The 2025 Louisiana Book Festival will be held on Saturday, November 1.
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Jay Dardenne

Home Featured Authors & Panelists Featured Participant Lineup Jay Dardenne

A Louisiana native, Jay Dardenne is a lawyer who has spent decades in public service. He was twice elected to serve as lieutenant governor and twice elected to serve as secretary of state. Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else! is a documentary and book collaboration with Louisiana Public Broadcasting. The documentary was based on a presentation he created in 2005, which has been performed to live audiences across Louisiana. The book is in collaboration with noted visual documentarian Carol M. Highsmith.

 

Schedule

9:15 am to 10:00 am

State Capitol, House Committee Room 6

Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi...or Any Place Else!

with Jay Dardenne and Linda Midgett

 

10:15 am to 11:00 am

Cavalier House Books Tent

Book Signing

Why Louisiana Ain't Mississippi...Or Any Place Else!

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is proud to offer the documentary companion book, Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else!, a collaboration with incredible visual documentarian Carol Highsmith and Jay Dardenne, one of Louisiana’s greatest ambassadors.
Filled with over 250 photos taken by Highsmith documenting the people, the places, and the culture of Louisiana, Why Louisiana Ain’t Mississippi… or Any Place Else! is a visual trip across our state, from New Orleans to Natchitoches. "I've been everywhere in America. I've been to all the states and I love them all, don't get me wrong, but Louisiana just knocks them off the block," says Highsmith. "I mean, it's unbelievable what Louisiana has to offer."