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L. A. F. F.
Email: laffadupre@yahoo.com
Website: laffnet.org
A Publication
of the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals
Al Dupré, Jr., Editor
May 2007
PRESIDENT’s MESSAGE:
Greetings LAFF Friends
We are well into springtime and flowers are in full
bloom, which for Louisiana, means fairs and festivals are also in full
bloom. The weather has been generally good for our events.
Vice-President Jim and his committees are busy planning
the 2008 convention, which will again be at the Holiday Inn Select in Baton
Rouge. I want to thank those that have volunteered to assist with the
convention and want to encourage others to step forward and do the same. If
you would like to help with anything, just give Jim a call or let your Board
representative know. I feel certain you will enjoy the convention more and
we certainly welcome your time and talent. Workshops are the way we help
each other and learn from one another. If there is a specific workshop that
you would like to attend or to host, please let us hear from you. We always
welcome recommendations.
Mark your calendars for
next year’s convention – February 21 - 24,
2008 at the Holiday Inn Select in Baton Rouge.
If you need help with anything, please do not hesitate
to contact me. I am here to assist your organization in any way I can. I
look forward to serving this year as L.A.F.F. President and to attending as
many functions as possible.
I hope to see you soon.
In the spirit of LAFF, sincerely
s/ Paul Magee
VICE-PRESIDENT’s MESSAGE:
LOVE PEACE LAFF
We are now going into the
month of May. The festival season is now in full swing. If you are looking
for something to do on a weekend then you are in luck, just look around and
there will be a festival for you and your family to enjoy, go out and have
fun while helping another festival.
My wife and I had the pleasure of attending the Breaux Bridge
Crawfish Festival Pageant. We had a great time visiting with the crawfish
people and the members of the LAFF board that were on hand to see Mallory
relinquish her Crawfish title. It is always a pleasure to see and converse
with her whenever we cross paths. Of course there is little time to visit
with her as she stays busy with all her Queen duties. Great job Mallory keep
up the good work.
On April 21 & 22 we were at the Etouffee Festival Queens Pageant. The
children’s pageant was on the Saturday and the Teen, Ms, & Miss on Sunday. I
would like to congratulate all the winners. The new Miss Queen is Paige
Broussard. I know she will be a great ambassador for the Etouffee Festival.
Also I would like to congratulate the new Ms. Etouffee Queen, Clara
Victorian. She is now in District 3 for one year so District 2 will have to
wait until she gives up her title to get her back. On the weekend of April
27 – 29 was the Etouffee Festival. We had a beautiful weekend with large
crowds, lots of food and lots of fun.
I need to address an issue on the convention for a minute. All the
rooms at Holiday Inn Select are booked; I am now in the process in getting
with other hotels in the area to accommodate our convention. Please be
patient and we will do our best to get extra rooms. Keep checking with the
hotel, they may have cancellations closer to convention. If rooms become
available we will pass it on to our membership. I must ask again that as
soon as your queen is chosen please call the hotel direct, not the 800
number, and give them your festival name with your queen’s name and a credit
card number so the queen’s room can be confirmed. Once we know how many
queens will be attending convention then we may have a few extra rooms. We
want our queens to be safe and comfortable for the convention. If anyone has
any questions please call or email me or a board member and someone will try
to help.
LOVE - PEACE - LAFF
s/ Jim Meaux
SECRETARY’s MESSAGE:
On some sad news, past president, Dennis Mouton
(Erath’s 4th of July Celebration) lost a nephew after a long
battle with cancer. Funeral services were held on April 26th in
Scott, LA for Dennis’ nephew Darrien “Dee” Joseph Thibodeaux. “Dee” was born
on May 25, 1997 and went to meet the Lord on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 after a
six year battle with leukemia. Darrien was a star pupil in school, a master
at video games, and an aspiring guitar player. Cancer, it seems, affects
everyone; after having lost a sister to it I feel even more empathy for
Dennis and Natalie.
Please make the information in the newsletter available
to your fair/festival members. If you wish anyone else in your event to
receive the newsletter via email, please either type or print very clearly
these email addresses and send to laffadupre@yahoo.com. Also, check the
website (www.laffnet.org)
for the newsletter, updates and other member information.
