I

t was predictable that news about a proposal to move the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair out of Iberia Parish would generate a lot of public interest and a heck of a lot of comment. A story in Wednesday’s Daily Iberian reported board members Monday night voted 9-7 to move the festival to Youngsville. Because four absent board members submitted proxy votes, the tally was recorded at 10-10. Board President Ronald Gonsoulin cast a tie-breaking vote, to keep the festival in New Iberia.

The story was posted on this newspaper’s website at www.iberianet.com where as of Friday more than 40 comments had been posted and on Facebook the story had received more than 11,000 views.

Board Vice-President Doyle Copell promoted the move. He said the festival needs “a facelift.” He said board members are concerned about dwindling revenue, lack of attendance and “… most of all security concerns.”

Gonsoulin said there was already in place for next year a signed contract for security. And he pointed out there would be costs for security anywhere the festival is held. Certainly those in St. Martinfille understand that, after costs for security have been an issue for several groups that host parades and which have caused the community’s annual Christmas parade to be cancelled.

Iberia Parish President Larry Richard, New Iberia Mayor-elect Freddie Decourt and other community leaders were at the board meeting to speak on behalf of keeping the festival here.

The festival organization is a private entity, so it can operate as it sees fit, including moving to another parish. But maybe it’s not just geography that has limited the festival’s attendance in recent years? Maybe after 75 years the festival needs some updating as far as what it offers, where, and how, since while it’s a private effort, it depends upon public participation for its success.

Since the story in Wednesday’s paper lots of people have expressed ideas on things that might be done to improve the festival, at least in their eyes.

Richard suggested, “Let’s do the things we need to do to make it (the festival) right.” That would seem to include providing opportunities for the public to offer suggestions and for interested persons to get involved.

Now that losing the festival is perhaps seen as a real threat, maybe if the board will invite public comment and ideas, and offer opportunities for new people to get involved, maybe it’ll pump new life in this festival that has been a part of this community for 75 years.

“It is nothing but a good cultural asset for the parish,” Gonsoulin said. “Everyone in this community wants to keep the festival here.”

Clearly not everyone does since the vote was so close. But clearly many people do want to keep the festival here so now is the time to invite those people to offer suggestions and get involved.

It is the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair, not the Iberia Parish festival but it’s been in Iberia Parish so long, it feels like our festival. 

Now’s the time for locals to step forward, and keep it here — where it belongs.

WILL CHAPMAN

PUBLISHER