A Publication of the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Al Dupré, Jr., Editor

PRESIDENT’s MESSAGE:

It's hard to believe another month has passed.  The weather has been fantastic, the fests have been profitable, and the roads have been long.  I first want to thank the Cypress Sawmill Festival group for hosting our board meeting the same day as their festival. 

I know it was hard for them, but they treated us royally.  Special thanks to the Sawmill Group for always coming through for LAFF.  I have been on the road constantly for LAFF.  If not at Festivals, I have been meeting with public officials to try and get more and better exposure for the local area fairs and festivals.  I have met with Cox Cable about expanding their public service time to offer some programs on the behind the scenes activity of Fairs and Festivals and just what it takes to put them together.  Hopefully, we will be calling on some fairs and festivals to interview and maybe tape some meetings for broadcasting.

The Fairs and Festivals that I attended since last month have been phenomenal.   The crowds great, the food looked good, and everyone told me it was delicious.   Cypress Sawmill had great entertainment, great displays, good food and a mid-way that was the center of attraction.  On Sunday Morning we ventured to Ponch- atoula for the Strawberry Festival they had a fantastic crowd.   The Festival board welcomed us, but wouldn't put us to work. We met up with Kaye Ladner at Ponchatoula and enjoyed the time we spent there.  We then journeyed back to Westwego to the Pot Pourri Festival and man, what a crowd.   The bands were the talk of the town and the people enjoyed the music so much, they just wouldn't stop dancing.  Congrats to Daniel Hill and his lovely wife on a fantastic first year Chairmanship.  The French Quarter Festival was a great success, 9 stages and entertainment throughout the quarter.  You couldn't go anywhere in the quarter and not enjoy the great music that New Orleans is famous for.  I do want to apologize to the Black Bear Festival for not being able to attend this inaugural year but will be there next year as a has been.  

                                                                    UPDATE!!!   UPDATE!!!!!

Kayla Woodson, the lovely young lady with the powerful voice who sang the National Anthem at this year’s convention has been chosen to perform with the Louisiana Cavalcade sponsored by Secretary of State Fox McKeithen.  She will be traveling the state performing with the group and I know she will make us proud.  By the way, did you know Kayla is from DISTRICT # 7, Waggaman Louisiana?  Kayla, we wish you all the best, and remember the little people, (me little?), when you make it big.

Your board of directors and executive officers adopted a new budget for the coming year.  I assure you that each and every member of your board had input and your best interest was always the most important factor in the decisions.  We covered a lot of important matters that you as members made evident to us in the evaluation sheets that were turned in.  We will strive to adhere to your requests for the good of the entire membership.  I can only request that each and every one of you try to complete an evaluation form at the next convention, we want your input.

  The next four weeks will be busy, busy.  Fairs and Festivals, awaiting my new Grandson (around May 20) and awaiting my surgery that will probably be sometime after May 22.  But, do not fear I will still be available until my surgery date and then about 2 weeks after surgery.  Don't be afraid to ask me to assist you in any way, Judging, Emceeing, what ever (I don't sing).  Call me or fax 504-328-5686, e-mail me at laffpres04@cox.net, and I will do my best to help.  Until next month, stay safe, stay dry, and above all stay profitable.

s/ Warren Deemer

President

  Vice President’s Message

"STEPPING OUT WITH LAFF"

Grab your top hat and cane and plan

Now on attending the LAFF Convention

February 17-20, 2005

Radisson Hotel, Baton Rouge

That’s right, we are already busy

Working on next year’s convention.

You won’t want to miss this one!

On Sunday March 21^{st, we had a very busy day. We started by attending the Iowa Rabbit Festival. They had great crowds the entire weekend with the beautiful weather. We then headed north to the Louisiana Gumbo Festival Children’s Pageant held in Ville Platte. After saying hello and watching several age divisions, we went on to the Washington Catfish Festival. There we met with Mayor Joseph Pitre and I had the privilege of having my picture taken for the newspaper with their cook-off winner, Mr. Alfred Dupree Jr. They too had a good crowd. The music was great and the food was wonderful. Late in the afternoon we stopped to say hello to friends at the Washington Catfish Festival Queen’s Pageant. All in all, it was a busy day for us.}

On March 27th, we attended the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Queen’s Pageant. The new location worked out quite well and they have a beautiful new queen. Congratulations Byron and crew for a job well done. We look forward to attending the festival in May.

On Sunday, March 28th, we held our Lake Charles CFMA Children’s Easter Egg Hunt and party. We had a great day with our Cajun band playing music and watching all the young children get to play the Cajun spoons and triangle and dance. They had a ball!

