2006
Convention Edition
Dennis Mouton
elected President of L.A.F.F. at 2006 Convention
Dennis Mouton of
the Erath 4th of July Celebration was elected President of
LAFF at the 75th annual convention in Baton Rouge on February
18th. Serving as Vice-President and 2007 Convention Chairman will be
Paul McGee of the Louisiana Pecan Festival (Colfax). Barbara Horaist,
Louisiana Cattle Festival (Abbeville) and Al Dupré, Jr., Thibodeauxville
(Thibodaux) Fall Festival will continue as Treasurer and Secretary,
respectively. Rob Piraro, Cajun French Music & Food Festival (Lake
Charles) will serve as Past-President. Warren Deemer (Westwego Cypress
Swamp Festival) continues on the Board moving from Past-President to
District #7Director. Equilla Victorian of Allen Parish Fair was elected
to a three year term as District #2 Director. Alisa
Yelverton of Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival begins a three year term as
District #6 Director. Deltus Mitchell (Mitchell Brothers Carnival),
Neal Horaist (LA Pageant Judges Association) and Norman Land (Kingsland
Entertainment) will server one year terms as (respectively) Carnival,
Supplier and Talent Directors. Also continuing their terms on the Board
are:
David Bourdier, Patterson Cypress Sawmill Festival,
District #1 Director; District #4, Kaye Ladner of the Washington Parish
Free Fair (Franklinton) and Chris Giordano, District Director #5 of the
State Fair of Louisiana (Shreveport).
Jeron LaFargue
inducted into LAFF Hall of Fame
Becoming the third
member of his family to be inducted into the LAFF Hall of Fame is Mr.
Jeron LaFargue. Mr. LaFargue joins his father, Myron and another family
member, Prudence Burns in the LAFF Hall. All three are past presidents
of LAFF. Additionally Mr. LaFargue served LAFF as a Director (2 years);
Secretary-Treasurer (2 years) in addition to serving as President (also
2 years). In his years of service to LAFF, he also was responsible for
a working relationship with the Department of Tourism to publicize the
fairs and festivals of the state and in legislation that exempted fairs
from taxes on “unrelated” income. Mr. LaFargue was active with the
Calcasieu-Cameron Fair having served many years as legal counsel and
President/General Manager.
Mischa Moore
crowned 2006 LAFF Queen of Queen’s
A contest, not to
select “a queen from a group of representatives”; but rather a contest
to “select a representative from a group of queens” continued the more
than thirty year tradition of the annual Queen of Queen’s pageant at the
2006 LAFF convention, Saturday February 18th. Mischa Moore,
daughter of Diahn Landry and Darryl Moore and representing the Gueydan
Duck Festival was selected from a group of over 70 queens representing
the fairs and festivals of Louisiana. First alternate was Stacey Simien
representing Louisiana Railroad Festival (DeQuincy); second alternate
was Erika Drounette representing Christmas on the Bayou (Cottonport);
Third alternate and winner of the Interview portion of the pageant was
Katy Kress, representing Sulphur Heritage festival; fourth alternate was
Kayla LaVergne, representing Louisiana Cattle Festival (Abbeville).
Miss Congeniality was Brittney Robert, representing Gonzales Jambalaya
Festival. Most beautiful evening gown winner was Lauren Brown,
representing Mardi Gras of Southwest Louisiana (Lake Charles).
LAFF LIBRARY
Announcing a new
service for LAFF members – the LAFF Library. The Board purchased a CD
of the sessions of the 2004 IAFE Convention and will make CD’s available
to member events for the nominal fee of $5.00 per title (some sessions
are two or three CDs, but will still be yours for the same cost). This
will not be a rental. For $5.00 per title you will own the session on
your CD. The $5.00 per title was settled on to simple defray the cost
of CDs and mailings, there is no intent at a profit.
Titles available
are:
Advertising -
What Works, What Doesn’t & Why
- Roy H. Williams
Board Members
Only - Adding Value as a Board
Janice Moore and Steve Edwards, CFE
501(c) (3) or
501(c) (6) - What Should You Be?
