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}
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}
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}
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}
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}
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}
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.