Gator Feeding Shows return to Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville

Alligator specialist Shannon Saurage sat on a large rock jutting out into “Gator Bayou” located in the hotel atrium at the Paragon Casino Resort as an enthralled crowd gathered around to watch her feed alligators with a feeding stick, and at times, just using her hand.

“We're excited to bring this back to the Marksville community,” said Joan Botts, vice president of marketing for the Paragon. “We used to do gator shows several years ago.”

The alligators in “Gator Bayou” are owned by Gator Country Louisiana in Natchitoches, she said.

The alligator park, which is the largest in Louisiana, is owned by Shannon and husband Gary Saurage.

“We really want to bring this level of excitement on the weekends to families. And not only give them a chance to learn more about gators but see them in action,” said Botts.

The Gator Feeding Shows are free and open to the public. Shows will be held at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. every Saturday until Aug. 12, said Botts. The shows will be tentative after Aug. 12 once students return to school.

“We really want to bring this level of excitement on the weekends to families. And not only give them a chance to learn more about gators but see them in action,” she said.

During the 30-minute show held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Leo Parfait gave an informative talk about the alligators. Parfait is the manager of Louisiana Gator Country in Natchitoches. During the show, the crowd grew larger as people passed through the atrium and stopped to watch Shannon feed the alligators. Many took out their phones to take photos and video. One woman even Facetimed her grandchild so she could watch. Parfait's wife Candace held smaller alligators for people to take photos of and pet during the show and afterwards a snake.

After each show, crowd members have a chance to hold and take photos with the smaller alligators and a snake.

“We had a really strong turnout so we’re excited," said Botts.

Colton Abshire and his three brothers were just a few of the excited children that made up most of the crowd. Colton said his favorite part of the show was watching the alligators eat the food. His brother Cullen liked seeing one of the alligators move. He named it “Wild Wild Crocodile” and the other one that’s wasn’t moving he named “Lazy Boy.” And brother Cayden said what he liked best about the show was the snake and watching the alligator climb on top of the rock.

The Abshires live in Lake Charles and were camping in the area. The family came to see the alligators in the atrium and just so happened to catch the feeding show.

“For me, I’ve been in the alligator business a long time but to be able to let a child really hold an alligator is incredible. You don’t teach them at all when they watch but when they touch that animal, I promise you, that’s when they learn,” said Saurage, who’s been in the alligator business for 20 years.

"We started our first alligator park in Beaumont, Texas, and then several years ago we bought one here,” he said of Gator Country Louisiana. “And then we have the one in South Padre Island, Texas.”

Saurage began his career in the nuisance alligator business.

“In other words, if you have an alligator in your pond or your pool in your backyard,” he said. “I started catching them for the Texas Department of Wildlife. Instead of killing them, I brought to parks and that's what got us here today - giving alligators a retirement home.”

On July 29, the Tunica-Biloxi Singers and Legendkeepers will perform “Traditional Songs & Stories of the Tunica Biloxi Tribe” after the shows.

“The alligator has a symbolic meaning for the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe and is woven into the Tunica creation story,” states a press release issued by the Paragon. Traditional song and stories about alligators, native flora and fauna found in South Louisiana will be shared.

For more information about the Paragon, visit www.paragoncasinoresort.com or call (800) 946-1946. For more information about Gator Country, visit www.gatorcountryla.com or call (318) 354-0106.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alligator feeding shows return to Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville