2011 Sugarcane Festival

LOU I S I ANA S UGAR C ANE F E S T I VA L MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 201124 THE DAILY IBERIAN

A product of

September 19, 2011

Boat Parade – p 18

Children’s Parade – p 2

King Sucrose – p 7

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hardware needed for hanging. Brasseauxsaid “no heavy frames” will be allowedfor submission.

Photos can be submitted between 9 a.m.and 5 p.m. on Thursday. Judging willbegin at 10 a.m. on Friday.

A public viewing will be held between 3and 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday.

For more information contactBrasseaux at 856-6910.

Horticulture ShowThe Flowers at the Hop Horticulture

Show, hosted by the Azalea Garden Club,will feature three competitions this year,including a general horticulture division,a design division and special exhibitfocused on public education.

For the horticulture competition, con-testants will compete for three awards,including the Top Exhibitor Award, theArboreal Award for shrubs and trees andthe Award of Merit for annuals, perenni-

als, roses, bulbs, corms, rhizomes andtubers, and cacti and succulents.

The design competition will featurethree themes, including a creative under-water design, a creative reflective design,and a creative synergistic design.

The third non-competitive categorywill focus on educating the public inmethods of protecting and conservingnatural resources, promoting civic beau-ty, while also advancing the art of gar-

dening, horticulture, floral design, land-scape design and the environmental sci-ences.

Exhibits will include either Hibiscusor Plumeria, and must be accompaniedby a general description, history, type,general care needed and fertilizer used.

For more information on theHorticulture Show, contact RubyNewcomb at 367-0277, or MargaretMelancon at 560-1279.

LOU I S I ANA S UGAR C ANE F E S T I VA L MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 20112 THE DAILY IBERIAN LOU I S I ANA S UGAR C ANE F E S T I VA L THE DAILY IBERIAN 23MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

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EARLY VOTING: OCTOBER 8-15ELECTION DAY: OCTOBER 22

Just as lush cane fields and warm sunny days are an indelible part of our community, so is Iberia Medical Center. We are family, friends and neighbors who truly care about the people we serve. As we strive to fulfi l l our mission to improve the health and quality of l ife in our community, we are deeply gratified with our progress and results. We look forward to the opportunity to

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BY JESSICA GOFF

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Festivities won’t be hard to miss atjust about 10 a.m. Saturday indowntown New Iberia, as local

and regional youth begin to proceeddown Main Street decked out in cos-tumes and ready to perform for specta-tors during the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair Children’s Parade.

This year’s theme is “CelebratingLouisiana.” Between 500 and 600 chil-dren are expected to participate in thisyear’s parade.

The Louisiana Sugar Cane FestivalAssociation and the New Iberia KiwanisClub coordinate the event each year.

Children’s Parade director and 15-yearKiwanis Club member Kenny LeJeunehas been on the front lines organizingthe massive procession on Saturday

Children’s parade storyS TAND ING HEAD■

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & Fair Guide is a supplementalpublication of The Daily Iberian, P.O. Box 9290, New Iberia, LA 70562.

Publisher ....................................................................................Will ChapmanManaging Editor............................................................................Jeff ZeringueAdvertising Manager ..........................................................................Alan RiniProduction Manager ......................................................................Jerry SextonBusiness Manager ....................................................................Amanda SenecaCirculation Manager ..............................................................John “JP” Poirier

Children’s parade ......This page

Schedule of events ........Page 4

King Sucrose ..................Page 7

Sugar Cane Queen ........Page 8

Who will be queen? ....Page 9

Events in color......Page 12-13

Mr. Iberia ....................Page 14

Ya Ya Queen ................Page 15

Festival History............Page 16

Sunday Parade Grand Marshal

....................................Page 17

Leading boaters ..........Page 18

Top volunteer ..............Page 19

Festival Honoree..........0

Farmer’s Day................Page 21

Shows aplenty..............Page 22

LEE BALL/THE DAILY IBERIAN

Lucas Harrington, left, and Destanee Butler of Dodson Elementar y Schoolreturn from a trip to the Swiss Alps. They where at the Sugar Cane F estivalChildren’s Parade.SEE CHILDREN, PAGE 3

SHOWS: Opportunity to educate public about local horticultural informationFROM PAGE 22


Millie Comeaux of Azalea Garden Club at theGarden/Flower Show.


A Special SaluteTo Our Farmers

We are proud to salute the f armers of our area,who are truly the backbone of our country.

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morning for each festival for the pasteight years, he said, and loves everyminute of it.

Between 8 and 9 a.m. droves of families,bands, school athletic teams and clubs,dance teams and pageant royalty will gath-er in downtown New Iberia to await theircues from LeJeune and a host of volunteers.

“It takes a lot of effort from a lot of vol-unteers,” he said. “There is a lot of manpower behind this to put it all together.”

All Iberia Parish elementary schools areinvited to participate in the parade, eachrepresenting different portions of theBayou State and its culture, festival associ-ation President Miriam Krepper said.

Last year’s theme was “InternationalCelebration” with each school represent-ing a different country.

This year, Dodson Elementary Schoolwill be representing Louisiana jazz musicin the parade, school principal TimRosamond said. The spirit of Mardi Graswill be brought to the autumn parade by

Hopkins Elementary School.Each year the school holds its own

neighborhood Mardi Gras parade, schoolsecretary Jalana Durall said, and some ofthat tradition will be seen during the festi-val parade.

“We are actually working on traditionalcostumes this year,” she said. “We willhave a king and queen and convertingwagons into Mardi Gras floats. We aregoing to try to bring out a little bit of ourannual parade on to Main Street.”

The parade will run along East MainStreet from Prairie Street to SouthCorinne Street.

CHILDREN: Parade steps of at 10 a.m. and will travel through downtown N.I.FROM PAGE 2

LEE BALL/THE DAILY IBERIANAt the Sugar Cane Festival and Fair Children’s Parade in September 2010.

‘It takes a lot of effort from alot of volunteers.’

Kenny LeJeune

Children’s parade coordinator for Kiwanis Club

■

BY PATRICK FLANAGAN

THE DAILY IBERIAN

The 2011 Sugar Cane Festival will beaccompanied by three major exhi-bitions, showcasing local horticul-

turists, artists and photographers.

Art ShowThe art competition, hosted by the

L’Acadian Art Guild, will feature a vari-ety of categories for a range of age-groups, including an adult division forthose 18-years and older, a 13 to 17-year-old division, and a junior division for 8 to12 year-olds.

Contestants will be allowed to submitup to five pieces of two-dimensional art,which must be framed or wrapped in can-vas for hanging purposes.

Artwork must be submitted betweennoon and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 atthe Cyr-Gates Community Center, andjudging will be held Friday morning.

A public viewing of the artwork will beheld Friday afternoon between 2 and 4p.m., and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photography ShowThe 2011 Amateur Photography Show

will be held at the Cyr-Gates CommunityCenter and will feature the photographsof local youth and adults.

The competition will be divided intotwo divisions, a junior division for ages 8through 17, and an adult division forthose age 18 and above.

This year’s competition includes sevencategories, including photographs of ani-mals, people, flowers, black and white,nature, scenic, and the sugar cane industry.An additional competition will be reservedfor computer-enhanced photographs.

Show coordinator Faith Brasseaux saidphotos can range in size from 4-by-6 to 20-by-16, and must be framed and include the

Shows for competition and fun

SEE SHOWS, PAGE 23LEE BALL/THE DAILY IBERIAN

Carson Hebert likes the Sugar Artistry Exhibit.


THANKS FARMERS!WE APPRECIATE YOUR LOYAL SUPPORT IN

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S CHEDUL E O F E V ENT S■

WEDNESDAY,SEPT. 21■ 5 P.M.–11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows -

Family Night, $1 per ride with 14 acres of ridesand excitement for the whole family at theCorner of Louisiana 14 and Sucrose Drive(Across from the Iberia Parish Tourist Centerbetween Lowe’s and Center Point Energy)Community Invited – Free admission.

THURSDAY,SEPT. 22■ 3 P.M.–11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows -

“Pay Once” price available as well as individualticket purchases. Corner of Louisiana. 14 andSucrose Drive (Across from the Iberia ParishTourist Center and between Lowe’s and CenterPoint Energy) Community Invited – Free admis-sion.

■ 6 P.M. — “Top of the Stalk” – Reception hon-oring King Sucrose 70th by the Former Kings’Association. (By invitation.)

■ 7 P.M.–Midnight — Fais-do-do /MusicConcert. Bouligny Plaza, Main Street at the HiSugar Stage. Free entry– Community Invited.(No ice chests allowed).

Headliners:■ 7 - 9:30 P.M. — The Cast■ 9:30 - Midnight — Geno DelafosePlease help this event remain “free entry” by pur-

chasing your beverages and snacks at Festivalbooths in Bouligny Plaza.

■ 8 P.M. – King’s Reception - honoring KingSucrose 70th and his wife, hosted by formerKing Sucrose and his wife. Music by Kenny & theHeartbreakers. Dress:“After Five”. Membershipinvited.

FRIDAY,SEPT. 23■ 8 A.M. — Sugar Cane Grower’s Day (Farmer’s

Day) - The community is encouraged to dress infarmer’s attire.

■ 8 A.M. — 4-H Sugar Cookery ContestRegistration - Cyr-Gates Community Center,City Park.

■ 10 A.M. — Mass & Blessing of the Crop -Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Building in NewIberia City Park. Community Invited. ContinentalBreakfast immediately after Mass.

■ 11 A.M. — 4-H Sugar Cookery ContestAwards presented to winners, Cyr GatesCommunity Center, City Park. Free admission.Community Invited.

■ 11:30 A.M. — Judging of Best DecoratedStorefronts & Residences in celebration of theSugar Festival and Industry - Judging is through-out the city of New Iberia.To insure inclusion,register on line at [email protected].

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5


Antique cars parade down Main Street and were on display, as they will be on Saturday.

Dress up yourself, business or home FridayBY MATTHEW BEATON

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Friday is Farmer’s Day — akaSugar Cane Grower’s Day — atime when Iberia Parish pays trib-

ute to the tenders of the soil.Miriam Krepper, president of the

Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and FairAssociation, encouraged locals, bothfarmers and non-farmers, to wear whatthey would in the fields.

“We ask anyone to dress in farmerattire; it’s a way to celebrate them,”Krepper said.

The day holds particular significancefor the festival, because the growers are,in large part, the reason for the five-daycelebration.

“The concept of the Louisiana sugarfestival was always built on farmers andtheir industry,” Krepper said.

She lauded area farmers — their disci-pline and hard work — and called them

“survivors” who are always willing tohelp each other out.

In Iberia Parish, she said, farming “ishuge; it employs many, many people.”

Ricky Gonsoulin, co-owner ofGonsoulin Farms LLC, said farming hasbeen in his family for 200 years. As theindustry evolves, he said improvementshave been made in efficiency, as he andothers have “expanded to multi-rowequipment” and increased crop yields peracre.

He likes that Farmer’s Day offers anopportunity to educate the area aboutabout what he does.

“Things on the grocery shelf don’t justappear,” he said.

His 2,700-acre farm holds 1,700 acres ofsugar cane and 300 acres of soybeans. Heexpressed optimism about local agricul-ture’s future.

“The industry is growing ... the nextfive years looks great,” he said.

Also, Friday will feature a Mass and

Blessing of the Crop at City Park,which Krepper said is “to pray for asafe harvest.”

Plus, the 4-H Sugar Cookery Contest

will be held. Prizes will be handed out forthe top desserts in various fields includ-ing cookies and pies.

For those with a sweet tooth, from 2-4p.m., the Sugar Artistry Exhibit/Tastingwill be held at City Park.

Friday also gives locals a chance toshow their sugar spirit. Storefronts andhomes in New Iberia will be judged ontheir decorations that honor the sugarfestival and the industry.

“People decorate their homes and we goand we judge,” Krepper said. “We’regrateful to the people that participate.”

Another event holding symbolic impor-tance for the festival is the 30th annualBoat Parade. The boats, Krepper said,were vital in distributing the sugar cane.After the parade, the annual Friday fire-works display will start at 7:15 p.m.Krepper estimated the cost of the fire-works at $5,000. “It is costly,” she said, butadded that thanks to fundraisers andsponsors the festival is affordable.


Richard Picard dressed as a farmer workingon his laptop computer for the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival’s Farmer’s Day.


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■ NOON – 11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’Shows– Kids Day – Between the hours of noonand 5 P.M., rides will be $1. Regular fare after 5P.M. Corner of Louisiana. 14 and Sucrose Drive(Across from the Iberia Parish Tourist Center,between Lowe’s and Center Point Energy) Freeadmission. Community Invited.

■ 2 P.M. — Sugar Cane Exhibit– opens for publicviewing – Cyr-Gates Community Center. Freeadmission. Community Invited.

■ 2 P.M. — Garden/Flower Show– opens forpublic viewing at Cyr-Gates Community Center,New Iberia City Park. Coordinated by AzaleaGarden Club. Free admission. CommunityInvited. For more information, contact SherryDarcey at 369-9323.

■ 2 – 4 P.M. — Sugar Artistry Exhibit/Tasting–Cyr-Gates Community Center, New Iberia CityPark. Coordinated by:“Sweet Friends of theTeche” Cake Club. Free admission. CommunityInvited. For more information, contact Virginia’sCake Supplies at 364-6463.

■ 2 P.M. — Art Show (adults and children)Sponsored by the La Sugar Cane Festival andcoordinated by L’Acadiana Art Guild. Opens forpublic viewing. Cyr-Gates Community Center,New Iberia City Park. Free admission.Community Invited. More information contactHeather Cole at 367-2714 or Roxy Blanton at364-2562.

■ 3 P.M. — Photography Show - Opens for pub-lic viewing - Cyr-Gates Community Center, NewIberia City Park coordinated by Faith Brasseaux.Free admission. Community Invited. For moreinformation call 364-7703 or 298-2326.

*There is no charge to enter any of the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival Shows.

■ 6:30 P.M. — 30th Annual Boat Parade beginswith a salute to the Grand Marshal of theParade, King Sucrose 70th Queen Sugar 69thand other Festival dignitaries. Reviewing stand atNew Iberia City Park. Free admission.Community Invited. Information/Registrationemail at [email protected] or call 369-9323.Theme:“Sugar, the Star of the Teche”.

■ 7:15 P.M. — Fireworks–Immediately followingthe Boat Parade (at dark). Free admission.Community Invited. (Across Bayou from CityHall)

■ 7 P.M. – Midnight — 70 Years of Dancing inthe Streets at the Fais-do-do/Music Concert,Bouligny Plaza, Main Street at the Hi Sugar Stage.Free entry – Community Invited. (No ice chestsallowed)

Headliners:■ 7 - 9:30 P.M. — Andy Smith Band (www.andy-

smithband.com)■ 9:30 - Midnight — Category 6Please help this event remain “free entry” by pur-

chasing your beverages and snacks at Festivalbooths in Bouligny Plaza .

■ 8:15 P.M. — Sugar Harvest Celebration hon-oring Festival Honorees. Membership Invited.

SATURDAY,SEPT. 24■ 8 – 9 A.M. — Registration for Bayou Girl

Scouts Bake Off - for District Competition. Cyr-Gates Community Center, New Iberia City Park.All troops invited to participate. Coordinated byBayou Girl Scouts. Free admission. CommunityInvited.

■ 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. — Photography Show –Coordinated by Faith Brasseaux - Cyr-GatesCommunity Center, New Iberia City Park. Freeadmission. Community Invited. More informationcall: 364-7703 or 298-2326.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. — La Sugar Cane Festival ArtShow - Cyr-Gates Community Center, NewIberia City Park. (Adults and children)Coordinated by L’Acadiana Art Guild, free admis-sion. Community Invited. More information con-tact: Heather Cole at 367-2714 or Roxy Blantonat 364-2562.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. – Garden/Flower Show. Openfor public viewing. Cyr-Gates CommunityCenter, New Iberia City Park. Coordinated bythe Azalea Garden Club. Free admission.Community Invited. More information, callSherry Darcey at 369-9323.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. — Silver Cup Sugar CaneWinner - Exhibit opens. Sponsored by the LASugar Cane Festival & Fair Assn; Cyr-GatesCommunity Center, New Iberia City Park. Freeadmission. Community Invited.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. — Sugar ArtistryExhibit/Tasting in Cyr-Gates Community Center,New Iberia City Park. Coordinated by “SweetFriends of the Teche” Cake Club. Communityinvited, free admission. For information call 364-6463.

■ 9:30 A.M. — Reception honoring ParishQueens - Preliminary Judging of Contestants.Membership Invited.

■ 9:30 A.M. — Vintage cars roll down MainStreet prior to Vintage Car Show in BoulignyPlaza. - www.crusincajuncountry.com

■ 10 A.M. — Children’s Parade. Main Street.Coordinated by the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival Association with the assistance ofAcadiana LifeStyle, the New Iberia Kiwanis Cluband the Key Clubs.Theme:“CelebratingLouisiana”. Information/Registration [email protected] or call 369-9323.

Immediately following the Children’s Parade, SugarDaddy Vintage Car Exhibit in Bouligny Plaza,General Public invited. Free admission.Coordinated by Cajun Country Cruising CarClub.


CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

FROM PAGE 4

BY JESSICA GOFF

THE DAILY IBERIAN

New Iberia native Stuart Smith,54, has been part of theLouisiana Sugar Cane Festival

and Fair’s heritage all his life, he said.From walking in the annual

Saturday morning Children’s Paradeas a youngster and driving in theFarmer’s Parade to coordinatingevents and hotel accommodations

Smith has been one of the wheelsthat has kept the festival going fordecades. It was no surprise that hewould be selected as the FestivalHonoree, though he said he is“shocked” he was chosen.

Smith is a veteran of the hospitalitybusiness in both Iberia Parish and inNew Orleans where he lived for severalyears.

In New Orleans he was the assistantfront office supervisor at the Hotel

Monteleone and worked as the guestservices manager at the HotelProvincial. In New Iberia he served asthe banquet supervisor at the HolidayInn / Ramada Inn and also as the quali-ty assurance director at Comfort Suites.

He attended the University ofSouthwestern Louisiana, now knownas the University of Louisiana atLafayette, where he was a member ofthe Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

He still maintains his ties to theCrescent City as a member of the NewOrleans Krewe of Vista and Arnaud’sRestaurant Fat Monday LuncheonAssociation.

His entire family has been heavilyinvolved in coordinating the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival and Fair throughits seven decades in Iberia Parish.

He said ideally he’d like to see more

locals involved in coordinating the sev-eral-day long celebration, which is pre-dominately run by volunteers.

“I just like being involved,” he said.“There’s too few people involved, andwe could use more. This is somethingpeople look forward to and is enjoyedby everyone it seems.”

In 2008, he was chosen as the FestivalVolunteer of the Year.

The festival takes plenty of earlyplanning such as ensuring there areenough hotels rooms for visitors,including pageant royalty and theirfamilies, all traveling participants andpatrons, he said.

But it’s all part of the experience, hesaid.

“I am very honored and surprised tobe named the 2011 Festival Honoree,”he said. “I sincerely hope that every-one will come out and support theSugar Cane Festival and have an enjoy-able and safe festival weekend.”

Smith dedicated life to sugar cane festivalF E S T I VA L HONOREE■

Stuart Smith was selected the 2011 Louisiana SugarCane Festival Honoree.


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SUGARCANEFESTIVAL & FAIR

Wednesday, Sept. 21stFAMILY NIGHT5 PM - UNTIL

All Rides $1.00Or 1 Coupon

Rides! Games! Food! For Everyone!

SPECIALMATINEE

Friday, Sept. 23rd12-5 PM

ALL RIDES $1.00 Or 1 Coupon

MITCHELL BROTHERS

Corner of Hwy. 14 & SucroseDrive, Across From Iberia

Parish Tourist Center BetweenLowe’s & Centerpoint Energy

Wed., Sept. 21st thru Sun., Sept. 25th

SHOWS

Thursday, Sept. 22ndWrist Band

Pay 1 Price –Ride All Night

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EARLY VOTING, OCT. 8-15ELECTION DAY, OCT. 22

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■ NOON – 11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows. Cornerof Louisiana. 14 and Sucrose Drive (Across from theIberia Parish Tourist Center, between Lowe’s and CenterPoint Energy) Community Invited. Free admission.

■ 12:30 P.M. — Luncheon honoring Queen Sugar 69th.$18 per person.Advanced sales only. Limited Seating. Call369-9323. *Immediately following: Sweet Stuff Reception(invitation included in luncheon reservations at SlimanTheatre)

■ 1:30 P.M. — Winners announced for Bayou Girl ScoutsBake-Off. Cyr-Gates Community Center, New Iberia CityPark. Free admission. Community Invited.

■ 7 P.M. – Midnight — 70 years of dancing in the street.Main Street at Iberia Street in Bouligny Plaza at the HiSugar Stage. Free Entry – Community Invited. (No icechests allowed)

Headliners:■ 7 - 9:30 P.M. Side Show■ 9:30 - Midnight — Rockin’ Dopsie Jr.Please help this event remain “free entry” by purchasing

your beverages and snacks at Festival booths in BoulignyPlaza .

■ 8:15 P.M. — Coronation of Queen Sugar 70 thLouisiana Sugar Cane Festival Bldg., New Iberia City Park.admission:Adults $5; Children $3. Community Invited.Tickets available in advance or at the door. (Doors openat 7:15 p.m.)

■ 9:30 P.M. — Coronation Reception (immediately fol-lowing Coronation) at Sliman Theatre, E. Main Street,admission $18 per person. Limited Seating.AdvancedReservations Only. Minimum age 18. For more informa-tion, call 369-9323. Community Invited.

SUNDAY,SEPT. 25■ 10 A.M. — Mass. Liturgical Celebration at Our Lady of

Perpetual Help Catholic Church at 1303 St. Jude Street,New Iberia. King Sucrose, Queen Sugar,Visiting Queens,Festival Dignitaries, and Community, honor our Lord.Community Invited.

■ 1 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows– Corner ofLouisiana 14 and Sucrose Drive (Across from the IberiaParish Tourist Center, between Lowe’s and Center PointEnergy) Community Invited. Free admission.

■ 2 P.M. — Louisiana Sugar Parade–Main Street .Sponsored by The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & FairAssociation – Community Invited.Information/Registration [email protected] or call369-9323.

Immediately following parade – Mitchell Brothers’ Shows,Corner of Louisiana 14 and Sucrose Drive (Across fromthe Iberia Parish Tourist Center, between Lowe’s andCenter Point Energy) Community Invited. Free admission.

General Membership in the Louisiana Sugar Cane FestivalAssociation is $50 and may be obtained by calling the fes-tival office – 369-9323.


FROM PAGE 5


Tobi Lee of Mustang Sally band fr om Nashville performsFriday night at the Sugar Cane F estival Fais-do-do. The fais-do-dos are some of the festival fans’ favorite events.

Judice does what he can for communityBY NEAL MCCLELLAND

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Doobie Judice may not be able todo many things, but he is morethan willing to do what he can

for the Louisiana Sugar Cane FestivalAssociation.

Judice, who is the assistant directorof marketing for the Iberia ParishConvention & Visitors Bureau, wasselected as the 2011 Festival Volunteerof the Year.

“I was really humbled to be chosenas Volunteer of the Year for 2011 bythe Sugar Cane Festival Associationbecause there are so many people inthis community that support the fes-tival and to single me out over every-one else is something I feel is veryspecial.”

Judice, the son of Carl Wayne andRonnie Judice of Loreauville, alsoadded that he hopes that being singled

out this way sets a bar for others whenthey are considered for volunteer ofthe year.

Notified in April of the honor, Judicehas lived around sugar cane all his lifeand knows and understands whatmakes sugar so special to the area.

He’s worked for the convention andvisitors bureau for 14 years, so heknows why the festival and the area isso special.

“Visitors to Iberia Parish see sugarcane as such a unique aspect, it makesyou realize how special it is to live inthis area,” said Judice. “I wouldalways push visitors in that directionduring that time of the year and wouldalways assist them anyway that Icould.”

For the past five years, Judice has

been the assistant director of market-ing for the bureau and through thathe has been able to promote theSugar Cane Festival and has beenable to handle that aspect and otherthings.

“I’ve always promoted the festivaland all the other events in the commu-nity through all the avenues that I’vehad available to me through our officeto make our events bigger and better,”said Judice.

Working to promote the festival issomething he enjoys doing and willalways continue to do as long as he isphysically able, or as he puts it, “Aslong as I can keep promoting the SugarCane Festival, and as long as I am ableto get up every morning, I will work tohelp the festival in any capacity that Ican.

“This is one of the most specialevents in this area and will always be asource of pride for the community.”

VOLUNTE ER O F Y E AR■

Doobie Judice was selected as the 2011 LouisianaSugar Cane Festival Volunteer of the Year.


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BY ANGEL HANEY

THE DAILY IBERIAN

White Castle native BuckleyKessler has been announced atthis year’s King Sucrose LXX

of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festivaland Fair.

Born into a family with sugar runningthrough their veins, Kessler of WhiteCastle is a third generation president andchief executive Officer of Cora TexasManufacturing Co. He grew up one-fourthof a mile from the mill.

Kessler received a business degree fromNicholls State University in 1976. Duringhis time there, he was the president ofthe Rotary Club, a member of Pi SigEpsilon and a member of the Air ForceROTC.

Immediately after graduation he beganhis managerial career at Cora TexasManufacturing, where he was appointedassistant manager.

Throughout his career he has been aboard member for the American SugarCane League, as well as chairman of theBoard of Directors for the Bank ofCommerce. He also is an active memberof the American Society of Sugar CaneTechnologists.

In 2002, Kessler assumed the role ofpresident and CEO of Cora TexasManufacturing. Under the management ofthe Kessler and Schudmak families, themill has continued to expand as well asbecoming more efficient. In 1976 the CoraTexas mill ground 239,000 tons of sugarcane and produced 39 million pounds ofsugar. In 2010, the mill ground more than1.5 million tons of cane and producedmore than 350 million pounds of sugar.

Aside from his life’s work at CoraTexas, Kessler’s passion is duck hunting.He is a lifetime member of the NRA andDucks Unlimited.

He has two sons, Bradley and ScottKessler and his cousin Charlie

Schudmak. They all hold managementpositions at Cora Texas.

Kesslery still resides in the sugar canefields of Cora Texas with his wife, Denise,anticipating the great things the fourthgeneration has in store for Cora Texas.

“I think the future has never beenbrighter,” he said.

His wife said she is proud of her hus-band for being honored as this year’sKing Sucrose. She also is excited to bepart of this year’s festivities. Kessler saidthe association has a full itinerary sched-uled for its new royalty from Thursdaythrough Sunday.

“We are looking forward to it,” theWhite Castle native said. “It’s going to bea lot of fun.” His wife said she is lookingforward to the boat parade, which isscheduled for Friday.

“The Bayou Teche is so beautiful,”Denise Kessler said. “We also can’t waitto be there for the blessing of the crops,which is really important to the farmers.”

Kessler to reign as King Sucrose LXX

JESSICA GOFF / THE DAILY IBERIAN

Buckley Kessler shows of his King Sucr osebanner at a recent press conference.

BY CHRIS LANDRY

THE DAILY IBERIAN

What began as a favor hasbecome a tradition in the boatparade held in conjunction

with the annual Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair.

Terry Frederick, 48, of New Iberiabought a houseboat in 2007 and entered itin the boat parade that year. The nextyear, after seeing that there wasn’tenough room for the festival’s visitingqueens to ride on the Sheriff ’s depart-ment boat as planned, Frederick wasasked if the queens could ride on hisboat, named “At Last,” for the parade.

“It looks like it started a new tradition,”said Frederick, who was chosen to be theBoat Parade Grand Marshal this year.“It’s 61 feet (long), so it’s plenty bigenough. It works.”

James “Smitty” Smith, a member of theSugar Cane Festival board of directors,

said the grandmarshal is usu-ally someonewho does some-thing for the fes-tival. Frederickfits that bill.

“This year Iwanted to honorhim,” saidSmith, who coor-dinates the boatsas well as gettingthe Coast Guard,Sheriff ’s Office and Wildlife and Fisheriesenforcement boats to work with the parade.“He’s a very, very nice guy.”

Frederick said he and his family usual-ly keep the boat moored at QuintanaCanal at Cyrpemort Point and taken it to

New Iberia for the Sugar Cane Festivaland Gumbo Cookoff and occasionallytake it out for other events. He was sur-prised when Smith asked him if he wouldbe the parade grand marshal this year.

“Actually, I was just expecting he wascalling to see if I’d bring the queensagain,” said Frederick of the phone callfrom Smith. “Each year it’s kind ofexpected. I wasn’t expecting (to be askedto be the marshal). I was on the board ofdirectors for the Sugar Cane Festivalback in the ’80s, so I know how muchwork it is. I was glad to do it.”

Frederick is vice president and co-owner of CF&S Tank and Equipment Co.along with his brothers Ricky and RobertFrederick, who bought their dad, CleveFrederick’s, share of the company severalyears ago. Cleve Frederick died in April.

“He gave us our work ethic,” said TerryFrederick. “We miss him.”

CF&S produces tanks mainly for oil-field-oriented businesses, such as storage

tanks for oil and produced water, as wellas production and process equipment forseparating oil, water and gas as it comesfrom the wells, among other services.

Frederick will have wife Beth and prob-ably three of his four daughters, whorange in age from 18-28 years old, as wellas his in-laws and possibly a granddaugh-ter and “a whole bunch of friends” on theboat for this year’s parade, as well as thecontingent of visiting queens.

“The children that ride along have agreat time,” said Frederick. “They enjoyhaving the queens there.”

And the queens also get to enjoy theparade, thanks to Frederick’s generosity,said Smith. The boat parade is one of thefestival’s great events, he said, free for peo-ple to enjoy and participate in, with any-thing from a 12-foot boat up to 150-footers.

Awards will be presented to the best-decorated boats in large, medium andsmall categories. The theme for the boatparade is Sugar Stars of the Teche.

Frederick accommodates queens on bayouBOAT PARADE MAR SHAL■

Terry Frederick


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BY HOPE RURIK

THE DAILY IBERIAN

For outgoing Louisiana QueenSugar Hailey Keller, being queen ofthe industry is about more than

pretty dresses and parades.“To me it’s about what you can do for

the festival and for others more than,‘Look at me; I’m the queen.’ ”

Keller said she’s been able to do andexperience a lot during her past year asqueen. Although the Mardi Gras ball inWashington, D.C., is at the top of her list,crawfishing in Breaux Bridge and thrash-ing rice in Crowley don’t fall far behind.

The 22-year-old started competing in pag-eants in 2005, and said winning the crown atthe Sugar Cane Festival and Fair had moreto do with the sugar than anything else.

“I have a lot of family in the sugar canebusiness,” she said.

Keller’s grandfather grew up on a sugarplantation and many other relatives

found work at the sugar mill in Gramercy.Competing to represent an industry she

believed in wasn’t any different than any-thing else she pursues, said Keller.

“I go into pageants like I go into any-thing else,” she said. “I’m going to bemyself and if they like me, they like meand if they don’t, they don’t.”

Her honesty won out judges like KimVeillon who said he remembers Keller asa “good ol’ Southern girl.”

In addition to her family’s sugar indus-try background, Veillon said Keller did not

appear to be solely competitive, but seemedto genuinely want to promote the industry.

The elementary education major inde-pendently named those qualities as thoseshe thinks any Queen Sugar should possess.

“(Queen Sugar should be) Someone defi-nitely genuine, sincere, who has a real lovefor the industry and who’s doing it for theright reasons,” she said. “The right reasonsaren’t to put on a pretty dress and go to pag-eants every weekend. It’s about who youcan help, who you can touch and who youcan tell all about the festival and industry.”

Love of industry, helping people


Queen Sugar the 69th is Haile y Keller of St.James Parish, daughter of K elly and TracyKeller.

‘To me it’s about what you can do for the festival and for others ...’

Hailey Keller

69th Louisiana Queen Sugar

■

BY HOPE RURIK

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Karen and John Gay, thisyear’s grand marshals ofthe Louisiana Sugar Cane

Festival and Fair, say the festivalis a generational affair for theirfamily.

John Gay’s father, Andrew Gay,was an active participant through-out his life as a sugar cane farmer,said Gay. John Gay followed in hisfather’s footsteps and not onlybecame a sugar cane farmer, butalso an active participant in thefestival.

Gay and his brother Price Gayco-own St. Louis Planting Inc., andplant on 6,300 acres across Ibervilleand Pointe Coupee parishes.

The brothers are the seventhgeneration of sugar cane farmersin their family.

Karen Gay also said her father-in-law was how she came to serveas director with the festival for 12years, representing IbervilleParish.

The Gays’ four children alsohave been involved with their par-ents at the festival throughout theyears.

“We even celebrated ouryoungest daughter's birthday atfestival,” said Karen Gay. “It’s avery important part of our life andthe sugar cane industry.”

The Gays said that as out-of-towners, they also appreciate theamount of work the people ofNew Iberia put in every year tokeep the festival going, addingthat embarking on the 70th year is

a milestone.“They maintain such a quality

festival,” said John Gay. “It ranksamong the best, if not the best, inLouisiana.”

Among the all the activities thatthe two participate in each yearand will act in this year, John Gaysaid he particularly enjoys recon-necting with all the people that arethere year after year, from the milloperators to the farmers to theorganizers.

John and Karen Gay said,although both have participated invarious capacities, they were par-ticularly honored with the title ofGrand Marshal for the 2011 SugarCane Festival.

“We feel very pleased and hon-ored to be asked to do this,” saidKaren Gay. “We want to supportefforts of festival and its promo-tion of the sugar cane industry.”

Iberville family sweet for seven generationsGRAND MAR SHA L■

Karen and John Gay of Iberville Parish are the grand marshalsof this year’s Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival parade.


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Representatives of nine sugar caneproducing parishes will vie for thetitle of Queen Sugar LXX

Saturday night during the festivities atthe Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival build-ing in New Iberia City Park.

The newly crowned queen will reignover the Queens Parade on Sunday andrepresent the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair for the next year.

Competing for the prestigious title are:

• IBERIA PARISH: Lacey Blanchard,21, is the daughter of Chris and AngelaBlanchard of New Iberia. A native ofNew Iberia, Blanchard is a 2008 graduateof Westgate High School and was classvaledictorian. She is a senior at theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette witha 3.9 GPA, majoring in kinesiology with aconcentration in exercise science.

Blanchard is a 2008-11 ULL Dean’s List hon-oree and was inducted to the Sigma AlphaLambda and Alpha Lamda Delta Honor

Societies. She was named an “AcademicallyDistinguished Student” by the ULL Honor’sConvocation and is a 2008-2011 recipient ofthe Pellerin Foundation Scholarship andULL Centennial Scholarship.

She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising,dancing, babysitting, traveling and sup-porting the Ragin Cajuns.

Blanchard is an advocate forLouisiana’s agriculture and aquacultureworkers and likes sharing the rich cul-ture of South Louisiana with others.

She plans to graduate in the spring witha degree in exercise science and attendOccupational Therapy School to become acertified occupational therapist, specializ-ing in pediatrics. She is employed as acounselor, tutor and youth mentor for theNew Iberia Recreation Department.

• ST. MARTIN PARISH: Harley RaeMelancon, 18, is the daughter of Craig

Who will wear coveted crown?

d’AlborBlanchard Carter Clement

Giambelluca Higdon Labat Melancon Waguespack

T H E C AND I DAT E S FOR QUEEN■

SEE CROWN, PAGE 10

For 70 years, festival growing strongerBY ANGEL HANEY

THE DAILY IBERIAN

California native Charles Stevensonrelocated to the Teche Area andbegan a one-day harvest celebra-

tion that has grown, much like the sugarcane industry it celebrates. For morethan 70 years, the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair has been the largestsugar cane celebration in the state.

