Get Ready for Eight Hot Air Balloons at Zachary’s 2nd Annual Really Hot Air Balloon Festival
By The Zachary PosT sTaff
Balloons and Everything Else
Imaginable
Thanks to “Downtown Live Zachary” and a funloving Zachary community, Zachary residents will gather with visitors from far and near at Zachary Community Park, a BREC facility, on Saturday, August 10, beginning at noon. The occasion: the city’s second annual hot air balloon fest.
The eight aeronauts, however— the balloon pilots—will arrive much earlier, at 5 a.m., to determine where to set up their balloons, which they will then launch at sunrise, well before the arrival of the crowds.
On the agenda for festival-goers: mechanical bull rides, a Kids Zone, an array of food trucks, and tent vendors offering everything from candles to cotton candy to Cosmopolitans to handcrafted chests and chairs.
Then, as dusk and dark descend, expect “balloon glow” to fill the sky as the balloons assume a magical “glow,” due to puffs of the fire and heat that keep them inflated.
Around the same time, 6 p.m., tether balloon rides will begin, weather permitting.
And from 6 to 9 p.m., The Chase Tyler Band will fill the air with Southern Rock, blues, country, Swamp Pop, and, in general, the kind of music, the critics say, “that makes you want to jump up and dance.” Joining founder Chase Tyler are Jude Hollier on bass guitar, Jay Jordan on lead guitar, John Pisciotta on drums, and Mike Simoneaux, keyboards.
Fest Movers and Shakers
Really Hot Air Balloons, a family business in Zachary since 2018, loans its name to the festival, the
suggestion, for last year ’s inaugural event, of Mary Landry, then the director of community events for the City of Zachary and the balloon fest’s first committee chair
Shawnel and Chad Hebert, and Shawnel’s father Shawn Krause, owners of Really Hot Air Balloons, welcomed the idea, as they had worked “for years” to bring a hot air balloon event to their city. Now, says Shawnel, for the second year, the Heberts are serving on the Downtown Live Zachary festival committee.
When Landry retired, Mrs. Hebert reports, Ashleigh McHugh, Zachary’s director of economic development, “took the reins” as chair Today committee members include Joey Welch, of The Bean Dip Factory food truck, who “oversees all food trucks, vendors, and novelties (the photo booth, for example, and the mechanical bull);” Nita Edwards, of the Zachary Farmers Market, who “oversees all arts and crafts vendors;” and David Gautreaux, in charge of alcohol sales.
The festival, Hebert notes, is “the big kickoff to raise money for the upcoming Downtown Live at the Gazebo music events.”
McHugh explains that the popular Gazebo series “features live concerts, food trucks, local craft and artisan vendors, and fun for all ages!”
Musicians appearing last year included “exciting artists like DK Harrell, an award-winning blues musician from Ruston, and The Phunky Monkeys, an electric 11-piece party band from New Orleans,” with Pants Party winding up the season.
Follow Downtown Live on Face-
Balloons show their colors in a watery reflection during last year’s festival in Zachary. Photograph provided by Shawnel Hebert
In flight: The balloons just prior to landing on the Zachary High School football field parking lot. Photograph by Hope Stevens
Sunrise launching at Zachary’s 2023 hot air balloon festival. Photograph by Ashleigh McHugh
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book and Instagram, McHugh advises, “for more information and announcements, as Fall 2024 concert dates will soon be announced!” And expect to find, once again, “artists who are playing in Zachary for the very first time.”
Hebert adds that while the balloon fest is the major fundraiser for Downtown Live at the Gazebo, “a portion of the proceeds goes to the BREC foundation, to help fund scholarships for graduating seniors.”
Welcome Back...and for the First Time!
The eight pilots include two Zachary teams, the Heberts and Shawn Krause, Mrs. Hebert’s father.
Louisiana pilots also include Karen Kent of Port Allen and John Good of Prairieville.
Frank Anger, Mike Hanson, and
Geoffrey Jones hail from Mississippi, and Rusty Miller from Alabama.
