Less than seven miles from the Huey P. Long Bridge and with a backdrop of fantastic weather all weekend long, A.J. Catfish Bourgeois Park in Westwego hosted the 11th Annual Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest on Nov. 9-11. The local festival featured entertainment from bands and dance troupes, crafts and carnival rides.
The Huey P. Long Public Outreach Office manned a booth at the festival. There we met with local residents of all ages and talked with them about the bridge widening project and how it will affect them. We handed out free postcards, cups, pens and kick balls for the kids.
One of the things that stood out most to me this weekend was an elementary-aged girl we met. She walked right up to our display, and without hesitation pointed at a picture of the bridge and said, “That’s my bridge. I live right by it and see it everyday.” She’s right. It is her bridge. That’s one of the things we find when we go out into the community and talk about the project – we all think it’s our bridge.
So we want to hear your stories. What makes the Huey P. your bridge? Send us an email (to info@hueypbridge.com) with your contact information, age and your personal bridge story. Make the subject line "My Huey P." Of course, all submissions received will not be returned and become property of Louisiana's TIMED Program and may be used in future promotional campaigns.
The Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest was the first of what we hope to be many upcoming public appearances. We had a great time sharing stories – from hearing residents recall the first time they crossed the bridge, to accounts of uncles, fathers and grandfathers who helped on the original construction – its clear the bridge is part of our local history. With the widening project in full swing, it’s also a part of the future.