The first Sugar Cane Festival was heldin 1937 and focused on Iberia Parishuntil 1940, at which time the festival’sorganization turned into the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival and FairAssociation. This new organization wascreated to encompass 16 sugar-producingparishes in the state.

The festival was held each year until1942, when many locals went to serve inWorld War II. The festival resumed itsannual schedule in 1945, growing a littlebigger each year. This year will mark the

70th annual Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair.

The first festival was originally a one-day harvest celebration held the day afterharvest, but harvesting now spans over afew months and the festival has grown to

five days that usher in the harvest season,rather than waiting until it is finished.

Organizers have added live music,parades, contests and fais-do-do’s, butevery year since inception attendees andparticipants have paid homage to a King

and Queen Sucrose, who are crownedeach year.

The first crowned king was three-timeLouisiana Gov. Earl Long, brother ofHuey P. Long. The first queen wasAlberta Nereaux Mestayer. The noble pairare hand-picked from the many residentswho dedicate their lives to the advance-ment of the sugar industry.

Festival association President MiriamKrepper has been working with the festi-val since she was in high school. She hasseen the festival grow over the years andgives credit to the dedicated communityand government that she said works welltogether to make the event a success.

“It’s huge because the whole communi-ty is involved and that’s the key to mak-ing it work,” Krepper said. “Other parish-es get involved and we welcome themhere and want to work with them. We’vebeen doing it for years.

“When you have the kind of talent thisarea has, it just works.”


Children line the street for the Louisiana Sugar Parade on Sept. 26, 2010. One of the area’slargest festivals, the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair turns 70 this year.

and Vickie Melancon of St. Martinville.She is a 2011 graduate of TeurlingsCatholic High School and is attending theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Melancon is a 17-year student of dance andhas been on the Performance Team /Competition Team for St. Martin Academy ofFine Arts through middle and high school.

She was a member of the competitioncheerleading team at Teurlings CatholicHigh School for four years and was namedcaptain of the squad in her senior year. Shewas selected as an All American Cheerleaderand was a jump-off finalist for three years.

Melancon enjoys volunteering forSpecial Olympics, Relay for Life and St.Jude Children’s Hospital. She loves totravel, having toured France, England,Italy and Greece and enjoys watchingmovies, snowboarding and shopping.

Melancon’s family is a fourth genera-tion sugar cane farming family.

Melancon is involved with the farmwork which she said has made her moreappreciative of sugar farmers in general.

She is employed with Melancon Sugar-cane Farmers and Hollister Clothing Co.

• ST. MARY PARISH: Carolyn LouisHigdon is the 18-year-old daughter ofJohn and Sheri Higdon of Franklin.

She is a graduate of Hanson MemorialHigh School, with a 4.0 GPA and serving asclass valedictorian. She was a member ofthe National Honor Society and CampusMinistry. She was honored as Hanson’sOutstanding Student. She received thePope John Paul II Religious medal, theScience Award and the Drama Award.

She is a freshman at Louisiana StateUniversity, majoring in theater performancewith a minor in mass communications.

Since early childhood, she has been aperforming arts student, involved withdance, piano, vocal music and acting.Higdon was a member of the DanceFactory’s competition team and played thelead role in several of the Teche Theaterfor the Performing Arts productions.

She enjoys traveling and hopes to pur-sue a European internship or work studyin New York.

• IBERVILLE PARISH: KathrynElizabeth D’Albor, 18, is the daughter ofKim and Lana D’Albor of Plaquemine.

She is a graduate of St. John theEvangelist High School and is a freshman atLouisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

D’Albor’s family has been involved withthe sugar industry for generations. Hergreat-great-great-grandmother founded,managed and owned M.A. Patout SugarMill in New Iberia and the mill is stillfamily owned. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were both sugar cane farm-ers in White Castle.

She is a four-year Scholastic HonorStudent and likes to travel throughout thestate to enjoy the “Louisiana’s SportsmanParadise.”

She enjoys volunteering. She was amember of the Catholic Heart YouthWork Camp, serving as a volunteer travel-ing to Kentucky and Tennessee. She wasa member of the Georgia GulfCommunity Advisory Panel and preparedcare packages for troops in Iraq.

She has organized the SJS “MissionMonday” and assisted special needs chil-

dren at the International Acadian Festival.She serves as a Relay for Life volunteer.

D’Albor is employed as an office assis-tant to the Iberville Parish school system.

• LAFAYETTE PARISH: AshleyElizabeth Giambelluca, 19, is the daugh-ter of Heather and Jeffery Giambelluca ofMarrero.

The New Orleans native is a graduate ofAcademy of Our Lady High School and

attends the University of Louisiana atLafayette.

She serves as head captain of the ULLCheerleading Team and teaches the art ofcheerleading.

Giambelluca enjoys traveling, especiallyto various college towns throughout theUnited States with the ULL football team.She enjoys spending time with family,


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CROWN: Nine young women begin judged to see who wears Queen Sugar crownFROM PAGE 9

SEE CROWN, PAGE 11 Lanae Lopez, a native of Californiawho has lived in Iberia Parish forthe past 30 years, has been selected

the 2011 Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival YaYa Queen.

Lopez is married to Matthew Lopez Sr.for 24 years. Lanae Lopez has four chil-dren Donny, Jeremy, Latricia andMatthew Jr. and 10 grandchildren.

“I have always been a great fan and sup-porter of the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival (and Fair),” Lopez said.

Lopez has been in the hospitality indus-try for more than 25 years. She wasemployed with the Iberia ParishConvention and Visitors Bureau for eightyears and is now employed with LaQuintaInn and Suites as general manager.

Dedicated to her job and her communi-ty, Lopez has been working in a positive,professional, loyal and ethical manner inpromoting Iberia Parish businesses,attractions and its beautiful, unique cul-ture.

Lopez has worked and volunteered withmany people and organizations, spread-ing blessings and peace, attempting tomake a difference in the community.

She is a big supporter and volunteer tothe U.S. military, having two of her chil-

dren — Jeremy and Latricia — who arepresently serving in the Louisiana ArmyNational Guard and have been deployedto Iraq.

“I am honored and take great pride inthe Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival andFair Association to be selected as the 2011Ya Ya Queen. Our community should bevery thankful and honored to have hostedthe Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival for thepast 70 years.”

Lopez is selected festival’s Ya Ya queen for 2011

YA YA QUEEN■

■ MARRIEDTO MatthewLopez Sr., LanaeLopez has fourchildren.

■ HAS BEENbig supporterof theLouisiana SugarCane Festivalsince shemoved toIberia Parish 30 years ago.

Lanae Lopez

BY PATRICK FLANAGAN

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Troy Comeaux will spend the 2011Sugar Cane Festival and Fair as“Mr. Iberia,” announced the Sugar

Cane Festival and Fair Association.Festival President Miriam Krepper said

Comeaux’s selection as Mr. Iberia is away for the Comeaux family to continuecarrying the torch of support for theSugar Cane Festival.

“His dad Caesar Comeaux was support-ive in past years,” Krepper said. “AndTroy’s always been supportive of the fes-tival. He basically carried on the tradi-tion set by his dad.”

Troy Comeaux will take the over as Mr.Iberia from Dan Doerle, who received thehonor last year, Krepper said.

Comeaux, who works in the construc-tion industry and serves on the IberiaParish Council, said he was surprisedwhen he discovered he would be this

year’s Mr. Iberia.“I didn’t see it coming at all,” he said.

“I’ve always been active with the festivalin many different ways.”

Over the years, Comeaux said he has

contributed to the festival in variousways, and most recently helped forge anagreement with the LouisianaPepperPlex Sports Complex to host theSugar Cane Festival and Fair.

Comeaux, a 50-year-old New Iberianative, said he can’t wait for this year’sSugar Cane Festival, which is slated tobegin Wednesday. The duties required for

a Mr. Iberia include attending theCoronation Ball, the Blessing of the Crop,the Boat Parade, and Children’s Parade,among other functions, Comeaux said.

“I’m absolutely looking forward to thisyear’s festival,” Comeaux said.“Everyone’s getting excited, especiallywith the cool spell we’ve been experienc-ing lately. That’s that festival weather.”

Comeaux ready to be Mr. Iberia in 2011 mall shopping, singing karaoke andattending church to enhance her faith.

She is a member of the UniversalCheerleading Association, an organiza-tion that travels throughout Americateaching middle and high school studentscheerleading. She is also a member of theKinesiology Profession Association andSports Medicine Association.

• LAFOURCHE PARISH: BrittanyLabat, 21, is the daughter of Chris Labatand Leslie Labat of Thibodaux.

The Thibodaux native is a graduate ofE.D. White Catholic High School andattends Nicholls State University. She is pur-suing a degree in human resource manage-ment and plans to graduate in December.She is employed as an administrative assis-tant at Cajun Home Improvements Inc.

Labat enjoys spending time with familyand friends, watching movies and fishingon the weekends. She volunteers her timefor various church activities and has direct-ed Vacation Bible School for St. GenevieveChurch in Thibodaux for the last two years.

• ST. CHARLES PARISH: BrandiNicole Clement, 19, is the daughter ofAlan and Lisa Clement of Norco.

The Southeastern Louisiana Universitysophomore is a graduate of DestrehanHigh School. She is majoring in nursingand plans to pursue a career in neonataland pediatric care.

She is on the SLU Dean’s List and hasreceived The Progression ScholarshipAward, Tops Award, Academic Endorse-ment Stipend and River Parish EducationInitiatives for Character Education.

Clement is a member of the LouisianaFarm Bureau Federation and volunteersat the German Coast Farmer’s Market.

She teaches an agriculture class segmentto local fifth-graders about the impor-tance of agriculture in their lives.

Clement’s family roots run deep in thesugar cane industry. Her great-grandfatherwas the overseer at St. Joseph’s Plantationin Vacherie. She enjoys visiting family andsampling sweet succulent sugar cane.

She has 11 years of dance training andis a graduate of John Robert PowersSchool of Acting and Modeling.

She is employed as a sales associate atPlanet Beach Contempo Spa.

• ST. JAMES PARISH: Amy FrancesWaugespack, 21, is the daughter of Lennyand Donna Waguespack of Vacherie. She isa graduate of Ascension Catholic HighSchool and attends Nicholls StateUniversity, majoring in nursing with a con-centration in neonatal and pediatric care.

Waguespack’s volunteer work includesparticipating in Robbie Page MemorialFoundation events to help raise funds forplay therapy for ill children and commu-nity service projects as a member of theCircle K organization on the NichollsUniversity campus. Waugespack grew upin a family surrounded by the sugar caneindustry, with several relatives workingin various occupations in the industry.

Her favorite memory as a child is walk-ing and sliding down the raw sugar pilesat South Louisiana Sugars Co-op in St.James Parish, which her fathered man-aged for 12 years.

She is employed as a phlebotomist atThibodaux Regional Medical Center.

• ST. JOHN PARISH: Chrissy MarieCarter, 20, is the daughter of David andStephanie Carter of LaPlace. She is agraduate of St. Charles Catholic High

School and is attending SoutheasternLouisiana University.

She has 10 years of dance training fromDance Unlimited Studios in LaPlace andtwo years of communication and elec-tronic media experience as a reporter,anchor and television host for “TheSoutheastern Channel.

She has performed in St. John Theatercommunity productions and various com-munity events for eight years. She hasbeen involved with St. John Parish Relayfor Life, tennis and cheerleading.

She is a news anchor and reporter for“The Southeastern Channel” and a sum-mer employee at Riverland’s CountryClub.

She has achieved a 4.0 GPA this pastspring semester and has been on thePresident’s List throughout college.

She was awarded a First Place Mark ofExcellence award for Best in SouthGeneral TV News Story by the Society ofProfessional Journalists and is featuredon WAFB’s website as an outstanding col-lege news reporter.


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■ MARRIEDTO Vanessa for27 years, andtogether theyhave a daughterand son.

■ COMEAUXCARRIES on along-tradition ofinvolvement inthe Sugar CaneFestival, whichwas started by his father Caesar Comeaux.

