The year is 1975. Imagine the aroma of spicy seafood gumbo and the sound of zydeco music filling the air. It’s the Louisiana Catfish Festival, and right here in Des Allemands, the excitement is palpable. Des Allemands, a small fishing community southwest of New Orleans, is no stranger to festivals. But this year, something big is happening. Governor Edwin Edwards, with a twinkle in his eye and a love for all things Louisiana, declares Des Allemands the “Catfish Capital of the World”. The declaration sticks. Des Allemands, with its deep-rooted fishing traditions and the sprawling Lac des Allemands nearby, wears this title with pride. The community, founded by German immigrants in the 1720s, has always relied on the bounty of the lake and surrounding waterways. But the title of “Catfish Capital” cements Des Allemands’ place on the map. It’s a testament to the generations of fishermen who’ve cast their nets into these waters, bringing in hauls of catfish that are the stuff of legends.
Greater Saint Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church
Established 82 years ago this is Greater St Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church. It began in Uptown New Orleans with