On Friday, April 2nd, we headed to Pine Prairie and the Boggy Bayou Festival. Bernice Ardoin did a very nice opening ceremony dedicating this year’s festival to their late Mayor and our armed forces. It was children’s night and they had a great crowd. All the proceeds from their festival go to support Prairie Manor Nursing Home. What a great cause!

On Saturday, April 3rd, we attended the LAFF quarterly meeting held in Patterson at the Cypress Sawmill Festival. David Bourdier, Linda Jennings, Nat Dehart, and their wonderful group served a delicious meal and provided us with a great meeting location. Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make this a great day for us. Many thanks. We enjoyed seeing the smoke rings made by the large engines and all the other interesting events at your festival.

On Sunday, April 4th, we headed to Ponchatoula for the Strawberry Festival. What a crowd they had! The weather could not have been better. We stopped in at the Strawberry Board’s new office to say hello and visited for a short time with Jeff, Emily and an old friend, Beverly Penn. The berries were great this year and the shortcake was wonderful.

On Thursday night, April 8th, we attended the Louisiana Railroad Days Festival and Queen’s Pageant. Our reigning Queen of Queens, Miss Taryn Sanford, gave up her Railroad Days title that night. Taryn also performed several songs. Thanks Taryn for a job well done.

On Friday night, April 16th, we went to Niblet’s Bluff to see the beginning staging for the reenactment of the Battle of Niblet’s Bluff. Although they had not officially begun yet, it was enjoyable to see so many Civil War tents and equipment set up. We spoke with Annette Arabie and she gave us their schedule. It will be great. If you ever have the time, don’t miss this. It is in a beautiful park setting right on the river and the Civil War artifacts make it worth the trip.

Saturday, April 17th, we will have the privilege of judging the Louisiana Corn Festival Queen’s Pageant in Bunkie.

As you can see, we are staying on the road and loving every minute of it. Louisiana is a great state and LAFF is a great organization. At the Board meeting on April 3rd, we reviewed all the convention evaluation sheets. We encourage everyone to complete these because it is the way we will make LAFF better.

People suggested new faces for the Board. We invite any one interested in serving to please run for office or a seat on the board. It is great to have new people and new ideas. If you are interested then by all means RUN FOR OFFICE AT CONVENTION 2005! We congratulate our new District 2 representative, Mrs. Equalla Victorian from the Allen Parish Fair. Many of you know Equalla because she is the mother of our past Queen of Queens, Clara Victorian. We look forward to working with Equalla and know she will be an asset to our organization.

If you have any suggestions, comments, or concerns, please contact your representative or any officer of the Board. If you need help with anything, we are all here to serve and assist in any way possible.

Our next Board meeting will be held Saturday, July 24th, at the Washington Parish Fair Grounds in Franklinton. Come and see how your Board conducts business.

We wish everyone a safe and prosperous event with bright blue skies and large, hungry crowds!

Your Vice President

s/Rob Piraro

………………………………………………….

Treasurer's report:

 "I would like to first thank everyone for the kind words and well-wishes I received at Convention. My wife is doing fine, and we are so grateful to everyone for their thoughts and prayers. I would also like to thank everyone who pulled my weight, because I'm not easy weight to pull!

 I would also like to point out that we have included the 2004 Marketing Awards winners in this month's newsletter. Congratulations to everyone who won, and thank you again to our gracious sponsor, Grand Casino Coushatta of Kinder, La. Leave an extra few dollars next time you're there....

 It is my pleasure to introduce to everyone our new Breaux Bridge Crawfish Queen, Lauren Naquin. Lauren is currently a senior at Teurlings Catholic High. Contact her through our festival office at 337-332-6655, or by mail at P O Box 25, Breaux Bridge, LA 70517.

I would introduce to you our new District III Representative, but I think Dennis Mouton may have already visited you! Dennis has hit the ground running and is doing a fantastic job of representing D-III! If he hasn't been to you yet, he will be soon. Look for tremendous things for D-III in the future.

 As Treasurer, I can report that this past convention was a successful one, and by that I mean profitable. With the record attendance numbers, we once again showed a profit, while keeping registration fees as low as possible. If you compare our registration fees with other trade conventions, we continue to offer Fairs and Festivals an affordable avenue to educate, entertain, and network. That is important, as we are all volunteers. Some of us pay individually, while others are fortunate enough to have their events pick up the tab. We continue to keep that in mind when determining our prices. We do not do this for the purpose of making a profit, but we must follow a budget, and that we do.