Troy Comeaux



King Sucrose 69 Jessie Breaux and Queen Sugar the 69th Hailey Keller at the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival and Fair Queen’s Pageant.


Hunter Landry, left, and Carl Viator II a t theLouisiana Sugar Parade on Sunday.


The Westgate High School marching band performs in the Louisiana Sugar Paradeon Sunday.


Folks enjoy the sights from the Duperier Street Bridge at the Sugar Cane Festival Boat Parade.


At the Louisiana Sugar Parade on Sunday.


At the Sugar Cane Festival fireworks.


Andy Smith of The Andy Smith Band performs Friday nightat the Sugar Cane Festival Fais do-do.


Lawrence Williams, left, and Debbie Griffin dance Friday night at the SugarCane Festival Fais do-do.


Bailey Ambrose of L.A. DancePowerhouse performing at the SugarCane Festival Children’s Parade.


At the Sugar Cane Festival Children’s Parade.

BY PATRICK FLANAGAN

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Troy Comeaux will spend the 2011Sugar Cane Festival and Fair as“Mr. Iberia,” announced the Sugar

Cane Festival and Fair Association.Festival President Miriam Krepper said

Comeaux’s selection as Mr. Iberia is away for the Comeaux family to continuecarrying the torch of support for theSugar Cane Festival.

“His dad Caesar Comeaux was support-ive in past years,” Krepper said. “AndTroy’s always been supportive of the fes-tival. He basically carried on the tradi-tion set by his dad.”

Troy Comeaux will take the over as Mr.Iberia from Dan Doerle, who received thehonor last year, Krepper said.

Comeaux, who works in the construc-tion industry and serves on the IberiaParish Council, said he was surprisedwhen he discovered he would be this

year’s Mr. Iberia.“I didn’t see it coming at all,” he said.

“I’ve always been active with the festivalin many different ways.”

Over the years, Comeaux said he has

contributed to the festival in variousways, and most recently helped forge anagreement with the LouisianaPepperPlex Sports Complex to host theSugar Cane Festival and Fair.

Comeaux, a 50-year-old New Iberianative, said he can’t wait for this year’sSugar Cane Festival, which is slated tobegin Wednesday. The duties required for

a Mr. Iberia include attending theCoronation Ball, the Blessing of the Crop,the Boat Parade, and Children’s Parade,among other functions, Comeaux said.

“I’m absolutely looking forward to thisyear’s festival,” Comeaux said.“Everyone’s getting excited, especiallywith the cool spell we’ve been experienc-ing lately. That’s that festival weather.”

Comeaux ready to be Mr. Iberia in 2011 mall shopping, singing karaoke andattending church to enhance her faith.

She is a member of the UniversalCheerleading Association, an organiza-tion that travels throughout Americateaching middle and high school studentscheerleading. She is also a member of theKinesiology Profession Association andSports Medicine Association.

• LAFOURCHE PARISH: BrittanyLabat, 21, is the daughter of Chris Labatand Leslie Labat of Thibodaux.

The Thibodaux native is a graduate ofE.D. White Catholic High School andattends Nicholls State University. She is pur-suing a degree in human resource manage-ment and plans to graduate in December.She is employed as an administrative assis-tant at Cajun Home Improvements Inc.

Labat enjoys spending time with familyand friends, watching movies and fishingon the weekends. She volunteers her timefor various church activities and has direct-ed Vacation Bible School for St. GenevieveChurch in Thibodaux for the last two years.

• ST. CHARLES PARISH: BrandiNicole Clement, 19, is the daughter ofAlan and Lisa Clement of Norco.

The Southeastern Louisiana Universitysophomore is a graduate of DestrehanHigh School. She is majoring in nursingand plans to pursue a career in neonataland pediatric care.

She is on the SLU Dean’s List and hasreceived The Progression ScholarshipAward, Tops Award, Academic Endorse-ment Stipend and River Parish EducationInitiatives for Character Education.

Clement is a member of the LouisianaFarm Bureau Federation and volunteersat the German Coast Farmer’s Market.

She teaches an agriculture class segmentto local fifth-graders about the impor-tance of agriculture in their lives.

Clement’s family roots run deep in thesugar cane industry. Her great-grandfatherwas the overseer at St. Joseph’s Plantationin Vacherie. She enjoys visiting family andsampling sweet succulent sugar cane.

She has 11 years of dance training andis a graduate of John Robert PowersSchool of Acting and Modeling.

She is employed as a sales associate atPlanet Beach Contempo Spa.

• ST. JAMES PARISH: Amy FrancesWaugespack, 21, is the daughter of Lennyand Donna Waguespack of Vacherie. She isa graduate of Ascension Catholic HighSchool and attends Nicholls StateUniversity, majoring in nursing with a con-centration in neonatal and pediatric care.

Waguespack’s volunteer work includesparticipating in Robbie Page MemorialFoundation events to help raise funds forplay therapy for ill children and commu-nity service projects as a member of theCircle K organization on the NichollsUniversity campus. Waugespack grew upin a family surrounded by the sugar caneindustry, with several relatives workingin various occupations in the industry.

Her favorite memory as a child is walk-ing and sliding down the raw sugar pilesat South Louisiana Sugars Co-op in St.James Parish, which her fathered man-aged for 12 years.

She is employed as a phlebotomist atThibodaux Regional Medical Center.

• ST. JOHN PARISH: Chrissy MarieCarter, 20, is the daughter of David andStephanie Carter of LaPlace. She is agraduate of St. Charles Catholic High

School and is attending SoutheasternLouisiana University.

She has 10 years of dance training fromDance Unlimited Studios in LaPlace andtwo years of communication and elec-tronic media experience as a reporter,anchor and television host for “TheSoutheastern Channel.

She has performed in St. John Theatercommunity productions and various com-munity events for eight years. She hasbeen involved with St. John Parish Relayfor Life, tennis and cheerleading.

She is a news anchor and reporter for“The Southeastern Channel” and a sum-mer employee at Riverland’s CountryClub.

She has achieved a 4.0 GPA this pastspring semester and has been on thePresident’s List throughout college.

She was awarded a First Place Mark ofExcellence award for Best in SouthGeneral TV News Story by the Society ofProfessional Journalists and is featuredon WAFB’s website as an outstanding col-lege news reporter.


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MR . I B ER I A■

■ MARRIEDTO Vanessa for27 years, andtogether theyhave a daughterand son.

■ COMEAUXCARRIES on along-tradition ofinvolvement inthe Sugar CaneFestival, whichwas started by his father Caesar Comeaux.

Troy Comeaux

and Vickie Melancon of St. Martinville.She is a 2011 graduate of TeurlingsCatholic High School and is attending theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Melancon is a 17-year student of dance andhas been on the Performance Team /Competition Team for St. Martin Academy ofFine Arts through middle and high school.

She was a member of the competitioncheerleading team at Teurlings CatholicHigh School for four years and was namedcaptain of the squad in her senior year. Shewas selected as an All American Cheerleaderand was a jump-off finalist for three years.

Melancon enjoys volunteering forSpecial Olympics, Relay for Life and St.Jude Children’s Hospital. She loves totravel, having toured France, England,Italy and Greece and enjoys watchingmovies, snowboarding and shopping.

Melancon’s family is a fourth genera-tion sugar cane farming family.

Melancon is involved with the farmwork which she said has made her moreappreciative of sugar farmers in general.

She is employed with Melancon Sugar-cane Farmers and Hollister Clothing Co.

• ST. MARY PARISH: Carolyn LouisHigdon is the 18-year-old daughter ofJohn and Sheri Higdon of Franklin.

She is a graduate of Hanson MemorialHigh School, with a 4.0 GPA and serving asclass valedictorian. She was a member ofthe National Honor Society and CampusMinistry. She was honored as Hanson’sOutstanding Student. She received thePope John Paul II Religious medal, theScience Award and the Drama Award.

She is a freshman at Louisiana StateUniversity, majoring in theater performancewith a minor in mass communications.

Since early childhood, she has been aperforming arts student, involved withdance, piano, vocal music and acting.Higdon was a member of the DanceFactory’s competition team and played thelead role in several of the Teche Theaterfor the Performing Arts productions.

She enjoys traveling and hopes to pur-sue a European internship or work studyin New York.

• IBERVILLE PARISH: KathrynElizabeth D’Albor, 18, is the daughter ofKim and Lana D’Albor of Plaquemine.

She is a graduate of St. John theEvangelist High School and is a freshman atLouisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

D’Albor’s family has been involved withthe sugar industry for generations. Hergreat-great-great-grandmother founded,managed and owned M.A. Patout SugarMill in New Iberia and the mill is stillfamily owned. Her grandfather and great-grandfather were both sugar cane farm-ers in White Castle.

She is a four-year Scholastic HonorStudent and likes to travel throughout thestate to enjoy the “Louisiana’s SportsmanParadise.”

She enjoys volunteering. She was amember of the Catholic Heart YouthWork Camp, serving as a volunteer travel-ing to Kentucky and Tennessee. She wasa member of the Georgia GulfCommunity Advisory Panel and preparedcare packages for troops in Iraq.

She has organized the SJS “MissionMonday” and assisted special needs chil-

dren at the International Acadian Festival.She serves as a Relay for Life volunteer.

D’Albor is employed as an office assis-tant to the Iberville Parish school system.

• LAFAYETTE PARISH: AshleyElizabeth Giambelluca, 19, is the daugh-ter of Heather and Jeffery Giambelluca ofMarrero.

The New Orleans native is a graduate ofAcademy of Our Lady High School and

attends the University of Louisiana atLafayette.

She serves as head captain of the ULLCheerleading Team and teaches the art ofcheerleading.

Giambelluca enjoys traveling, especiallyto various college towns throughout theUnited States with the ULL football team.She enjoys spending time with family,


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CROWN: Nine young women begin judged to see who wears Queen Sugar crownFROM PAGE 9

SEE CROWN, PAGE 11 Lanae Lopez, a native of Californiawho has lived in Iberia Parish forthe past 30 years, has been selected

the 2011 Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival YaYa Queen.

Lopez is married to Matthew Lopez Sr.for 24 years. Lanae Lopez has four chil-dren Donny, Jeremy, Latricia andMatthew Jr. and 10 grandchildren.

“I have always been a great fan and sup-porter of the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival (and Fair),” Lopez said.

Lopez has been in the hospitality indus-try for more than 25 years. She wasemployed with the Iberia ParishConvention and Visitors Bureau for eightyears and is now employed with LaQuintaInn and Suites as general manager.

Dedicated to her job and her communi-ty, Lopez has been working in a positive,professional, loyal and ethical manner inpromoting Iberia Parish businesses,attractions and its beautiful, unique cul-ture.

Lopez has worked and volunteered withmany people and organizations, spread-ing blessings and peace, attempting tomake a difference in the community.

She is a big supporter and volunteer tothe U.S. military, having two of her chil-

dren — Jeremy and Latricia — who arepresently serving in the Louisiana ArmyNational Guard and have been deployedto Iraq.

“I am honored and take great pride inthe Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival andFair Association to be selected as the 2011Ya Ya Queen. Our community should bevery thankful and honored to have hostedthe Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival for thepast 70 years.”

Lopez is selected festival’s Ya Ya queen for 2011

YA YA QUEEN■

■ MARRIEDTO MatthewLopez Sr., LanaeLopez has fourchildren.

■ HAS BEENbig supporterof theLouisiana SugarCane Festivalsince shemoved toIberia Parish 30 years ago.

Lanae Lopez


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Representatives of nine sugar caneproducing parishes will vie for thetitle of Queen Sugar LXX

Saturday night during the festivities atthe Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival build-ing in New Iberia City Park.

The newly crowned queen will reignover the Queens Parade on Sunday andrepresent the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair for the next year.

Competing for the prestigious title are:

• IBERIA PARISH: Lacey Blanchard,21, is the daughter of Chris and AngelaBlanchard of New Iberia. A native ofNew Iberia, Blanchard is a 2008 graduateof Westgate High School and was classvaledictorian. She is a senior at theUniversity of Louisiana at Lafayette witha 3.9 GPA, majoring in kinesiology with aconcentration in exercise science.