- Rob Lyons, CPA
Keeping the
Prosecutor’s Nose Out of Your Tent: What You Need to Know About
Criminal Law and
the Amusement Business - Ron
Burback, John Hinde, R. Wayne Pierce, Dave Durkee
“Las Vegas - The
True Story” - Bo Bernhard -
Spouse Program
Secret to Your
Success – Communication -
Kevin McGrath, CCE
Save Time and
Money in the Workplace - Edwin
B. Feldman
Take Charge of
Your Resources - William
Nelson
How To Catch Your
Breath When You Are Losing Your Mind
- Greg Risberg
E.coli - What We
Are Learning from Litigation -
Stephen Neel, Ken Renner
You Make A
Difference - Greg Risberg
Web/Electronic
Entry Systems - Vision of the Future/Consider the Possibilities
Robert Fogle, CFE, Mike Bradley,
Linda Elderton, Dena Luthi
Media Training
- Suzette Heiman
Commercial
Exhibits and Concessions - Pat
Moroney and Ellen Andrus
Internet
Marketing - Dr. Wenyu Dou
Physical
Plant/Operations - Marv Witt,
CFE, and Greg Lybeck
AgroTerrorism -
The Possible Effect on Fairs -
Dr. Joseph Broz, Dr. Carl Heckendorf
Facility Usage
- Phil Clark and Bill Edmondson, CFE
Exotic/Specialty
Animal Show Management - James
Goodrich, Bob Dineen, Jerry Dunn, Bob Potter
Agriculture
- Heidi Herriott and Debbie Dreyfus-Schronk, CFE
Sponsorship
Reality Check: Resources to Rewards
- Jeff Milgrom, Torri Aprile
Competitive
Exhibits - Becky Brashear, CFE, and Candace Blancher, CFE
The Marketing of
Entertainment - David Grimm,
CFE, Holly Gleason, Paul Goldman, Vivian Sayler
Advertising,
Promotions & Public Relations
- Kim Allen, CFE, and Nancy Smith
Is Your Carnival
Up to Industry Standards - Guy
Leavitt, Jerry Aldrich, Jim Sinclair, CFE, Mike Heffron, CFE
Pick and choose or
order a set, $5.00 per title. While still working out the details, what
I envision is to set up a page on the website for ordering titles by
sending a check to Barbara with her then notifying me of the titles
needed. For those without internet access an order sheet can be
requested and then send in a check and title request to Barbara.
PRESIDENT’s
MESSAGE
THANK YOU, THANK
YOU, THANK YOU,
I would like to
thank everyone who assisted me with the 2006 LAFF convention. The theme
Freedom Rings with LAFF was a theme chosen to represent everyone who
served this great Country. Some of the queens had a lot of questions
regarding the shoebox floats, I was so amazed at the outstanding work
that each queen presented with their
shoeboxes and door decorations.
Although it was a hard year this year
with many obstacles that I was presented with, I overcame the challenges
and I feel the convention was very successful.
To our new
2006 Queen of Queens Mischa Moore, I know you will do an outstanding job
representing our organization.
I would
also like to thank everyone for supporting me as Vice-President and
convention chairman this year, but also as I begin my new journey as
your LAFF President I thank you for your support.
To Mr.
Paul McGee I know that you will be a great Vice-President and will put
on a great convention next year.
I am
always available to assist you in anything that needs to be done at your
fair or festival.
Again,
thanks for your support; I had a great year as your LAFF Vice-President
TREASURER’s
MESSAGE:
Many
thanks to everyone for allowing me to serve you and LAFF as Treasurer
once again. It is a most enjoyable honor for me to serve in such a
position! Thank you to all who assisted in any way for the
convention -- it is definitely a team effort! The Treasurer's reports
are given out at the four quarterly board meetings held during the
year. Should any festival/fair/associate wish a copy, either contact me
or the district directors.
If any festival or fair needs any assistance, either judging a
pageant, working a booth, etc., please contact Neal or me at
337-893-6328 or at
bnhoraist@aol.com.