 Speaking of budgets, in March we increased the travel budgets of our District Directors, and that will allow them more flexibility in meeting with you, as well as attracting new members. Look for them to be in your neighborhood. Also, in keeping with the thought of accessibility, Gale LuQuette with LA Cattle has included the newsletter on our website! PLEASE, those of you reading this, pass this information on at your next meeting, and remind your members to bookmark the LAFF address. That way, more of the members can read it, without one person having to get copies to everyone.

 Should you wish to contact me, do so at my e-mail address. Quality1@msis.net I will be happy to answer your questions.

 s/Byron Blanchard

Treasurer

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SECRETARY’s REPORT

Highlights of LAFF Spring Meeting, April 3rd Patterson, LA. Warren Deemer thanked everyone that helped make the convention a success.

                                                        GMAC Demand Note 26,030.54

                                                        MidSouth Bank 12,684.82

                                                        Patterson State Bank 6,524.97

                                          Total Checking/Savings 45,240.33

                                          Total Current Assets 45,240.33

                                                        Opening Bal Equity 42,369.60

                                                        Retained Earnings 14,190.02

                                                        Net Income -11,319.29

                                       Total Equity 45,240.33

Secretary Al Dupré noted he had applications for the following:

Lawtell Crawfish Boat Festival Blue Merlot (Band)

Sausage Cook Off - Lafayette Accessories, Inc.

Louisiana Wildlife & Whitetail Festival-

                                       District #2 – 21

                                       District #3 – 27

                                       District #4 – 21

                                       District #5 – 7

                                       District #6 – 13

                                       District #7 – 17

                                                                              Sub Total ---------- 121

                                       Carnivals ---- 6

                                       Talent -------- 9

                                       Associates -- 34

                                                                              Sub Total ----------- 49

Queen of Queens, Taryn Sanford, in addition to her many events she has attended, served as the trophy queen of the Thunder Valley Raceway - from this her picture will be published in several national car racing magazines.

Rob Piraro, Vice-President/Convention Chairman made the following committee assignments:

A. Convention - Rob Piraro & Barbara Horaist Co-Chair.

B. Hall of Fame - Cheryl McCarty (Chair), Kaye Ladner and Barbara Horaist

C. Registration - Al Dupré

D. Trade Show - Neal Horaist

E. Workshops - Kaye Ladner

F. Decorations - Kurt & Lydia Dempster, Kaye Ladner & Janet Piraro

G. Hospitality - T. C. Cary

H. Nominations, Credentials, & Elections - J. H. Martin

I. Pageant Director - Barbara Horaist

J. Pageant Coordinator - Janet Piraro

K. Essay Contest - David Bourdier

L. Poster Contest - Kaye Ladner

M. Awards Committee - Dennis Mouton (Byron Blanchard assisting)

N. Sponsorship - Anyone and everyone

O. Seating & Tickets - Al Dupré, Curtis Hue & Byron Blanchard

P. Auction - Curtis Hue

Q. Door Prizes - Officers & Directors

R. Entertainment - Norman Land

S. Evaluations - Kaye Ladner (Barbara Horaist & Equilla Victorian)

T. General Store - Paul McGee

U. Half "N" Half - Neal Horaist (Carlotta Toups assisting)

V. Tech. Production - Al Dupré, Jr., Neal Horaist & Kaye Ladner

W. Queen Door Decorations - Amy Jones Garsee

X. Sergeant-At-Arms - Kenny Guidry

Y. Signage - Equilla Victorian

Z. Ditty Bags - Kurt Dempster

AA. Welcome Desk - Equilla Victorian

Kaye Ladner distributed a compilation of evaluations of the convention. Several were discussed to improve the convention. Rob Piraro suggested we all review the critique to discuss at the next meeting.

Janet Piraro reviewed the proposed Queen’s packet 2005 - "Stepping out with L.A.F.F."

District #2 Director – from the nominations received, President Deemer recommended Equilla Victorian of the Allen Parish Fair to complete the term as District #2 Director. This was approved by the Board.

Womanless Beauty Pageant - not planning to charge for admission in 2005 and start at 8:30 p.m.

Newsletter - It was noted that for a $12/year subscription, the secretary will mail a monthly newsletter to additionally subscribing members.

Treasurer - Byron Blanchard submitted a proposed budget for 2004.

President Deemer announced the next meeting will be on July 24th at the Washington Parish Free Fair and the October meeting will be in Alexandria or hosted by Westwego Fest.

s/ Al Dupré

Secretary

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PAST PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:

Wouldn't it be nice if all the Louisiana fairs and festivals could have the wonderful weather conditions that we have had lately?! Neal and I have taken advantage of the lovely spring weather by going up to our camp in North Louisiana and either turkey hunting or just chilling out.