Blanchard is a 2008-11 ULL Dean’s List hon-oree and was inducted to the Sigma AlphaLambda and Alpha Lamda Delta Honor

Societies. She was named an “AcademicallyDistinguished Student” by the ULL Honor’sConvocation and is a 2008-2011 recipient ofthe Pellerin Foundation Scholarship andULL Centennial Scholarship.

She enjoys reading, cooking, exercising,dancing, babysitting, traveling and sup-porting the Ragin Cajuns.

Blanchard is an advocate forLouisiana’s agriculture and aquacultureworkers and likes sharing the rich cul-ture of South Louisiana with others.

She plans to graduate in the spring witha degree in exercise science and attendOccupational Therapy School to become acertified occupational therapist, specializ-ing in pediatrics. She is employed as acounselor, tutor and youth mentor for theNew Iberia Recreation Department.

• ST. MARTIN PARISH: Harley RaeMelancon, 18, is the daughter of Craig

Who will wear coveted crown?

d’AlborBlanchard Carter Clement

Giambelluca Higdon Labat Melancon Waguespack

T H E C AND I DAT E S FOR QUEEN■

SEE CROWN, PAGE 10

For 70 years, festival growing strongerBY ANGEL HANEY

THE DAILY IBERIAN

California native Charles Stevensonrelocated to the Teche Area andbegan a one-day harvest celebra-

tion that has grown, much like the sugarcane industry it celebrates. For morethan 70 years, the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair has been the largestsugar cane celebration in the state.

The first Sugar Cane Festival was heldin 1937 and focused on Iberia Parishuntil 1940, at which time the festival’sorganization turned into the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival and FairAssociation. This new organization wascreated to encompass 16 sugar-producingparishes in the state.

The festival was held each year until1942, when many locals went to serve inWorld War II. The festival resumed itsannual schedule in 1945, growing a littlebigger each year. This year will mark the

70th annual Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair.

The first festival was originally a one-day harvest celebration held the day afterharvest, but harvesting now spans over afew months and the festival has grown to

five days that usher in the harvest season,rather than waiting until it is finished.

Organizers have added live music,parades, contests and fais-do-do’s, butevery year since inception attendees andparticipants have paid homage to a King

and Queen Sucrose, who are crownedeach year.

The first crowned king was three-timeLouisiana Gov. Earl Long, brother ofHuey P. Long. The first queen wasAlberta Nereaux Mestayer. The noble pairare hand-picked from the many residentswho dedicate their lives to the advance-ment of the sugar industry.

Festival association President MiriamKrepper has been working with the festi-val since she was in high school. She hasseen the festival grow over the years andgives credit to the dedicated communityand government that she said works welltogether to make the event a success.

“It’s huge because the whole communi-ty is involved and that’s the key to mak-ing it work,” Krepper said. “Other parish-es get involved and we welcome themhere and want to work with them. We’vebeen doing it for years.

“When you have the kind of talent thisarea has, it just works.”


Children line the street for the Louisiana Sugar Parade on Sept. 26, 2010. One of the area’slargest festivals, the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair turns 70 this year.


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BY HOPE RURIK

THE DAILY IBERIAN

For outgoing Louisiana QueenSugar Hailey Keller, being queen ofthe industry is about more than

pretty dresses and parades.“To me it’s about what you can do for

the festival and for others more than,‘Look at me; I’m the queen.’ ”

Keller said she’s been able to do andexperience a lot during her past year asqueen. Although the Mardi Gras ball inWashington, D.C., is at the top of her list,crawfishing in Breaux Bridge and thrash-ing rice in Crowley don’t fall far behind.

The 22-year-old started competing in pag-eants in 2005, and said winning the crown atthe Sugar Cane Festival and Fair had moreto do with the sugar than anything else.

“I have a lot of family in the sugar canebusiness,” she said.

Keller’s grandfather grew up on a sugarplantation and many other relatives

found work at the sugar mill in Gramercy.Competing to represent an industry she

believed in wasn’t any different than any-thing else she pursues, said Keller.

“I go into pageants like I go into any-thing else,” she said. “I’m going to bemyself and if they like me, they like meand if they don’t, they don’t.”

Her honesty won out judges like KimVeillon who said he remembers Keller asa “good ol’ Southern girl.”

In addition to her family’s sugar indus-try background, Veillon said Keller did not

appear to be solely competitive, but seemedto genuinely want to promote the industry.

The elementary education major inde-pendently named those qualities as thoseshe thinks any Queen Sugar should possess.

“(Queen Sugar should be) Someone defi-nitely genuine, sincere, who has a real lovefor the industry and who’s doing it for theright reasons,” she said. “The right reasonsaren’t to put on a pretty dress and go to pag-eants every weekend. It’s about who youcan help, who you can touch and who youcan tell all about the festival and industry.”

Love of industry, helping people


Queen Sugar the 69th is Haile y Keller of St.James Parish, daughter of K elly and TracyKeller.

‘To me it’s about what you can do for the festival and for others ...’

Hailey Keller

69th Louisiana Queen Sugar

■

BY HOPE RURIK

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Karen and John Gay, thisyear’s grand marshals ofthe Louisiana Sugar Cane

Festival and Fair, say the festivalis a generational affair for theirfamily.

John Gay’s father, Andrew Gay,was an active participant through-out his life as a sugar cane farmer,said Gay. John Gay followed in hisfather’s footsteps and not onlybecame a sugar cane farmer, butalso an active participant in thefestival.

Gay and his brother Price Gayco-own St. Louis Planting Inc., andplant on 6,300 acres across Ibervilleand Pointe Coupee parishes.

The brothers are the seventhgeneration of sugar cane farmersin their family.

Karen Gay also said her father-in-law was how she came to serveas director with the festival for 12years, representing IbervilleParish.

The Gays’ four children alsohave been involved with their par-ents at the festival throughout theyears.

“We even celebrated ouryoungest daughter's birthday atfestival,” said Karen Gay. “It’s avery important part of our life andthe sugar cane industry.”

The Gays said that as out-of-towners, they also appreciate theamount of work the people ofNew Iberia put in every year tokeep the festival going, addingthat embarking on the 70th year is

a milestone.“They maintain such a quality

festival,” said John Gay. “It ranksamong the best, if not the best, inLouisiana.”

Among the all the activities thatthe two participate in each yearand will act in this year, John Gaysaid he particularly enjoys recon-necting with all the people that arethere year after year, from the milloperators to the farmers to theorganizers.

John and Karen Gay said,although both have participated invarious capacities, they were par-ticularly honored with the title ofGrand Marshal for the 2011 SugarCane Festival.

“We feel very pleased and hon-ored to be asked to do this,” saidKaren Gay. “We want to supportefforts of festival and its promo-tion of the sugar cane industry.”

Iberville family sweet for seven generationsGRAND MAR SHA L■

Karen and John Gay of Iberville Parish are the grand marshalsof this year’s Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival parade.


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THE DAILY IBERIAN

White Castle native BuckleyKessler has been announced atthis year’s King Sucrose LXX

of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festivaland Fair.

Born into a family with sugar runningthrough their veins, Kessler of WhiteCastle is a third generation president andchief executive Officer of Cora TexasManufacturing Co. He grew up one-fourthof a mile from the mill.

Kessler received a business degree fromNicholls State University in 1976. Duringhis time there, he was the president ofthe Rotary Club, a member of Pi SigEpsilon and a member of the Air ForceROTC.

Immediately after graduation he beganhis managerial career at Cora TexasManufacturing, where he was appointedassistant manager.

Throughout his career he has been aboard member for the American SugarCane League, as well as chairman of theBoard of Directors for the Bank ofCommerce. He also is an active memberof the American Society of Sugar CaneTechnologists.

In 2002, Kessler assumed the role ofpresident and CEO of Cora TexasManufacturing. Under the management ofthe Kessler and Schudmak families, themill has continued to expand as well asbecoming more efficient. In 1976 the CoraTexas mill ground 239,000 tons of sugarcane and produced 39 million pounds ofsugar. In 2010, the mill ground more than1.5 million tons of cane and producedmore than 350 million pounds of sugar.

Aside from his life’s work at CoraTexas, Kessler’s passion is duck hunting.He is a lifetime member of the NRA andDucks Unlimited.

He has two sons, Bradley and ScottKessler and his cousin Charlie

Schudmak. They all hold managementpositions at Cora Texas.

Kesslery still resides in the sugar canefields of Cora Texas with his wife, Denise,anticipating the great things the fourthgeneration has in store for Cora Texas.

“I think the future has never beenbrighter,” he said.

His wife said she is proud of her hus-band for being honored as this year’sKing Sucrose. She also is excited to bepart of this year’s festivities. Kessler saidthe association has a full itinerary sched-uled for its new royalty from Thursdaythrough Sunday.

“We are looking forward to it,” theWhite Castle native said. “It’s going to bea lot of fun.” His wife said she is lookingforward to the boat parade, which isscheduled for Friday.

“The Bayou Teche is so beautiful,”Denise Kessler said. “We also can’t waitto be there for the blessing of the crops,which is really important to the farmers.”

Kessler to reign as King Sucrose LXX

JESSICA GOFF / THE DAILY IBERIAN

Buckley Kessler shows of his King Sucr osebanner at a recent press conference.

BY CHRIS LANDRY

THE DAILY IBERIAN

What began as a favor hasbecome a tradition in the boatparade held in conjunction

with the annual Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair.

Terry Frederick, 48, of New Iberiabought a houseboat in 2007 and entered itin the boat parade that year. The nextyear, after seeing that there wasn’tenough room for the festival’s visitingqueens to ride on the Sheriff ’s depart-ment boat as planned, Frederick wasasked if the queens could ride on hisboat, named “At Last,” for the parade.

“It looks like it started a new tradition,”said Frederick, who was chosen to be theBoat Parade Grand Marshal this year.“It’s 61 feet (long), so it’s plenty bigenough. It works.”

James “Smitty” Smith, a member of theSugar Cane Festival board of directors,

said the grandmarshal is usu-ally someonewho does some-thing for the fes-tival. Frederickfits that bill.

“This year Iwanted to honorhim,” saidSmith, who coor-dinates the boatsas well as gettingthe Coast Guard,Sheriff ’s Office and Wildlife and Fisheriesenforcement boats to work with the parade.“He’s a very, very nice guy.”

Frederick said he and his family usual-ly keep the boat moored at QuintanaCanal at Cyrpemort Point and taken it to

New Iberia for the Sugar Cane Festivaland Gumbo Cookoff and occasionallytake it out for other events. He was sur-prised when Smith asked him if he wouldbe the parade grand marshal this year.

“Actually, I was just expecting he wascalling to see if I’d bring the queensagain,” said Frederick of the phone callfrom Smith. “Each year it’s kind ofexpected. I wasn’t expecting (to be askedto be the marshal). I was on the board ofdirectors for the Sugar Cane Festivalback in the ’80s, so I know how muchwork it is. I was glad to do it.”

Frederick is vice president and co-owner of CF&S Tank and Equipment Co.along with his brothers Ricky and RobertFrederick, who bought their dad, CleveFrederick’s, share of the company severalyears ago. Cleve Frederick died in April.

“He gave us our work ethic,” said TerryFrederick. “We miss him.”

CF&S produces tanks mainly for oil-field-oriented businesses, such as storage

tanks for oil and produced water, as wellas production and process equipment forseparating oil, water and gas as it comesfrom the wells, among other services.

Frederick will have wife Beth and prob-ably three of his four daughters, whorange in age from 18-28 years old, as wellas his in-laws and possibly a granddaugh-ter and “a whole bunch of friends” on theboat for this year’s parade, as well as thecontingent of visiting queens.

“The children that ride along have agreat time,” said Frederick. “They enjoyhaving the queens there.”

And the queens also get to enjoy theparade, thanks to Frederick’s generosity,said Smith. The boat parade is one of thefestival’s great events, he said, free for peo-ple to enjoy and participate in, with any-thing from a 12-foot boat up to 150-footers.

Awards will be presented to the best-decorated boats in large, medium andsmall categories. The theme for the boatparade is Sugar Stars of the Teche.