If you need any help with your fair or festival,
especially in judging a pageant or other type of contest or just needing
any assistance in general, please send an e-mail to: GOTOBUTTON BM_1_
laffadupre@yahoo.com or call me at: 985-447-4658 or write: 2402 Elizabeth
Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
DISTRICT 6 DIRECTOR
Hello from District 6! We have been having a lot of
pretty weather in our area. It's a busy time of the year. Ball season is
starting, school is about to be over for the summer and there is always a
festival to attend. Looks like its ball and festivals in my near future!
On March 30th, I attended the Ashland Spring Festival
gospel singing. There was a good crowd. Midway Carnival was setting up
their rides and games. Local people got a chance to showcase their talents;
singing, dancing and such. On March 31st, I watched the parade and attended
the Queen's Social/Tea. I was in charge of the cake-off contest. We had 21
cakes that were entered into the contest. Special thanks to State
Representative Taylor Townsend and Natchitoches Parish Sherriff Victor Jones
for being our judges. I know they had a tough job. This was the first year
that Ashland has had a carnival at the festival. Just our luck it had to
rain. There was a good crowd, but I know a lot of people stayed at home
because of the rain. Hopefully, we can get the carnival back again next
year. The LA Hayride Group performed and entertained the crowd in the
afternoon.
On the night of March 31st, I attended the Battle of
Pleasant Hill Ball. The newly crowned 2007 Battle of Pleasant Hill Queens
were presented. They shared the first dance with their escorts. The Queens
wore their Civil War reenactment costumes. There were approximately 100
people there to enjoy the court presentation, food and dancing.
The first Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival Beauty Pageant
was held April 7th. The pageant went well. I helped audit for the
pageant. Their pageant director is Helen Tousek. The Natchitoches Jazz/R&B
Festival is a new member of LAFF. I would like to welcome them to our
organization and hope to see them at convention next year. Kasmine Charles
is the festival’s new Miss Queen.
On April 14th, I attended the Battle of Pleasant Hill
parade, Queen's Tea/Social and the reenactment. Even with the cold
weather, there was a huge turnout. That night, we attended the Soldier's
Ball. In order to participate, you must have on a period costume. So all
the women wore a Civil War period dress and the men wore their battle suit.
Some of the dances were the Patty Cake Polka, Virginia Reel, Grand March and
waltz to name a few. Most of the dances were group dances. It was a lot of
fun. The reenactors were from all over the United States. It was
interesting meeting and talking with everyone. On the 15th, we visited the
Soldier's campground and all the shops. The 2006 Battle Queen, Katelyn
Yates, gave us some history on the Battle and the only remaining building,
the Dogtrot House. The reenactment started at 2 both Saturday and
Sunday. Sunday's crowd was a good bit bigger than Saturdays. I am sure it
had a lot to do with the weather being a little warmer.
On Friday, April 20th, I attended the Natchitoches
Jazz/R&B Festival. Friday night was college night. So, needless to say it
was not "my" kind of music. But, nevertheless, they had a big turnout and
everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. I was invited to attend
Kasmine Charles' Queen's Social at Mama's Oyster House on Front Street that
night. Kasmine had about 14 queens present making it about 30 people in
attendance. After we ate and visited, we all went on a trolley tour of
Natchitoches. We then all went down on the riverbank and listened to
music. The Queens introduced themselves and entered a screaming contest,
where the prize was $300. Surprisingly as this may sound, they did not
win! Yes, even with none other than the Queen of Queens, Mallory Spinner,
there to help them out, they did not win. In my opinion, they should have
because you know we have some "loud" Queens. I think they were definitely
robbed!! On Saturday, April 21st, the crowd double Friday nights crowd.
They had three different stages playing music throughout the day. Edgar
Winter, Monte Montgomery and Sam the Sham were among some of the groups
performing over the weekend. Congratulations to Rodney Harrington and Jon
Evans, festival directors, for a festival well done!
I have been talking with the Goldonna Saltworks
Festival about joining our organization. I plan to attend their next
meeting and give them information on LAFF. Their festival is usually in the
fall of the year. I look forward to working with their festival. I have
also talked with the Sabine Parish Fair about becoming a member to LAFF
again. I believe years ago they were members of LAFF. They are
contemplating having a pageant for the fair as a fundraiser.