All six of last year ’s pilots are returning this year; Good and Miller will mark their first participation.
Thanks to the Sponsors Helping make Zachary a great and welcoming community are Really Hot Air Balloon Festival sponsors:
BREC, Sonic, Thorton, Musso & Bellemin, Winn Dixie, Americana, the City of Zachary, Party Potty, Cleveland Co., Y-Farms Kennels, Denson Advertising, State Farm Insurance—Cecil Graves, Eagle Federal Credit Union, MIS Technology Group, Myles Law Firm, Landmark Bank, The UPS Store, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Benny’s Carwash, Raising Cane’s, Ozark Insurance Agency, RKM Primary Care, Louisiana Healthcare, Connections, John Hendry Insurance, Restore Counseling, Zachary Manor, United Rental, All
Pro Tint, and Ferrell Gas.
VIP sponsor is Hot Tails seafood restaurant of Zachary.
The City of Zachary and all of the fest’s organizers extend their heartfelt and funloving thanks.
Please
For
please email
gmail.com.
In Our Wellness Community
Ivan Robertson Named Pharmacy Manager at Lane Rx
Ivan Robertson has been named Pharmacy Manager at Lane Rx. He is responsible for the daily operation and overall management of Lane Rx to ensure quality pharmaceutical services are provided.
A Central High graduate and 30year resident of Central, Ivan received his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Northeast Louisiana University and has more than 28 years of pharmacy experience. Prior to this position he was a pharmacist at both Lane Pharmacy (located inside of Lane Regional Medical Center) and Lane Rx located at 6400 Main Street in Zachary.
“I believe in building relationships and truly caring for the needs of each patient,” says Ivan. “My father was a pharmacist and owned his own pharmacy in the early 80”s in Baton Rouge, which is where I learned the values and level of customer service we bring to our patients each day.”
In addition to filling new prescriptions and transfers, Lane Rx
Ivan Robertson also offers the RxLocal mobile app, medication synchronization, full service compounding, customized medications, onsite vaccinations and immunizations, durable medical equipment, and a convenient drivethru window.
July Blood Drive at Lane – Urgent Need for Donors
The Blood Center donation bus will be in front of Lane Regional Medical Center on Monday, July 29th, from 11 AM – 4 PM, at 6300 Main Street in Zachary.
We are facing a severe blood shortage and are in critical need of all blood types.
DONORS SHOULD:
• Eat before donating
• Bring a picture ID
• Be 17 or older (16 with parental consent)
• Bring reading glasses if needed
The process takes about 45 minutes; the actual blood collection usually takes less than 20 minutes.
For more information, please call 225-765-8843.
Republican Mayor-President Candidate Sid Edwards Shares His Vision for East Baton
Prominent high school football coach and surprise Republican mayoral candidate Sid Edwards intends to run a “positive” campaign aimed at reaching voters across party and racial lines.
That’s according to Edwards himself, who made a case for his mayoral bid at the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish’s meeting at Café Americain on Tuesday.
“I am a unifier and I am a healer, and I am here to heal Baton Rouge,” Edwards said.
Edwards’ coaching career spans four decades and includes a 17-year stint at Central High School. He currently coaches at Istrouma High School in north Baton Rouge, a role he stepped into in March 2023.
Edwards, who was raised in north Baton Rouge, described his deci-
sion to join Istrouma and serve as a mentor to the school’s students as a “calling.” He said he has witnessed first-hand how communities in the 70805 ZIP code have been neglected over the years, and rectifying the
disparities between north and south Baton Rouge is likely to be one of his top priorities if he is elected.
“Remember when you were kids?” Edwards asked the approximately 50 attendees. “You had to walk or ride a bike everywhere you went. If you wanted to get a cool breeze, you had to go sit on the porch. Time stood still [in north Baton Rouge]. That’s still happening. A lot of these people don’t have air conditioning. One of my players didn’t even have a door on his house when I got there. I’m running for all of Baton Rouge. … The poor people over there have been neglected.”