We would be glad to assist in any way.
Congratulations to our new LAFF Queen of
Queens, Mischa Moore! You have a wonderful year ahead of you.
Congratulations to our new President, Dennis Mouton! You thought you
had fun last year as Vice President -- believe me this year will top
it! Congratulations to our new Vice President, Paul McGee! You will
have a great year planning convention for 2007 -- don’t forget everyone
will assist you -- we’re only a phone call away! Congratulations to our
immediate past president, Rob Piraro! You did a great job as President
and, as a “has-been”, can now relax a little more! Our deepest sympathy
and condolences go out to Kaye Ladner in the passing of her mother. You
are definitely in our thoughts and prayers.
s/Barbra T.
Horaist
SECRETARY’s MESSAGE
To everyone that
helped through the year and especially for your efforts at convention
THANK YOU!!! A special THANKS for all her help and support to “my LAFF
Queen”, my wife Mona. Thanks to everyone for returning me to the job of
secretary. If there is anything I can do as secretary or if you need a
pageant judge, please call. The home number (and fax number) is
985-447-4658 – or 800-520-5233; at work you can reach me at 985-447-0932
ext 247.
PAST PRESIDENT’s MESSAGE
It's hard to believe the 2006 convention has come and gone. I want
to thank Dennis Mouton for a job well done and am sure he will do an
equally good job as president. Thank you to anyone who attended and if
you were unable to join us this year, we invite you to participate next
year. The convention dates for next year are February 1st through the
4th and it will again be held at the Holiday Inn Select in
Baton Rouge. Please make
your reservations early as every year the hotel sells out earlier and
earlier. Dennis and Paul are already working on plans to make 2007 a
great convention, please try to attend. As for me I'm looking
forwarding to enjoying my year as immediate past president. As my
repairs are progressing well, I will be visiting your events whenever
possible. If Janet or I can assist you or your festival in any
way, just call us at 337-478-2355 or e-mail us at
robpiraro@aol.com.
DISTRICT #3 NEWS
Another convention
has come and gone. As the first convention that I attend as a board
member I was impressed by the way everything ran smoothly. Yes there
were some rough spots but they were handled by Dennis and Rob pretty
quickly. Other problems will be handled as this year goes on. Some are
already in progress.
I would like to
congratulate the Festivals of the Year. In Division 1 Gueydan Duck
Festival. In Division 2 Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival. Both
of these festivals are in District 3. I would like to congratulate the
new Queen. Her name is Mischa Moore. She is with the Gueydan Duck
Festival. Again that is in District 3. When one of the girls in the top
twelve was announced, Miss Equilla and I were bragging if they were in
our district. I guess I will have to share the bragging rights to our
Queen since she represents District 3 but comes from Miss Equilla’s area
(District 2). She now belongs to the entire board and we will all help
her in anything she may need. Mischa if you need just give anyone a
call.
I would like to
congratulate Dennis for being elected President for next year. I would
like to also congratulate Paul (LeBlanc) McGee for being elected to be
Vice-President. I would like to welcome our newest board member for
District 6 Alisa Yelverton, and for District 7 a not so new board member
Warren Deemer. Another member of the board was elected for another term,
Mrs. Equilla Victorian, thank you for staying on the board. Until next
month, if you are in District 3 and need something just get in touch
with me and I will try to help.
s/Jim
Meaux
DISTRICT #5 NEWS
The 2006
LAFF Annual Convention was a huge success. The meetings were very
informative and the networking was great. Outstanding job, Dennis and
the rest of the Board, on a spectacular convention. I send my
appreciation to the Bastrop Fall Arts & Crafts Festival, Louisiana Peach
Festival and Red River Revel for the gifts that were donated for the
District Basket and door prizes. It was a difficult year on many of the
members of LAFF, but the convention was as great as ever. Good luck to
those of you that are still rebuilding from the storms. I wish the best
to the LA Redbud Association and their upcoming event. If anyone in
District 5 can use my assistance, please contact me.