Frederick accommodates queens on bayouBOAT PARADE MAR SHAL■

Terry Frederick


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■ NOON – 11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows. Cornerof Louisiana. 14 and Sucrose Drive (Across from theIberia Parish Tourist Center, between Lowe’s and CenterPoint Energy) Community Invited. Free admission.

■ 12:30 P.M. — Luncheon honoring Queen Sugar 69th.$18 per person.Advanced sales only. Limited Seating. Call369-9323. *Immediately following: Sweet Stuff Reception(invitation included in luncheon reservations at SlimanTheatre)

■ 1:30 P.M. — Winners announced for Bayou Girl ScoutsBake-Off. Cyr-Gates Community Center, New Iberia CityPark. Free admission. Community Invited.

■ 7 P.M. – Midnight — 70 years of dancing in the street.Main Street at Iberia Street in Bouligny Plaza at the HiSugar Stage. Free Entry – Community Invited. (No icechests allowed)

Headliners:■ 7 - 9:30 P.M. Side Show■ 9:30 - Midnight — Rockin’ Dopsie Jr.Please help this event remain “free entry” by purchasing

your beverages and snacks at Festival booths in BoulignyPlaza .

■ 8:15 P.M. — Coronation of Queen Sugar 70 thLouisiana Sugar Cane Festival Bldg., New Iberia City Park.admission:Adults $5; Children $3. Community Invited.Tickets available in advance or at the door. (Doors openat 7:15 p.m.)

■ 9:30 P.M. — Coronation Reception (immediately fol-lowing Coronation) at Sliman Theatre, E. Main Street,admission $18 per person. Limited Seating.AdvancedReservations Only. Minimum age 18. For more informa-tion, call 369-9323. Community Invited.

SUNDAY,SEPT. 25■ 10 A.M. — Mass. Liturgical Celebration at Our Lady of

Perpetual Help Catholic Church at 1303 St. Jude Street,New Iberia. King Sucrose, Queen Sugar,Visiting Queens,Festival Dignitaries, and Community, honor our Lord.Community Invited.

■ 1 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows– Corner ofLouisiana 14 and Sucrose Drive (Across from the IberiaParish Tourist Center, between Lowe’s and Center PointEnergy) Community Invited. Free admission.

■ 2 P.M. — Louisiana Sugar Parade–Main Street .Sponsored by The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & FairAssociation – Community Invited.Information/Registration [email protected] or call369-9323.

Immediately following parade – Mitchell Brothers’ Shows,Corner of Louisiana 14 and Sucrose Drive (Across fromthe Iberia Parish Tourist Center, between Lowe’s andCenter Point Energy) Community Invited. Free admission.

General Membership in the Louisiana Sugar Cane FestivalAssociation is $50 and may be obtained by calling the fes-tival office – 369-9323.


FROM PAGE 5


Tobi Lee of Mustang Sally band fr om Nashville performsFriday night at the Sugar Cane F estival Fais-do-do. The fais-do-dos are some of the festival fans’ favorite events.

Judice does what he can for communityBY NEAL MCCLELLAND

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Doobie Judice may not be able todo many things, but he is morethan willing to do what he can

for the Louisiana Sugar Cane FestivalAssociation.

Judice, who is the assistant directorof marketing for the Iberia ParishConvention & Visitors Bureau, wasselected as the 2011 Festival Volunteerof the Year.

“I was really humbled to be chosenas Volunteer of the Year for 2011 bythe Sugar Cane Festival Associationbecause there are so many people inthis community that support the fes-tival and to single me out over every-one else is something I feel is veryspecial.”

Judice, the son of Carl Wayne andRonnie Judice of Loreauville, alsoadded that he hopes that being singled

out this way sets a bar for others whenthey are considered for volunteer ofthe year.

Notified in April of the honor, Judicehas lived around sugar cane all his lifeand knows and understands whatmakes sugar so special to the area.

He’s worked for the convention andvisitors bureau for 14 years, so heknows why the festival and the area isso special.

“Visitors to Iberia Parish see sugarcane as such a unique aspect, it makesyou realize how special it is to live inthis area,” said Judice. “I wouldalways push visitors in that directionduring that time of the year and wouldalways assist them anyway that Icould.”

For the past five years, Judice has

been the assistant director of market-ing for the bureau and through thathe has been able to promote theSugar Cane Festival and has beenable to handle that aspect and otherthings.

“I’ve always promoted the festivaland all the other events in the commu-nity through all the avenues that I’vehad available to me through our officeto make our events bigger and better,”said Judice.

Working to promote the festival issomething he enjoys doing and willalways continue to do as long as he isphysically able, or as he puts it, “Aslong as I can keep promoting the SugarCane Festival, and as long as I am ableto get up every morning, I will work tohelp the festival in any capacity that Ican.

“This is one of the most specialevents in this area and will always be asource of pride for the community.”

VOLUNTE ER O F Y E AR■

Doobie Judice was selected as the 2011 LouisianaSugar Cane Festival Volunteer of the Year.


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■ NOON – 11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’Shows– Kids Day – Between the hours of noonand 5 P.M., rides will be $1. Regular fare after 5P.M. Corner of Louisiana. 14 and Sucrose Drive(Across from the Iberia Parish Tourist Center,between Lowe’s and Center Point Energy) Freeadmission. Community Invited.

■ 2 P.M. — Sugar Cane Exhibit– opens for publicviewing – Cyr-Gates Community Center. Freeadmission. Community Invited.

■ 2 P.M. — Garden/Flower Show– opens forpublic viewing at Cyr-Gates Community Center,New Iberia City Park. Coordinated by AzaleaGarden Club. Free admission. CommunityInvited. For more information, contact SherryDarcey at 369-9323.

■ 2 – 4 P.M. — Sugar Artistry Exhibit/Tasting–Cyr-Gates Community Center, New Iberia CityPark. Coordinated by:“Sweet Friends of theTeche” Cake Club. Free admission. CommunityInvited. For more information, contact Virginia’sCake Supplies at 364-6463.

■ 2 P.M. — Art Show (adults and children)Sponsored by the La Sugar Cane Festival andcoordinated by L’Acadiana Art Guild. Opens forpublic viewing. Cyr-Gates Community Center,New Iberia City Park. Free admission.Community Invited. More information contactHeather Cole at 367-2714 or Roxy Blanton at364-2562.

■ 3 P.M. — Photography Show - Opens for pub-lic viewing - Cyr-Gates Community Center, NewIberia City Park coordinated by Faith Brasseaux.Free admission. Community Invited. For moreinformation call 364-7703 or 298-2326.

*There is no charge to enter any of the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival Shows.

■ 6:30 P.M. — 30th Annual Boat Parade beginswith a salute to the Grand Marshal of theParade, King Sucrose 70th Queen Sugar 69thand other Festival dignitaries. Reviewing stand atNew Iberia City Park. Free admission.Community Invited. Information/Registrationemail at [email protected] or call 369-9323.Theme:“Sugar, the Star of the Teche”.

■ 7:15 P.M. — Fireworks–Immediately followingthe Boat Parade (at dark). Free admission.Community Invited. (Across Bayou from CityHall)

■ 7 P.M. – Midnight — 70 Years of Dancing inthe Streets at the Fais-do-do/Music Concert,Bouligny Plaza, Main Street at the Hi Sugar Stage.Free entry – Community Invited. (No ice chestsallowed)

Headliners:■ 7 - 9:30 P.M. — Andy Smith Band (www.andy-

smithband.com)■ 9:30 - Midnight — Category 6Please help this event remain “free entry” by pur-

chasing your beverages and snacks at Festivalbooths in Bouligny Plaza .

■ 8:15 P.M. — Sugar Harvest Celebration hon-oring Festival Honorees. Membership Invited.

SATURDAY,SEPT. 24■ 8 – 9 A.M. — Registration for Bayou Girl

Scouts Bake Off - for District Competition. Cyr-Gates Community Center, New Iberia City Park.All troops invited to participate. Coordinated byBayou Girl Scouts. Free admission. CommunityInvited.

■ 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. — Photography Show –Coordinated by Faith Brasseaux - Cyr-GatesCommunity Center, New Iberia City Park. Freeadmission. Community Invited. More informationcall: 364-7703 or 298-2326.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. — La Sugar Cane Festival ArtShow - Cyr-Gates Community Center, NewIberia City Park. (Adults and children)Coordinated by L’Acadiana Art Guild, free admis-sion. Community Invited. More information con-tact: Heather Cole at 367-2714 or Roxy Blantonat 364-2562.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. – Garden/Flower Show. Openfor public viewing. Cyr-Gates CommunityCenter, New Iberia City Park. Coordinated bythe Azalea Garden Club. Free admission.Community Invited. More information, callSherry Darcey at 369-9323.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. — Silver Cup Sugar CaneWinner - Exhibit opens. Sponsored by the LASugar Cane Festival & Fair Assn; Cyr-GatesCommunity Center, New Iberia City Park. Freeadmission. Community Invited.

■ 9 A.M. – 4 P.M. — Sugar ArtistryExhibit/Tasting in Cyr-Gates Community Center,New Iberia City Park. Coordinated by “SweetFriends of the Teche” Cake Club. Communityinvited, free admission. For information call 364-6463.

■ 9:30 A.M. — Reception honoring ParishQueens - Preliminary Judging of Contestants.Membership Invited.

■ 9:30 A.M. — Vintage cars roll down MainStreet prior to Vintage Car Show in BoulignyPlaza. - www.crusincajuncountry.com

■ 10 A.M. — Children’s Parade. Main Street.Coordinated by the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival Association with the assistance ofAcadiana LifeStyle, the New Iberia Kiwanis Cluband the Key Clubs.Theme:“CelebratingLouisiana”. Information/Registration [email protected] or call 369-9323.

Immediately following the Children’s Parade, SugarDaddy Vintage Car Exhibit in Bouligny Plaza,General Public invited. Free admission.Coordinated by Cajun Country Cruising CarClub.


CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

FROM PAGE 4

BY JESSICA GOFF

THE DAILY IBERIAN

New Iberia native Stuart Smith,54, has been part of theLouisiana Sugar Cane Festival

and Fair’s heritage all his life, he said.From walking in the annual

Saturday morning Children’s Paradeas a youngster and driving in theFarmer’s Parade to coordinatingevents and hotel accommodations

Smith has been one of the wheelsthat has kept the festival going fordecades. It was no surprise that hewould be selected as the FestivalHonoree, though he said he is“shocked” he was chosen.

Smith is a veteran of the hospitalitybusiness in both Iberia Parish and inNew Orleans where he lived for severalyears.

In New Orleans he was the assistantfront office supervisor at the Hotel

Monteleone and worked as the guestservices manager at the HotelProvincial. In New Iberia he served asthe banquet supervisor at the HolidayInn / Ramada Inn and also as the quali-ty assurance director at Comfort Suites.

He attended the University ofSouthwestern Louisiana, now knownas the University of Louisiana atLafayette, where he was a member ofthe Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

He still maintains his ties to theCrescent City as a member of the NewOrleans Krewe of Vista and Arnaud’sRestaurant Fat Monday LuncheonAssociation.

His entire family has been heavilyinvolved in coordinating the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival and Fair throughits seven decades in Iberia Parish.

He said ideally he’d like to see more

locals involved in coordinating the sev-eral-day long celebration, which is pre-dominately run by volunteers.

“I just like being involved,” he said.“There’s too few people involved, andwe could use more. This is somethingpeople look forward to and is enjoyedby everyone it seems.”

In 2008, he was chosen as the FestivalVolunteer of the Year.

The festival takes plenty of earlyplanning such as ensuring there areenough hotels rooms for visitors,including pageant royalty and theirfamilies, all traveling participants andpatrons, he said.

But it’s all part of the experience, hesaid.

“I am very honored and surprised tobe named the 2011 Festival Honoree,”he said. “I sincerely hope that every-one will come out and support theSugar Cane Festival and have an enjoy-able and safe festival weekend.”

Smith dedicated life to sugar cane festivalF E S T I VA L HONOREE■

Stuart Smith was selected the 2011 Louisiana SugarCane Festival Honoree.