Though precise policy proposals were few and far between in Edwards’ speech, he did stress the importance of addressing crime, homelessness and litter, suggesting that tackling those issues would also
Rouge Parish
serve to spur economic development in the city-parish. He also expressed his support for St. George, Louisiana’s newest city.
Edwards is also very open about the fact that he is something of a political novice, though he said he intends to fill in any gaps in his knowledge by surrounding himself with an experienced, well-educated staff.
“I hire people who are smarter than me and who are experts in their fields, and I give them the autonomy and the power to go get it done,” Edwards said. “That’s how [Baton Rouge] will be run.”
Edwards qualified for the mayoral race on Friday. Eight other candidates have thrown their hats in the ring, though former state Rep. Ted James and incumbent Sharon Weston Broome—both Democrats—have emerged as early frontrunners.
Tijani
Coach Sid Edwards speaks to the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge Parish on Tuesday about his campaign for MayorPresident as a “Unifier” for the Parish.
Please submit calendar notices to: rachal2743@gmail.com.
OPEN NOW: Zachary Youth Park Fall Ball Registration is OPEN NOW through August 4: baseball for 8 and under, 10 and under, and 12 and under; senior men’s softball for ages 40 and over; and co-ed softball. Please visit www.zacharyyouthpark. org for details. For more information, call 225-654-6529.
TUESDAYS: The Rotary Club of St. Francisville invites you to join the members weekly at West Feliciana Parish Library for one hour on Tuesdays at 7:30 a.m. to find out how you can become a member and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our community, and in ourselves. You will meet interesting people, both local and from around the world, sharing their wealth of knowledge during our meetings. Breakfast is served. For more information, visit stfrancisvillerotary.org or rotary. org.
WEDNESDAYS: Community Music
Jam meets at the West Feliciana Parish Library, 5114 Burnett Road in St. Francisville, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Drop in during a jam session to find out more.
NOW through Sunday, September 1: Registration for flag football at West Feliciana Sports Park—preseason practice is September 9 through 20, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Thursday; games are September 23 through October 31 at 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. To register, visit www.wfprec.com. Fee: $75.
NOW through September: Pop Up Art Exhibit featuring works by Elaine Erikson and Ronnie Collins at the Julien Poydras Museum and Art Center in New Roads. A grant from the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area funds this collaborative project of the Arts Council of Pointe Coupee and the Pointe Coupee Historical Society. Erikson’s painting of a pair of ducks in a marsh setting, “Fulvous Whistling Ducks,” won the 2022–2023 Louisiana Duck Stamp Contest. She lives in the historic district of St. Francisville, where she is active with Arts for All and the Yellow Leaf Festival. Ronnie Collins, of Jennings, Louisiana, is a well known muralist, having painted murals across the country for the past 30 years. Place: 500 West Main Street. Times: Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Contact Mindy LaCour at 225638-6575 for additional information.
Tuesday, July 30, and Tuesday, August 27, and the Last Tuesday of Every Month at 6 p.m.: Free yoga (all levels) at the West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen. Please do not eat beginning one hour prior to class, and please remember to bring a yoga mat. Classes convene in the Brick Gallery; please enter through the courtyard or the gravel driveway. For more information, visit www. WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.
Wednesday, July 31: Wednesday Night Dinner, The Green Door at H Mercantile, 12408 St. Helena Street, Suite B, in Clinton. Tuckers Seafood will prepare shrimp and grits, bread, corn and a drink for $19.99. Time: 4:30 p.m. Preorder at hmercantile. com or 225-244-7110.
Wednesday, July 31: Audubon Regional Library’s End of Summer
Party. Join us for fun and games while we celebrate the end of summer. A balloon artist will be in Jackson at 10 a.m., in Clinton at noon, and Greensburg at 2 p.m. In Clinton: 11023 Bank Street; call 225-683-8753. In Jackson: Jackson Square Plaza, 2637 Highway 10; call 225-634-7408. In Greensburg: 6108 Highway 10; call 225-435-7135.