The Robeline Heritage Festival Pageant is May 5th at
the Natchitoches Event Center. I have been helping them with getting
contestants, doing their programs and making contestant numbers. I will
also attend the pageant and help with the auditing. Their 2006 Queen,
Savannah Wallace, plans a picnic lunch in the park for her Queen's day.
On May 6th, I plan on attending the LPJA Pageant
Extravaganza at the Rayne Civic Center. It sounds like it will be very
informative for judges, directors as well as contestants. May 10th thru May
13th is the Cochon de Lait Festival in Mansura. Last year, I judged
several competitions including the hog calling, hog imitating, boudin eating
contest and several others. I am been practicing my hog calling all year to
be able to enter in the women's division. I'll let you know if I bring home
the trophy!! (just joking, by the way!) These competitions are quite
entertaining for all ages I assure you!
Zwolle Loggers and Forestry Festival is May 11th and
12th. I look forward to visiting their festival on the 11th. Last year,
they had a good turn out. Hopefully, the weather will be good and lots of
people will come out to enjoy the festivities.
As in many districts, this is a busy time of the
year for District 6. If anyone in my district needs my help with anything,
please let me know. I will do my best to make myself available. Have a
good month and may God bless you!
s/Alisa Yelverton
DISTRICT 7 DIRECTOR
Greetings from District 7. As we enter into another
summer season, it appears there is no excuse not to find something
interesting to do, or somewhere to find great cuisine from our Fairs and
Festivals around Louisiana. I hope the weather has been great for all the
festivals and fairs and maybe the weather will remain as beautiful as it has
been for the past few weeks.
I want to extend the condolences of District 7 to
Mallory Spinner our Queen of Queen’s and her family on the loss of her
grandmother. I attended the services and know where Mallory gets her
personality and smile from. To the entire family, our thoughts and prayers
are with you. Also, we wish Ronnie Lougon a speedy recovery from surgery.
From the e-mails lately, he seems to be getting back in the swing
prematurely. Ronnie, take care and get well soon, we need the Jell-O Shots
for the convention.
On the 24th March I had the honor of attending the
Cajun Hot Sauce Festival Queens reception. Monica Suire was a fantastic
Queen and is such a brilliant and pleasant young lady. I wish to personally
thank her for the kind words as she addressed the gathering and to assure
her that she touched my heart with her comments. Monica will be a driving
force in the business world and I want to wish Monica the very best in all
her endeavors. Also on the 24th I had the honor of emceeing the
Black Bear Pageant. Thanks to Tess Franks and her entire committee for
making us feel like part of the family. On the 31st of March we
had our quarterly board meeting in Patterson during the Cypress Sawmill
Festival. We got a blessing as the meeting ended with a torrential
downpour, but the skies cleared and the festival continued with great
success. I had the opportunity to visit the Oak Alley Plantation Spring
Fest, the weather was beautiful on Sunday, a little cool but the grounds,
the house and the crafts were just unbelievable; it appeared to be another
success. On the 30th of March I attended the Louisiana Crawfish
Festival in Chalmette. I want to commend the Knights of Columbus for a
fantastic job and a successful event, but more so for helping so much to
bring the annual festivities back to the parish. I can assure that Cisco,
Fred and the entire council want to bring the parish back to life as it was
before the hurricane. On April 7th, members of the board
attended the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Associations Queens pageant.
We felt just like family, and were treated as such. Mallory Spinner
relinquished her title, and is now our Queen of Queens, OK Byron, no more
sharing. On April 14th I attended the Louisiana Crawfish
Festival Pageant. I was honored to be present and as a brother Knight felt
like I was home again. On April 22, I had the honor of judging the St. Joan
of Arc Spring Festival Pageant, along with two lovely former queens Miss
Candace DeNoux and Miss Rachael Bourgeois, and believe me, the pleasure was
all mine. Also on the 22nd on the return home I stopped by the
OLPS Pot Pourri Festival in Westwego. The food smelled great, the crowd was
unbelievable, and the entertainment was fantastic. Danny Hill and his
lovely wife and the entire Pot Pourri board are to be commended on another
successful event.
Now that I have a moment or two to sit at the computer
and put this report together, I want to take time to thank Jim Meaux for the
great job he is doing on putting the 2008 convention together. It appears
that Jim wants to coast after Christmas and relax until the opening of the
convention. But, he is still willing to accept any assistance from anyone
interested. If you want to play a part in this convention, contact Jim and
let him know
I still am asking all members to contact any fair or
festival that is in your area and is not a member of LAFF, encourage them to
join. Remember this is your organization, and it will only get better and
bigger if you recruit new members.
