus Youth Group table during Hessmer’s Halloween Festival on Oct. 31. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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The official greeters for the "Hessmaween" event were (from left) Alderman Keith Armand, Mayor Travis Franks, Village Clerk Stacy Jeansonne and Utilities Clerk Megan Charrier -- with assistance from her children 5-year-old Maggie (Wonder Woman) and 9-year-old Maddox (skeleton) Charrier, all of Hessmer. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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An unofficial “greeter” welcomes visitors to the Hessmer Halloween Festival in the former high school gym. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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A long line of trick-or-treaters forms outside the doors of the Hessmer High gym Halloween night. The Village of Hessmer sponsored the holiday event. Area businesses, organizations and churches set up treat stations around the basketball court to provide ample treats in a safe environment for area children. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

'Hessmaween' a big hit with area children

It was a happy “Hessmaween” for the children of the “Greater Hessmer” area.

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Sisters Lashonda and Loriana Evans of Marksville paint pumpkins while volunteer Kady Burbidge helps them pick the perfect colors for their project. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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Avoyelles Librarian Theresa Thevenote tells a spooky story to young children attending the Fall Market Halloween event on the Courthouse Square. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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All manner of superheroes, spooky creatures and animals bounce in the bouncy house at the Fall Market on the Avoyelles Courthouse Square. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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The Paul and Pete Band perform golden oldies for the crowd attending the Fall Market holiday event at the parish courthouse on Oct. 28. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

Marksville kicks off Halloween events with Fall Market

There were cats and dogs, witches and vampires, a wide selection of superheroes and a veritable job fair of careers -- policeman, firefighter, train engineer, farmer, hunter, etc.

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Paragon Casino employees and their children visit the games and treat stations set up in the Mari Center on Oct. 25. The event was a holiday treat for the children of the casino’s estimated 1,000 employees. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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“Police woman” Laney Cooper, 9, and “Spiderman” Christopher Guillot, 4, both of Fifth Ward, examine the spooky cemetery at the Paragon Casino Resort’s Halloween party for employees’ children on Oct. 25. {Photo by Raymond L.. Daye}

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Not all Paragon employees were at the Halloween event as guests. Some were there to work the booths, such as the artists manning the face-painting activity. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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A large black cat -- but not one wearing a hat -- looks down hungrily on Thing 1 and Thing 2, 5-month-old twins Carter (right) and Bryson Demouy of Marksville. The twins are held by parents Shon Demouy with Carter and Sandy Ponthier with Bryson.

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Jordan Carmouche (10) of Mansura, Jerveonta Harris (11) of Marksville and Dejuan Carmouche (11) of Mansura pose with a “pumpkinhead” creature during the Paragon Casino’s Halloween event for employees’ children. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

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Averie Carmouche, 8, (far left) of Marksville, prepares to toss rings at one of the game booths at Paragon’s Trick or Treat Carnival for its employees’ children. Her mother, Theresa Carmouche (in pink), looks on. {Photo by Raymond L. Daye}

Paragon Casino throws Halloween party for employees' children

Hundreds of children in Halloween costumes milled around the Mari Center a few days before the fall holiday, playing games and gazing at the spooky decorations.

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MARKSVILLE WEEKLY

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