Wednesday, July 31: The TMM Project (The True Mission Matters Project), 11 a.m. at the West Feliciana Parish Library, 5114 Burnett Road, St. Francisville. Get ready for our latest interactive program that takes viewers on a tour through some of America’s most coveted arts and music scenes throughout history, featuring live musical instruments such as the flute, keyboard, acoustic guitar, saxophone, and triangle and inspired by the states of California, New York, and Louisiana. Get your boarding passes ready for our TMM Adventure Tour 2024! The Friends of the Library funded this FREE event. For more information, please call 225-635-3364.
Friday, August 2: Le Café Français will host its monthly gathering at the West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen: a cultural offering and program for those who speak French, are learning French, or simply support the French language and culture in Louisiana. Speakers of any variety of French and any level of comprehension are welcome. This program is open to the public and FREE of charge. Each meeting features a topic to spur discussion, live music often provided by John Richard and Tony Thibodeaux, and, as always, coffee and dessert. Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www. WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.
Sunday, August 4: Behind the Barn Doors, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen. At the Big Red Barn on the museum’s campus, guests will enjoy demonstrations on the craftsmanship of historic trades and agricultural practices. The March demonstrations include tinkering with Gary Hart and fiber arts with Linda Collins. For those seeking a more immersive experience, sign-up sheets will be available for future workshops. For more information, visit www. WestBatonRougeMuseum.org.
Saturday, August 3: Back to School Giveaway, 10 a.m. at the Zachary High School Gymnasium, 4100 Bronco Lane. The Dr. Martin Luther King Committee of Zachary is hosting this school supplies giveaway, which starts at 10 a.m. and continues as long as supplies last. Free school supplies, snow cones, and refreshments! The bookmobile will also be on location. Please consider bringing canned goods for the needy! For more information, call 225 933-6431 or 225 202-1076.
Saturday, August 3: Wags & Whiskers Gala 2024 will benefit, for the ninth year, the West Feliciana Animal Humane Society. Includes live music, delicious food and a cash bar, as well as a silent auction. Time and place: 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Mallory, 5747 Commerce Street in St. Francisville. General admissions tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children. Sponsorships come with complimentary tickets: Pick of the Litter: $150–$299; Bark at the Blues: $300–$549; Yowl at the Moon: $550–$799; Finally Home: $800 and above. Visit bontempstix.com for tickets.
, some duties
Bank of Zachary - Universal Banker: Bank of Zachary is looking for a highly motivated individual to fill a Full-Time Universal Banker position. This position offers an exciting opportunity for candidates with prior teller, cash handling, customers service, or retail sales experience who are interested in beginning a career with opportunities for growth and development. Universal Bankers perform all Teller duties along with providing support in many aspects of retail with a broad knowledge of the bank’s products and services, along with account opening. Must be customer focused with ability to multitask and perform as a team player. Stable work history and high school diploma or GED required. 1-2 years prior/current banking, sales, cash handling, and/or customer service experience required. EEO/AA/M/F/ VETERAN/DISABLED. Send all resumes to hr@bankofzachary.com. MISCELLANEOUS/ ITEMS FOR SALE
FOR SALE: 1957 John Deere 420 – 2 Cylinder Gas Engine Tractor. ANTIQUE VALUE! Good Condition. Package deal: Bushhog, Discs, Hillers and Middle Buster. Cost $6,000. Contact Donald @ 225-278-1126
Now accepting enrollment for Summer and Full Time Care. A nurturing and safe environment for children to socialize, learn and grow. Also provides breakfast, lunch and two healthy snacks. Hours are 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. For more information: 225-721-0715
Cross Creek Cowboy Church. Sundays breakfast 9:30, service 10:30. 21160 Plank Road, Zachary. Come as you are. Crosscreekcowboychurch. com