Until June, I wish you all fair weather, wind at your
back and sun in the sky as we continue to make Louisiana shine through our
Fairs and Festivals.
s/
Warren Deemer
QUEEN
of QUEEN’S
After our Board meeting on March 31st, I traveled to
Lake Charles for the crowning of the 2007 Miss Contraband Days Queen, Morgan
Murray. I returned to Patterson on April 1st to enjoy the Cypress Sawmill
Festival. I placed second in the Passe Patout contest with my partner Lauren
Frederick, Miss La. Cajun Food Fest. I rode a train around the festival
grounds and held a 5 week old tiger!
The following weekend was bitter sweet as I
relinquished the title of 2006 Crawfish Queen. I
entertained over 40 visiting queens in my hometown of
Breaux Bridge. We crawfished in a nearby pond and watched as Leah Domingues
was crowned the 2007 Crawfish Queen. I would like to thank the Breaux Bridge
Crawfish Festival Association for their continuous support. To all of the
visiting queens and their moms: thank you all for stepping in and helping me
the night of the pageant. You are all wonderful people and my mom and I
appreciate all of you help. Thanks to all of the LAFF Board members who were
there to support me that night. Although this has been a difficult month,
the beautiful flowers and words of encouragement I have received from the
LAFF Board have made it easier for my family and me.
I followed the tracks to DeQuincy on April 12th for the
Louisiana Railroad Days Pageant. Despite a brief interruption from a passing
train, the pageant and festival was a great success! Courtney Shaw will have
opportunity to represent this great festival! Saturday, April 14th, I
returned to Ponchatoula for the Louisiana Strawberry Festival. The visiting
queens bonded as we huddled together on our float to dodge the rain. Soaking
wet, we had a great time walking around the festival and introducing
ourselves on the bandstand. It turned out to be a beautiful day and an
excellent festival! That night I found myself in Chalmette for the Louisiana
Crawfish Pageant as Whitney Blaine Nielson was crowned their queen for 2007.
After the pageant, the Knight of Columbus treated everyone to delicious
gumbo! Sunday morning I judged the Miss and Teen Miss Morgan City, Miss
Berwick and Miss Patterson pageants. Lindsay Hotard relinquished her title
and four beautiful young ladies were given the opportunity to represent
their hometowns.
Natchitoches was my destination on April 20th as I
traveled to the Jazz and R/B Festival. I had the opportunity to meet some
very wonderful queens and take a trolley ride around this historic town.
The music was wonderful and the queens participated in a scream contest for
a local radio station! I had an amazing time and can't wait to return to the
area.
On April 21st my mom and I traveled to Plaquemine's
Parish for a great philanthropy event.
I met up with Ashley Johnson, Orange Festival Queen;
Leisha Brocato, La. Shrimp and Petroleum Queen; Amanda Perrin, La. Honey Bee
Queen; Brandy Matulich, La. Yambilee Queen; and Bridget Arceneaux, La.
Strawberry Festival Queen. Operation Playground is sponsored by an
organization called Kaboom and is devoted to building playgrounds in the
Gulf Coast region. We had the opportunity to build the 47th playground in
the area devastattted by Hurricane Katrina. It was a very rewarding and fun
experience that my mom and I enjoyed thoroughly! I traveled to the other
side of the state that night as I visited the Mrs. Louisiana America pageant
in Lake Charles. Mrs. Janet Piraro put on a wonderful pageant!
My weekend ended close to home on April 22nd as I
visited Arnaudville for the Etouffee Festival Pageant. I watched as Michelyn
Bernard relinquished her title to Paige Broussard, the 2007 Etouffee
Festival Queen. The month ended with a trip to Bunkie for the Louisiana Corn
Festival Queens Pageant on April 28th. It was a night with the stars as
Kaitlyn Mayeaux was crowned the new queen by Carly Lapoint. School is
ending, but festival season is heating up as summer approaches! I can't
wait to see where I'll end up next!
s/
Mallory Spinner
Convention 2008
“Love, Peace & L.A.F.F.”
Holiday Inn Select Baton Rouge
February
21 - 24, 2008
EVENTS TO ATTEND
With the recent storms, information
has been updated as available, always call before going!