On Saturday, March 27, Linda Comeaux and I spent the day with Dennis and Natalie Mouton at the Mardi Gras Gumbo Festival Pageant in Ville Platte and the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Pageant in Henderson. We had a great time at both events and got to eat at the famous Vidrine's in Lewisburg between the two functions!

Many thanks go out to the Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival for sponsoring our last LAFF board meeting in Patterson on April 3. Not only were we treated to a great lunch, but we also got to attend their festival that afternoon. Thanks, David and gang! I also got to visit with Gus Mitchell of the Mitchell Brothers Carnival that day.

The next day, April 4, Linda Comeaux, Mooney Moss, and I had the pleasure of judging the Church Point Buggy Festival Pageants for babies through 16-year-olds. As usual, we were treated royally by T.C. Cary, Virgie Courville, and their committee!

On Thursday, April 8, Neal had a hunting club meeting in Shreveport. So we decided to meet LAFF board member Amy Garsee and her husband Jeff for supper at Posada's. It was great seeing them and socializing with them!

If any fair or festival would like either Neal or me to assist you in any way, please feel free to call us at 337-893-6328 or email us at bnhoraist@bellsouth.net. That is our new email address!! We would be glad to judge your pageant or other events, attend your festival/fair, etc. Just let us know.

s/Barbara T. Horaist,

Past President

================================

District #3 Director

Congratulations to the newly crowned District 3 Queens.

Couirer de Mardi Gras....Angelique Watson

Washington Catfish......Tayrn Wyble

Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival…Lauren Naquin

Lawtell Crawfish Boat...... Mia Stanford

Etouffee Queen...Leslie Simone Mouton (Who’s your daddy)

Upcoming Events:

-April 30, May 1 & 2 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival

-May 1, Celebration of Herbs and Gardens, Sunset, La.

-May 15.....Sausage Cook-Off Festival (Acadian Village)

-June 4......La Cajun Culture and Music Club in Eunice, La.

Thanks,

Dennis Mouton

D#3D

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Message from District IV

        The news is good for District IV.  We are having great weather and even greater festivals.  Spring is a wonderful time to visit our friends around the state.  What better way to spend a week-end than at a festival enjoying friends & family with good food & fellowship.

         I want to thank the Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival board and David Bourdier for hosting our LAFF board meeting last month.   They did an outstanding job for us.  The festival was great and once again, the weather was perfect. NO One should ever miss the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.   I was amazed at the crowd there this year.  I have never seen that many motorcycles in one small town.  The organizers continue to do a fantastic job year after year.  Congratulations to all of you for the job you do.  I am looking forward to attending your pageant in June.

         The Southeast Tourism Society recognizes unique and diverse events in our region.  In 1985 they began the Top 20 Events Program.  For every month of the year, STS selects 20 of the top events across the Southeast and publishes them quarterly.  This publication goes to over 300 publications.  Events selected for the Top 20 enjoy free, widespread publicity that they might not otherwise receive, and have the honor of being included in this prestigious list of special events and festivals.   If you are interested in this program, their web address is www.southeasttourism.org.   You can pull up the application form.  It is very simple but there are time restraints so don't put it off.  You may be one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast and get great FREE publicity for your event.

         I want to express my thanks to Rose Arceneaux for the outstanding job she has done for the past two years as treasurer of LAFF.  Rose put our accounting on computer and brought our bookkeeping up to date.  We now have a system that is easily accessible.  Thanks Rose.   And, what can I say;  Karen McDonald has served as District IV Director for the past three years and did an outstanding job.  Karen was responsible for the Poster Contest under her leadership; we had more posters entered than ever before.  I think Karen and her sister Sharon are to be commended for working so hard for this organization.  We will miss having Rose and Karen at our board meetings but will enjoy visiting with them at their events and seeing them at convention each year.  We may even put them to work if they aren't careful.   And I must say that we will miss the job that Curtis has done for the past fifty years (or whatever), also.   We'll visit you and put you to work too.

          Remember, if you need my help with your event, PLEASE contact me.  I am interested in working with all of you and willing to judge your parade, food contests, and your pageant or just sit and enjoy your entertainment with you.  I can sell t-shirts; take up tickets at the gate or even direct traffic.  CALL ME!!! 985-839-7840 or e-mail me at wpfairlady@yahoo.com.   I am excited about serving on the board for the next three years and look forward to visiting your event.

 s/Kaye Ladner