The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival’s Premier Event

By Barbara Gautreaux

The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & Fair Association’s premier fundraiser has an entirely new focus as a result of the newly seated board of directors. The event, formerly known as “Best Dressed On The Teche,” has been refocused on the name that was originally developed by the Acadiana LifeStyle creative team—“Stars of Style.” This is now the official title for the gala, which promises to be bigger and better than ever before.

Dedicated to providing school children with an outstanding parade experience during the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival each September, this gala event brings community leaders together to model their favorite outfits for the crowd of supporters.

The organizers have planned an evening of fine dining and entertainment for those cheering on the 17 dedicated followers of fashion. The Stars of Style evening will be held Thursday, July 26at a brand new location. Previously the gala was held on stage at the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Building, but the event’s popularity has outgrown the space available. The new board has decided to move to a much larger location, the Ballroom at the Hampton Inn & Suites, 400 Spanish Towne Boulevard in New Iberia just off La. Hwy. 14. This new venue will accommodate over 300 guests for the event.

Sugar is the number one agricultural product in Iberia Parish and the festival events put on every September celebrate the huge contribution the industry makes to our local economy. The Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & Fair is held the last full weekend in September, with entertainment and educational opportunities for all to enjoy.

Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & Fair Association President Jessie Breaux and Director Angela Boudreaux Blanchard along with Board Member and Stars Of Style Chairman Geri Frederick invite you to support this fundraiser, which allows New Iberia to continue highlighting the unique culture of the sugar cane growing community. According to Frederick, “The gala will be a phenomenal success and our goal is to reach $20,000 for this event, and also to secure a funding mechanism for the Festival Association.”

Along with the New Iberia Kiwanis Club,the Association provides insurance, decorations and a children’s themed float for every Iberia Parish school to participate in the Saturday Children’s Parade. Any area high school band that wishes to participate is also given the opportunity to march for free.

The parade is always one of the most-anticipated celebrations, as elementary school children walk on Main Street in their costumes, to the delight of the crowd. Without this fundraiser, it would not be possible, and the committee is promising a fabulous event this year.

This is the official and original fundraiser featuring local participants modeling their favorite fashions. The models were selected by an independent committee working with the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival & Fair Association to host the event.

A limited number of tickets are available until July 20 for $125 each, or $1,000 for a table of eight. Call the Association at 369-9323 to purchase your tickets. A live auction will be held with one grouping of Louisiana landscape paintings by John L. Weimer. The “After Five” gala event is an opportunity to dress up, support your favorite model, and enjoy a unique experience.

Special Thanks To The “Stars of Style” Committee

Chairman, Geri Frederick. Members: Sherion Lourd, Phyllis Mata, Angela Blanchard, Bo Belanger, Caryn Hymel, Darlene Barras, Cathy Myers, Chris Blanchard, Blair Blanchard and Tanya Scott.