DISTRICT #6 NEWS
Greetings from District 6! I am glad to
represent District 6. I hope I get a chance to attend nearly all the
activities going on in my district this year. I look forward to meeting
all the people involved with the festivals/fairs and the pageant
directors in my district this year. Special thanks to Dennis Mouton for
coming to Natchitoches on February 11th for the Mardi Gras of
NWLA pageant. He helped Anna Payne, Natchitoches Meat Pie Queen's mom,
at the registration table give out numbers and take up photogenic
pictures. Kaylyn Powell of Natchitoches will represent Mardi Gras of
NWLA at the 2007 Queen of Queens pageant. The Mardi Gras parade
in Natchitoches will be February 25th. We have really
enjoyed the parade and festivities each year. I am planning the Ashland
Spring Festival pageant. It will take place on March 11th in
Ashland. Thanks to Paul for judging for us last year. If anyone is
interested in attending the pageant to watch or judge, please contact me
via email (alisa.n.yelverton.hxjo@statefarm.com).
I talked with Theresa Gibson today. She is planning the Robeline
Heritage pageant. She has not decided a date, but it will be in April
around the first or middle of the month. We really enjoyed convention
this year. Everyone did a good job. I look forward to working with
everyone to make the 2007 Convention a big success. Good luck to Paul
on planning everything. Let me know if I can help in anyway.
s/Alisa Yelverton
DISTRICT #7 NEWS
Well, here we go
again, another year for LAFF and a rebuilding year for Louisiana after
the tragic Hurricane Season. I would first like to offer condolences to
Mrs. Kaye Ladner, District 4 Director and Past President of LAFF on the
passing of her mother. The members of L A F F District # 7 offers it’s
condolences to the Ladner family.
I would like to take
this opportunity to thank Mr. Kurt Dempster for his efforts over the
past three years as District Director. Kurt has worked in the best
interest of LAFF organizations in his district and has been a vital part
of keeping LAFF as the leader in our state. Kurt has been very active
in making the LAFF conventions a success, assisting in decorating and
many other important functions as a Director. Kurt has been a great
asset to our organization and I wish him all the best in his
endeavors.
I look forward to
working with the member organizations in District 7, and hope that you
will call on me if I can be of assistance to your organization. I
intend to set up a District meeting to discuss your concerns so that I
may be your messenger to the LAFF Board. Our next board meeting will be
held April 22, 2006 at the Westwego Fire Station Meeting Room at 677
Avenue H, Westwego, Louisiana at 10:00 A M . All member organizations
are welcomed to attend. I would appreciate knowing if you plan on
attending so that we can be prepared for any handout materials that will
be distributed.
I want to thank
Dennis Mouton for an outstanding job in coordinating the 2006
convention, it was a huge success. This year had the largest attendance
ever for our convention. Thanks also to Rob Piraro, our Past-President
for a job well done. The continued effort of the board will only serve
to make this organization grow, to better serve your interests. This
organization can only get better with your input, so please feel free to
contact me with your suggestions and concerns. I can be reached at
home: 504-328-5686, on the internet at
www.laffnet.org, by e-mail at
laffpres04@cox.net.
If I may be of
assistance to other LAFF organizations as a judge for your pageant or
for general information, please contact me.
Well until next
month, please work hard, be prosperous and be careful. I hope you are
all beginning to make plans to attend the 2007 convention February 1-4,
2007 at the Holiday Inn Select in Baton Rouge where our theme will be,
“Welcome to LAFF Vegas”.
s/Warren Deemer
SUPPLIER DIRECTOR
It was a
great pleasure to see everyone at the LAFF Convention -- it looked like
all were having a great time! The Trade Show was a great success. Many
thanks to everyone who assisted with the Trade Show! It is a pleasure
to serve LAFF again as the Supplier Director for the upcoming year.