May 2007 Events
District
#
Bogalusa Festival in the Park (4)
Bogalusa, LA 70427 Event Dates
11th thru 13th
Marilyn
Bateman 225‑735‑5731
E-mail:
bogalusachamber@ bellsouth.net
Breaux Bridge
Crawfish Festival (3)
Breaux
Bridge, LA 70517 Event Dates 4th
,thru 6th
Byron
Blanchard 337-332-6655
Email:
info@bbcrawfest.com
Celebration of Herbs and Garden (3)
Sunset,
LA. 70584
Event Dates 5th
Vivian
Oliver 337-662-3542
Email:
herblady@centurytel.net
Cochon de Lait Festival (6)
Mansura,
LA 71350 Event Dates 10th
thru 13th
Angele
Quebodeaux 318-253-7299
Email:
chamber@cochondelait.com
Contraband Days Festival (2)
Lake
Charles, LA 70602 Event Dates 1st
thru 14th
Annette
Richie 337-436-5508
Website:
www.contrabanddays.com
Jambalaya Festival (4)
Gonzales, LA 70737 Event
Dates 24th thru 27th
Pam
Haydell 225-675-5887
Website:
jambalayafestival.org
Little Red Church Food & Fun Festival (7)
Destrehan, LA. 70047 Event
Dates 4th, 5th & 6th
Ronald C
Rodrigue 985-764-6383
Email:
rroddriguue@archdiacese-no.org
LA
Cajun Food Fest (3)
Kaplan,
LA 70548
Event Date 12th
Lisa
Saltzman 337-652-5027
Karen
Guilbeau 337-988.7745
Our Lady of Prompt Succor Tomato
Festival (7)
Chalmette, LA 70043
Event Dates 5th & 6th
Michael
Fernandez 504-250-9151
Poke
Salad Festival (5)
Blanchard, LA 71009
Event Date 12th
Pete
Copes 318-929-2789
Sacred Heart Spring Festival (6)
Oakdale,
LA 71482 Event Dates 4th,
5th & 6th
W. G.
Lee 318-335-1823
Email:
Joecrawfo3@aol.com
Starks Mayhaw Festival (2)
Starks,
LA 70661 Event Dates
18th thru 20th
Evelyn
C. White 337-743-6297
Sulphur Heritage Festival (2)
Sulphur,
LA 70665 Event Dates
26th &27th
Chassidy
Dupont 337-527-0357
Email:
cdupont@brinstonemuseum.org
Thibodaux Firemen’s Fair (1)
Thibodaux, LA 70301 Event
Dates 3rd thru 6th
Foye
Lirette 985-446-3247 (FAIR)
Email:
ThibFireDept@Charter.net
Zwolle Logger & Forestry Festival (6)
Zwolle,
LA 71486 Event Dates 11th
thru 13th
Wanda
Ezerwack 318-645-4307
Fax:
318-645-2278
June 2007 Events
Church Point Buggy Festival (3)
Church
Point, LA 70525 Event Dates 1st
thru 3rd
Theresa
Cary 337-684-2739
Fax:
337-684-2739
City of Opelousas Spice & Music Festival (3)
Opelousas, LA 70570 Event
Dates 1st thru 3rd
Cynthia
Richard 337-948-5227
www.opelousasspiceand musicfestival.com
Gheens Bon Mangé Festival (1)
Gheens,
LA 70355 Event
Dates 2nd & 3rd
Kerney
Toups 985‑532‑5694
Email:
martinez@lafouch.gov
Greater Mandeville Seafood Festival (4)
Mandeville, LA 70470 Event Dates
29th, 30th & 7/1
Bill
Dobson 985-624-9762
Email:
whd@seafoodfest.com
LA
Corn Festival (6)
Bunkie,
LA 71322 Event Dates 8th
thru 10th
Phyllis
O’Quin 318-346-2575
Email:
Email:
bunkiechamber@kricket.net
LA
Honey Bee Festival (4)
Independence, LA 70443 Event Dates
16th & 17th
Vickey
DiMattia 985-969-6403
Email:
vickieQamericandieselpowerproducts.com
Smoked Meat Festival (2)
Ville
Platte, LA. 70586 Event Dates 22nd
& 23rd
Peggy LeJeune 337-363-4075
Fax: 337-363-2235
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