Explore Houma celebrates outstanding community ambassadors at the Bayou Country Tourism Awards

Explore Houma recently celebrated the best in local tourism with its Louisiana’s Bayou Country Tourism Awards Luncheon, held at Cypress Columns in Gray, with the special honor of welcoming Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.

The event recognized and celebrated those who make significant contributions to Terrebonne Parish’s thriving tourism industry, which continues to draw visitors from around the world to experience the unique culture, cuisine and natural beauty of Louisiana’s Bayou Country.

Lt. Governor Nungesser addressed the audience with remarks on the importance of tourism for the state’s economy and praised Explore Houma’s dedicated efforts to promote Terrebonne Parish as a leading destination in Louisiana.

“We are thrilled to honor the outstanding people and organizations that make Louisiana’s Bayou Country an unforgettable destination,” said Sondra Corbitt, President and CEO of Explore Houma. “This event is a celebration of the passion and hard work exhibited by all of our partners, and we look forward to seeing our tourism community continue to flourish.”

The awards ceremony highlighted 10 outstanding individuals and organizations with unique contributions across various categories:

Crawfish Trail Blazer Award Winner – Boudreau & Thibodeau’s Cajun Cookin’

• Opened in 1998, Boudreau & Thibodeau’s offers authentic Cajun cooking and warm hospitality, and their food is sourced from top quality seasonal ingredients, featuring mainly local products. Their passionate desire to provide extraordinary value to guests in a high-energy, fun, child-friendly environment, along with a sincere commitment to support the communities in which they do business, goes to the heart of what differentiates them from other restaurants.

Love Where You Live Award Winner – Anne Picou

• Anne’s journey with Houma began over two decades ago. As Main Street Director, she has been instrumental in revitalizing and invigorating the downtown area, fostering community spirit and bringing economic growth to Terrebonne Parish. Also serving as Cultural Resources Director for Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, Anne’s leadership is characterized by a deep commitment to preserving and celebrating the unique cultural heritage of Houma.

Attraction of the Year Award Winner – Greenwood Gator Farm & Tours

• Greenwood Gator Farm and Tours, located in Gibson, is a family-owned farm known for its immersive and educational alligator tours. The gator farm, run by Tim “the gator man” Domangue, offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Louisiana’s wildlife and culture. As one of 12 gator farms in Louisiana, and the only place where people can tour a working gator farm, Greenwood Gator Farm has been instrumental in tourism.

Tourism Legacy Award Winner – Billy Gaston

• Captain Billy Gaston is the owner and operator of A Cajun Man’s Swamp Tour, one of Houma’s leading tourist attractions. For the last 10 years, Captain Billy has paved the way for the tourism industry and has dedicated his life to sharing the beauty and culture of Louisiana’s bayous. He provides visitors with a glimpse into the natural wonders and wildlife of our region and offers recommendations to experience other unique offerings in the area.

Excellence in Hospitality Award Winner – Comfort Inn & Suites

• As a top lodging option in the Houma area, Comfort Inn and Suites offers modern accommodations, designed to make both leisure and business travelers feel at home. Their staff are known for their exceptional friendliness and warm hospitality, ensuring every guest feels right at home from the moment they arrive. Their dedication to providing top-notch service, personalized care and attention to detail makes for a comfortable and welcoming stay.

Restaurant of the Year Award Winner – A-Bear’s Café

• A-bears Café is a family-owned and operated restaurant, started in February of 1963 by Albert “Curly” Hebert. The late Albert’s daughter Ginger now runs A-Bears, growing up in the restaurant and learning to cook from her father and grandmother. Known for their heartwarming and original recipes, such as Catfish A-Bear, Cup of Gumbo or their famous peanut butter pie, A-Bear’s is a local staple that draws in visitors from all over. Thanks to years of hard work and dedication, the beloved restaurant is still with us 61 years later.

Legislative Partner of the Year Award Winner – Kim Chauvin

• Kim Chauvin has been married to her high school sweetheart for 38 years, and together they have built a life filled with family and dedication to the seafood industry. Kim has spent 38 years in the shrimp industry, managing multiple businesses while expanding tourism, where she offers tours at her shrimp dock and processing facility, providing educational field trips to teach children about Louisiana’s thriving seafood industry.

Community Ambassador of the Year Award Winner – Daniel Babin

• A man of many hats, and a questionable love for boudin, Daniel found his calling after years in the oilfield, when he entered the wild world of marketing. Armed with creativity, wit and a knack for thinking way outside the box, Daniel ventured on his own and launched his career to help local businesses and organizations get the spotlight they deserve. He is a founding member of the Hache Grant Association and helped launch some of Houma’s most beloved events, including the Bayou Terrebonne Boucherie, The Maw Maw Walker, Luminate Houma and the legendary Weenie Spaghetti Fest.

Cultural Heritage Award Winner – Margie Scoby

• Raised on the bayou of Terrebonne, Margie learned of her family lineage at a very young age by her great-grandmother. She is the president and founder of Finding Our Roots African American Museum, opened in 2017 and the Mobile Museum opened in 2023. Margie pioneered research that has made her museum an educational and cultural attraction for locals and visitors to preserve African American history.

Bayou Country Festival of the Year Award Winner – Bayou Arts Fest

• Bayou Arts Fest is an annual celebration in Downtown Houma, bringing a diverse mix of local visual art displays, live performances and hands on activities for people of all ages. From traditional Cajun crafts and interactive art installations to live music performances ranging from Zydeco to jazz, the festival creates an immersive experience for visitors. Put on by the Bayou Regional Arts Council, the Fest has made a significant impact on tourism, attracting people from around the world.

About Explore Houma Tourism – Just 55 miles from New Orleans, Louisiana’s Bayou Country contains over 2500 square miles of mysterious swamps and vast wetlands. Terrebonne Parish offers unique attractions, affordable lodging and delicious dining that’s influenced by our Cajun culture and hospitality. Come experience all the exotic, the mysterious and flavorful excitement that’s found only in Louisiana’s Bayou Country.