Ascension Parish, Louisiana

Ascension Parish LA is an area in southeastern Louisiana consisting of 292 square miles of land. Fewer than 113,000 people call it home. Agriculture, mining and oil production, construction and the professional services anchor the economy. Residents send their kids to one of 28 parish schools. They attend Louisiana State University, Camelot College, Medical Training College and Louisiana Technical College for higher education. Ascension Parish is #8 on the Top 100 List of cities with the largest number of people moving in rather than moving out. Median house and condo value is somewhat better than state average. Musicians Sammy Kershaw, Better Than Ezra, Harry Connick, Jr., Wynton Marsalis and Aaron Neville are from Louisiana.

Ascension Parish is the site of a fork in the Mississippi River, Bayou Lafourche. Rivers change course occasionally and this happened in the year 1200. Bayou Lafourche branched off, sometimes visible, sometimes not. The Indians hunted, fished and lived along it, and helped settlers live in the area. In the 1500-1600s, the French and Spanish roamed Louisiana. While they argued over ownership, its inhabitants grew cotton, sugar cane, tobacco and indigo. In 1807, Ascension Parish was formed just before Louisiana became the 18th state in 1812. 

Ascension Parish is home to many parks, boat launches, golf courses and community centers. The parks have playgrounds and picnic facilities. Jambalaya Park boasts a sprayground, amphitheater, fishing pier, picnic tables and more. 

Town events are something new home owners seek to learn about their new surroundings. Laughter is good, especially when it's Sinbad and Bill Engvall making you laugh. Festivals are fun, so check out the Native American Powwow or the River Parishes Fall Festival. Check out the arts at Baton Rouge Arts & Crafts Gallery and the Christmas Tree Make & Take Craft Show. Keep the calendar open for the Harlem Globetrotters and the Gingerbread Job 5K Race and the 1 Mile Family Walk & Dog Walk. Click here for more events.

Attractions instruct us about our past and give us some fun. Tour the River Road Plantations for a look into Louisiana's storied past. Discover the history, cuisine and lives of the Native Americans, French, Spanish, Acadians and, yes, the pirates that inhabited the area.