Ascension Parish Government and local businesses helped kick off the upcoming school year providing a day of fun and free school supplies during Saturday’s YouthFest 2026.
The East Bank event was held inside the REV Center at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center. The West Bank event is Aug. 1 at the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office WAG Center in Donaldsonville.
The popular YouthFest is touted by Ascension Parish Government as a day focused on education, resources, family-friend activities and preparing for a new school year.
Free school uniforms, backpacks, school supplies, youth physicals, and haircuts were offered during Saturday’s event.
OxyChem Geismar was the presenting sponsor and passed out more than 600 free backpacks.
Along with Ascension Parish Government, other civic organizations on hand included the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, Healthy Ascension and the city of Gonzales.
More than 40 businesses provided school supplies, games and food.
Hosting YouthFest is one way Ascension Parish Government hopes to help students get supplies needed for a fresh and successful school year.
“The YouthFest is a huge event for the parish and local vendors in Ascension Parish,” said Marshall Courtney, director of communications for Ascension Parish Government. “The community comes out to the YouthFest in droves. It’s a fun kickoff to the school year. We want to help assist families in every way we can.”
Courtney said the help of sponsors and their volunteers help make YouthFest an event that attracts thousands of families.
“OxyChem brought many volunteers, and it’s a good partnership with between them and Ascension Parish Government,” Courtney added. “All of the sponsors help make YouthFest successful.”
The Gonzales Jambalaya Festival Association, which provided jambalaya, was another long-standing organization to participate in YouthFest.
“It’s an amazing day today because so many families can get school supplies,” said Elizabeth Delaney, Teen Miss Gonzales Jambalaya. “Because they can receive some of their school supplies today, families can focus on more important things and get ready for the school year and help their children.
Delaney, a senior at East Ascension High School, said she was excited to see so many children enjoying themselves at YouthFest.
“Being able to receive backpacks and other supplies while having fun will help students get ready for a new school year,” Delaney said.
Healthy Ascension, who provides public health services, as well as community outreach, played games with children and passed out information during the event.
“I love seeing the community come together,” said Marcy Phillips, a Healthy Ascension registered nurse. “There were people waiting outside 30 minutes early. This is a great opportunity for those who may not have enough support to buy school supplies.”
For more information about the upcoming school year in Ascension Parish, visit .