Please let me know your suggestions for improving the Trade Show or if I
can be of any assistance to any festivals –fairs -associates.
s/Neal
Horaist
QUEEN OF QUEENS
WOW!!! I
really must say this past convention was really awesome. It was a lot of
fun and very enjoyable. I am so excited about the upcoming year. I feel
so blessed and privileged to be chosen as the representative for so many
kind, beautiful, and intelligent young women. Everyone’s kind words of
encouragement and congratulations really mean a lot to me. My family,
friends, and the Gueydan Duck Festival Association couldn’t have been
more encouraging. I am so lucky to have such a great support system. I
can't thank them enough.
I really
look forward to beginning my travels and hope to see ya’ll on the road.
If I can help anyone in any way, shape, or form please do not hesitate
to ask. I might be girly, but I am a hard worker! Take Care.
s/Mischa Moore
POSTER CONTEST
WINNERS
According to
Poster Chairman, Kaye Ladner, we had 29 posters entered from eight (8)
events. The winners were: Category A - Grades 1-3 - 3rd place
– Sierra Clark - Starks Mayhaw Festival; 2nd place – Chelsea Johnson
– Mayhaw Festival; 1st place - Daniel Thibodeaux – Westwego
Cypress Swamp Festival; Category B - Grades 4-6 3rd place –
Emily Bushnell –Livingston Parish Fair 2nd place – Ciara Bussell –
Mayhaw Festival; 1st place - Courtney Yelverton – Mardi Gras of NWLA;
Category C - Grades 7-9 3rd place – Brandin Ford -
Livingston Parish Fair; 2nd place –Lenee Dogill -Natchitoches Meat Pie
Festival; 1st place – Marcy Strickland – LA Railroad Days; Category
D - Grades 10-12 3rd place-Curtis Meyers, Jr.-Livingston Parish
Fair; 2nd place-Keiwian Welch-Mayhaw Festival; 1st place - Trent
Hebert - Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival; Over-All Winner – Adam
Austin - Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival
At the February 16,
2006 Board Meeting, Treasurer, Barbara Horaist presented a report from
January through December 2005:
INCOME
Convention-Income Awards
Program 660.00
Convention Program Ad
210.00
Q of Qs Pageant Prelims
990.00
Pageant Program Ad
6,445.00
People’s Choice
689.81
Program Books
1,125.00
Queen’s Pageant Registration
7,200.00
TOTAL Queen’s Pageant
16,449.81
Registration Packets
39,445.00
½ & ½
1,456.00
Auction
1,204.00
Country Store
322.00
Womanless Pageant
231.69
TOTAL Special Events
3,213.69
Sponsorship
3,000.00
Tickets 27,765.00
Trade Show
2,575.00
TOTAL Convention Income
93,318.50
Interest – CD
69.22
- GMAC
787.30
- other
10.83
TOTAL Interest
867.35
Membership dues Associate
2,970.00
Member
6,815.00
TOTAL Membership Dues 9,785.00
Miscellaneous Income
10,478.40
TOTAL Income
114,449.25
EXPENSES
Bank Service Charges
516.85
Check Printing
33.05
Total Bank Charges
549.90
Board Expenses
601.78
Close account
458.40
Convention Essay Awards
600.00
Hall of Fame
Awards 70.20
Marketing Awards
2,519.14
Poster Awards
754.61
Awards-other
70.20
Total Awards
4,014.15
Decorations
350.28
Entertainment
2,620.00
Food & Beverage
55,672.89
Hotel/Venue
5,216.05
Miscellaneous
2,390.20
Program Expense
312.48
Queen’s Pageant Program
3,580.50
Queen’s Pageant-Other
10,088.93
Total Queen’s Pageant
13,669.43
Refunds 970.00
Convention-Other
656.69
Total Convention
85,872.17
Dues & Subscriptions
