09/17/2025
The Ancillary Committee for the SWLA Veterans Home and Cemetery would like to start by thanking our sponsors Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Matthew's Funeral Home, JD Bank, Acadian Ambulance, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, Lake Charles Toyota, Fred B. & Ruth B. Zigler Foundation, Navarre Auto Group, American Legion Post 77, Dillan Disposal, Bills Wreaker Service, Kenjabruch, Bubba Oustalet Chevrolet-Cadillac, Stine Lumber, and State Farm Insurance Ramsy Vincent. for making the 4th Annual Warriors Jambalaya Cook-off a huge success!! We couldn't have done it with out y’all. The weather was perfect and the event was bigger than ever. We had a total of 9 cooking teams, 10 vendors, and 30 cars. (Not a bad turnout for our 1st car show.)
This year we crowned our 1st King and Queen. Both were Veterans from the home. Our Queen is Ms. JoAnn Ellis, a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran from Muskegon, Michigan. Our King is Mr. Walter Gary, a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran who served in the Vietnam War.
We had 10 vendors who offered a little bit of everything for everyone. There was lemonade, leather works, wood crafts, smell goods, and homemade jams and jellies from Cajun Jacks Pepper Jelly by Jackie Prejean .
Our Touch-a-Truck event was a huge hit with the kiddos. There was a Coast Guard boat, a fire truck, Army Truck, and an ambulance from Acadian Ambulance.
We want to extend our apologies for the cancellation of the petting zoo. We received a last minute notification that they had a family emergency and wouldn’t be able to attend. Unfortunately, we were unable to replace them on such short notice. We pray for their family at this time.
As mentioned before, we had 30 vehicles compete for 1st place in their respective division, People's Choice, and Best in Show. The divisions were Classic, Muscle Car, Rat Rod, Jeep, Car/Truck, Motorcycle, Low
Rider, and Import. Our
Classic Car winner was Mr. Jack Broussard with his 1956 Chevy. He was also the recipient of the Best In Show Award. The Muscle Car winner was Mr. Ricky Louviere with his 1970 Charger. Taking home the Rat Rod Award was Mr. Bryson Almond and his 1920 Model A. Car/Truck 1st Place went to Mr. Bryan Rome of Baton Rouge with his Dragon Themed 2005 Corvette. Our Import winner was Mr. Trent Jonhson with his 2001 Honda S2000. And finally, our People's Choice was a 1962 Oldsmobile owned by Mr. Paul Williams.
Cook-off time. We had 9 teams compete. The judges had a hard time choosing the winners. They bragged on all of the jambalayas. Our winners for both Best Decorated Booth and People's Choice were Team Forget Me Nots. 3rd Place was R-C Neaux's Black Pot Warriors. 2nd Place went to Acadian Ambulance. And 1st Place award was won by the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Team Bookum. Congratulations to all our winners!
We look forward to seeing everyone again next year at the 5th Annual Warriors Jambalaya Cook-off and 2nd Annual Car Show to be held at the Jeff Davis Parish Fairgrounds. Thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting the SWLA Veteran's Home and Cemetery.
