SWAMP WOMEN

The Advocate, 13-Mar-2014: The Miss USA pageant will take place at the Baton Rouge River Center on June 8.

Officials gathered at the River Center Thursday morning to announce the news.

“Any opportunity we have to focus the eyes of the entertainment world on our community and on our state is just another feather in our cap,” said Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne. “You can’t put a dollar figure on how valuable that is.”

Contestants will stay at L’Auberge Casino Hotel during the competition.

Donald Trump, owner of the Miss Universe Organization, went on the Today Show Thursday morning to announce that this year’s Miss USA competition would be held in Baton Rouge.

 The contest will air from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT on NBC.

To lure the pageant to Baton Rouge, Visit Baton Rouge offered a $300,000 incentive package, including $50,000 for events to showcase Baton Rouge.

The state Office of Tourism also gave $50,000 to attract the event.

Leaders say it’s unclear how much of an economic impact the event will have, but they are expecting it to be a boon to the local economy.

Louisiana, including the Baton Rouge area, is know for its swamps...
this movie poster says it all...