THANKS FARMERS!WE APPRECIATE YOUR LOYAL SUPPORT IN

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WEDNESDAY,SEPT. 21■ 5 P.M.–11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows -

Family Night, $1 per ride with 14 acres of ridesand excitement for the whole family at theCorner of Louisiana 14 and Sucrose Drive(Across from the Iberia Parish Tourist Centerbetween Lowe’s and Center Point Energy)Community Invited – Free admission.

THURSDAY,SEPT. 22■ 3 P.M.–11 P.M. — Mitchell Brothers’ Shows -

“Pay Once” price available as well as individualticket purchases. Corner of Louisiana. 14 andSucrose Drive (Across from the Iberia ParishTourist Center and between Lowe’s and CenterPoint Energy) Community Invited – Free admis-sion.

■ 6 P.M. — “Top of the Stalk” – Reception hon-oring King Sucrose 70th by the Former Kings’Association. (By invitation.)

■ 7 P.M.–Midnight — Fais-do-do /MusicConcert. Bouligny Plaza, Main Street at the HiSugar Stage. Free entry– Community Invited.(No ice chests allowed).

Headliners:■ 7 - 9:30 P.M. — The Cast■ 9:30 - Midnight — Geno DelafosePlease help this event remain “free entry” by pur-

chasing your beverages and snacks at Festivalbooths in Bouligny Plaza.

■ 8 P.M. – King’s Reception - honoring KingSucrose 70th and his wife, hosted by formerKing Sucrose and his wife. Music by Kenny & theHeartbreakers. Dress:“After Five”. Membershipinvited.

FRIDAY,SEPT. 23■ 8 A.M. — Sugar Cane Grower’s Day (Farmer’s

Day) - The community is encouraged to dress infarmer’s attire.

■ 8 A.M. — 4-H Sugar Cookery ContestRegistration - Cyr-Gates Community Center,City Park.

■ 10 A.M. — Mass & Blessing of the Crop -Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Building in NewIberia City Park. Community Invited. ContinentalBreakfast immediately after Mass.

■ 11 A.M. — 4-H Sugar Cookery ContestAwards presented to winners, Cyr GatesCommunity Center, City Park. Free admission.Community Invited.

■ 11:30 A.M. — Judging of Best DecoratedStorefronts & Residences in celebration of theSugar Festival and Industry - Judging is through-out the city of New Iberia.To insure inclusion,register on line at [email protected].

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5


Antique cars parade down Main Street and were on display, as they will be on Saturday.

Dress up yourself, business or home FridayBY MATTHEW BEATON

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Friday is Farmer’s Day — akaSugar Cane Grower’s Day — atime when Iberia Parish pays trib-

ute to the tenders of the soil.Miriam Krepper, president of the

Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and FairAssociation, encouraged locals, bothfarmers and non-farmers, to wear whatthey would in the fields.

“We ask anyone to dress in farmerattire; it’s a way to celebrate them,”Krepper said.

The day holds particular significancefor the festival, because the growers are,in large part, the reason for the five-daycelebration.

“The concept of the Louisiana sugarfestival was always built on farmers andtheir industry,” Krepper said.

She lauded area farmers — their disci-pline and hard work — and called them

“survivors” who are always willing tohelp each other out.

In Iberia Parish, she said, farming “ishuge; it employs many, many people.”

Ricky Gonsoulin, co-owner ofGonsoulin Farms LLC, said farming hasbeen in his family for 200 years. As theindustry evolves, he said improvementshave been made in efficiency, as he andothers have “expanded to multi-rowequipment” and increased crop yields peracre.

He likes that Farmer’s Day offers anopportunity to educate the area aboutabout what he does.

“Things on the grocery shelf don’t justappear,” he said.

His 2,700-acre farm holds 1,700 acres ofsugar cane and 300 acres of soybeans. Heexpressed optimism about local agricul-ture’s future.

“The industry is growing ... the nextfive years looks great,” he said.

Also, Friday will feature a Mass and

Blessing of the Crop at City Park,which Krepper said is “to pray for asafe harvest.”

Plus, the 4-H Sugar Cookery Contest

will be held. Prizes will be handed out forthe top desserts in various fields includ-ing cookies and pies.

For those with a sweet tooth, from 2-4p.m., the Sugar Artistry Exhibit/Tastingwill be held at City Park.

Friday also gives locals a chance toshow their sugar spirit. Storefronts andhomes in New Iberia will be judged ontheir decorations that honor the sugarfestival and the industry.

“People decorate their homes and we goand we judge,” Krepper said. “We’regrateful to the people that participate.”

Another event holding symbolic impor-tance for the festival is the 30th annualBoat Parade. The boats, Krepper said,were vital in distributing the sugar cane.After the parade, the annual Friday fire-works display will start at 7:15 p.m.Krepper estimated the cost of the fire-works at $5,000. “It is costly,” she said, butadded that thanks to fundraisers andsponsors the festival is affordable.


Richard Picard dressed as a farmer workingon his laptop computer for the LouisianaSugar Cane Festival’s Farmer’s Day.


A Special SaluteTo Our Farmers

We are proud to salute the f armers of our area,who are truly the backbone of our country.

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Success

morning for each festival for the pasteight years, he said, and loves everyminute of it.

Between 8 and 9 a.m. droves of families,bands, school athletic teams and clubs,dance teams and pageant royalty will gath-er in downtown New Iberia to await theircues from LeJeune and a host of volunteers.

“It takes a lot of effort from a lot of vol-unteers,” he said. “There is a lot of manpower behind this to put it all together.”

All Iberia Parish elementary schools areinvited to participate in the parade, eachrepresenting different portions of theBayou State and its culture, festival associ-ation President Miriam Krepper said.

Last year’s theme was “InternationalCelebration” with each school represent-ing a different country.

This year, Dodson Elementary Schoolwill be representing Louisiana jazz musicin the parade, school principal TimRosamond said. The spirit of Mardi Graswill be brought to the autumn parade by

Hopkins Elementary School.Each year the school holds its own

neighborhood Mardi Gras parade, schoolsecretary Jalana Durall said, and some ofthat tradition will be seen during the festi-val parade.

“We are actually working on traditionalcostumes this year,” she said. “We willhave a king and queen and convertingwagons into Mardi Gras floats. We aregoing to try to bring out a little bit of ourannual parade on to Main Street.”

The parade will run along East MainStreet from Prairie Street to SouthCorinne Street.

CHILDREN: Parade steps of at 10 a.m. and will travel through downtown N.I.FROM PAGE 2

LEE BALL/THE DAILY IBERIANAt the Sugar Cane Festival and Fair Children’s Parade in September 2010.

‘It takes a lot of effort from alot of volunteers.’

Kenny LeJeune

Children’s parade coordinator for Kiwanis Club

■

BY PATRICK FLANAGAN

THE DAILY IBERIAN

The 2011 Sugar Cane Festival will beaccompanied by three major exhi-bitions, showcasing local horticul-

turists, artists and photographers.

Art ShowThe art competition, hosted by the

L’Acadian Art Guild, will feature a vari-ety of categories for a range of age-groups, including an adult division forthose 18-years and older, a 13 to 17-year-old division, and a junior division for 8 to12 year-olds.

Contestants will be allowed to submitup to five pieces of two-dimensional art,which must be framed or wrapped in can-vas for hanging purposes.

Artwork must be submitted betweennoon and 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22 atthe Cyr-Gates Community Center, andjudging will be held Friday morning.

A public viewing of the artwork will beheld Friday afternoon between 2 and 4p.m., and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photography ShowThe 2011 Amateur Photography Show

will be held at the Cyr-Gates CommunityCenter and will feature the photographsof local youth and adults.

The competition will be divided intotwo divisions, a junior division for ages 8through 17, and an adult division forthose age 18 and above.

This year’s competition includes sevencategories, including photographs of ani-mals, people, flowers, black and white,nature, scenic, and the sugar cane industry.An additional competition will be reservedfor computer-enhanced photographs.

Show coordinator Faith Brasseaux saidphotos can range in size from 4-by-6 to 20-by-16, and must be framed and include the

Shows for competition and fun

SEE SHOWS, PAGE 23LEE BALL/THE DAILY IBERIAN

Carson Hebert likes the Sugar Artistry Exhibit.

hardware needed for hanging. Brasseauxsaid “no heavy frames” will be allowedfor submission.

Photos can be submitted between 9 a.m.and 5 p.m. on Thursday. Judging willbegin at 10 a.m. on Friday.

A public viewing will be held between 3and 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday.

For more information contactBrasseaux at 856-6910.

Horticulture ShowThe Flowers at the Hop Horticulture

Show, hosted by the Azalea Garden Club,will feature three competitions this year,including a general horticulture division,a design division and special exhibitfocused on public education.

For the horticulture competition, con-testants will compete for three awards,including the Top Exhibitor Award, theArboreal Award for shrubs and trees andthe Award of Merit for annuals, perenni-

als, roses, bulbs, corms, rhizomes andtubers, and cacti and succulents.

The design competition will featurethree themes, including a creative under-water design, a creative reflective design,and a creative synergistic design.

The third non-competitive categorywill focus on educating the public inmethods of protecting and conservingnatural resources, promoting civic beau-ty, while also advancing the art of gar-

dening, horticulture, floral design, land-scape design and the environmental sci-ences.

Exhibits will include either Hibiscusor Plumeria, and must be accompaniedby a general description, history, type,general care needed and fertilizer used.

For more information on theHorticulture Show, contact RubyNewcomb at 367-0277, or MargaretMelancon at 560-1279.


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EARLY VOTING: OCTOBER 8-15ELECTION DAY: OCTOBER 22

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serve you this year, and for many years to come.

2315 E. Main St . New Iber ia , LA 70560 337.364.0441 www.iberiamedicalcenter.com

Saluting Our Farmers, Serving Our Community.

Good Luck Farmers!

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BY JESSICA GOFF

THE DAILY IBERIAN

Festivities won’t be hard to miss atjust about 10 a.m. Saturday indowntown New Iberia, as local

and regional youth begin to proceeddown Main Street decked out in cos-tumes and ready to perform for specta-tors during the Louisiana Sugar CaneFestival and Fair Children’s Parade.

This year’s theme is “CelebratingLouisiana.” Between 500 and 600 chil-dren are expected to participate in thisyear’s parade.

The Louisiana Sugar Cane FestivalAssociation and the New Iberia KiwanisClub coordinate the event each year.

Children’s Parade director and 15-yearKiwanis Club member Kenny LeJeunehas been on the front lines organizingthe massive procession on Saturday

Children’s parade storyS TAND ING HEAD■

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & Fair Guide is a supplementalpublication of The Daily Iberian, P.O. Box 9290, New Iberia, LA 70562.

Publisher ....................................................................................Will ChapmanManaging Editor............................................................................Jeff ZeringueAdvertising Manager ..........................................................................Alan RiniProduction Manager ......................................................................Jerry SextonBusiness Manager ....................................................................Amanda SenecaCirculation Manager ..............................................................John “JP” Poirier

Children’s parade ......This page

Schedule of events ........Page 4

King Sucrose ..................Page 7

Sugar Cane Queen ........Page 8

Who will be queen? ....Page 9

Events in color......Page 12-13

Mr. Iberia ....................Page 14

Ya Ya Queen ................Page 15

Festival History............Page 16

Sunday Parade Grand Marshal

....................................Page 17

Leading boaters ..........Page 18

Top volunteer ..............Page 19

Festival Honoree..........Page 20

Farmer’s Day................Page 21

Shows aplenty..............


Lucas Harrington, left, and Destanee Butler of Dodson Elementar y Schoolreturn from a trip to the Swiss Alps. They where at the Sugar Cane F estivalChildren’s Parade.SEE CHILDREN, PAGE 3

SHOWS: Opportunity to educate public about local horticultural informationFROM PAGE 22


Millie Comeaux of Azalea Garden Club at theGarden/Flower Show.

LOU I S I ANA S UGAR C ANE F E S T I VA L MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 201124 THE DAILY IBERIAN

A product of

September 19, 2011

Boat Parade – p 18

Children’s Parade – p 2

King Sucrose – p 7

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