80.00
Equipment
4,134.10
Insurance
2,102.00
Licenses & Permits
5.00
Miscellaneous
10,027.20
Office Supplies
1,258.77
Postage &
Delivery 1,734.04
President’s
Awards 393.25
Printing & Reproduction
3,215.13
Returned check
-5,000.00
Scholarship 1,250.00
Stipends 1,000.00
Telephone 57.28
Travel District #1
234.92
Travel District #2
492.25
Travel District #3
670.91
Travel District #4
523.50
Travel District #5
272.05
Travel District #6
605.62
Travel
Directors-other 124.00
Total Travel Directors
2,923.25
Travel IAFE
2,272.28
Travel President
1,676.50
Travel Vice-President
1,514.24
Travel Treasurer
894.55
Travel Secretary
1,188.27
Travel Past President
949.93
Total Travel
11,419.02
Travel Queen of Queens
2,810.27
Voided Deposit
5,000.00
Web
Page 269.40
TOTAL Expense 127,237.71
Net Ordinary Income
-12,788.46
Other Income
29,675.93
Other Expenses
13,374.26
Net Income
3,513.21
Balance Sheet as of February 14, 2006
GMAC Demand Note
15,659.97
Gulf Coast Bank
33,348.73
Total Checking/Savings
49,008.70
Total Current Assets
49,008.70
Equity
Opening Balance Equity
48,837.93
Retained Earnings
-7,770.65
Net Income
7,941.42
Total Equity
49,008.70
Total Liabilities & Equity $ 49,008.70
EVENTS TO ATTEND
(what does that number by each event
mean? check laffnet.org for the state district map – the number refers
to the area of the state [district] in which the event is held)
EVENTS TO ATTEND
March 16 - 18
Washington Catfish
Festival (3)
Sunset, LA
March 17 - 19
Amite Oyster Day (4)
Amite, LA
March 17 - 19
Iowa Rabbit Festival
(2)
Iowa, LA
March 18
LA Redbud
Association (5)
Vivian, LA
March 18 – 20
LA Nursery Festival
(5)
Forest Hill, LA
March 24 - 25
Ashland Spring
Festival (6)
Ashland, LA
March 25 - 26
Oak Alley Plantation
(7)
Vacherie, LA
March 30 – April
1
Sulphur Heritage
Festival (2)
Sulphur, LA
March 30 - April
2
Patterson Cypress
Sawmill Festival (1)
Patterson, LA
April 1 - 2
Lawtell Crawfish
Boat Festival (2)
Lawtell, LA
April 1
Festival Ray*La*Ne*
(3)
Rayne, LA
April 6 – 8
Louisiana Railroad
Days Festival (2)
DeQuincy, LA
April 7 - 9
Battle of Pleasant
Hill Festival (6)
Pleasant Hill, LA
April 7 - 9
Boggy Bayou Festival
(2)
Pine Prairie, LA
April 7 - 9
Cajun Hot Sauce
Festival (3)
New Iberia, LA
April 7 - 9
Potpourri Festival
(7)
Westwego, La.
April 7 - 9
Ponchatoula
Strawberry Festival (4)
Ponchatoula, LA
April 8
Franklin Parish
Catfish Festival (5)
Winnsboro, LA
April 8
Southdown
Marketplace Arts & Crafts Festival (1)
Houma, LA
April 13 – 15
Great Southern
Bluegrass Festival (4)
Angie, LA
April 21 - 23
French Quarter
Festival (7)
New Orleans, LA
April 21 – 23
Lockport Fall
Festival (1)
Lockport, LA
April 22 - 23
Bayou Teche Bear
Festival (1)
Franklin, LA
April 26 - 30
Festival
International De Louisiane (3)
Lafayette, LA
April 28 - 30
Etouffee Festival
(3)
Arnaudville, LA
April 28 - 30
Family Fun Festival
(1)
Larose, LA
April 28 - 30
Independence Italian
Festival (4)
Tickfaw, LA
April 28 – 30
Spring Fling (6)
Natchitoches, La.
April 29
St. Joan of Arc Fair
& Beauty Pageant (7)
LaPlace, LA
April 29 – 30
Cajun Woodstock for
St Jude’s (3)
Church Point, LA
April 30
Acadiana Charter
Chapter Festival (3)
Eunice, LA
Convention 2007
“Welcome to LAFF Vegas”
Holiday Inn Select
Baton Rouge
February 1, 2, 3 & 4, 2007
*next month, Marketing Awards and Essay
contest winners.
