Candy-coated fun Friday: Time to reach for candy from Berry Queens
Downtown New Iberia was full of sugar Friday night as the 2018 Candy Toss Parade Berry Queens marched and rolled decorated go-karts, with a tribute to the ’50s.
The parade actually grew out of a ball and pageant Berry Queens founder Jerre Borland created in 2007, when she began searching for an idea to enhance the Sugar Cane Festival Parade.
The vision first became a reality when Borland became a board member and created a fundraiser for the Iberia Habitat for Humanity. In 2008, the Berry Queens put on their First Official Berry Queens’ Ball & Pageant.
Although the parade is much younger, the queens are proud to participate. And this year’s parade featured 27 go-karts.
Jeanerette resident Shamesha Hall said she enjoys bringing her pre-school son, Trameien Matthews Jr., to the event to watch him marvel at the colors and, of course, reach for candy.
Her mother, Wilmetta however, enjoys the event because she gets to catch up with her former long-time co-worker, Sandra Morvant.
“We’re best friends, like sisters,” Morvant said.
“Sisters from the casino (Cypress Bayou Casino Hotel) — that’s where we used to work,” Hall said.
Javier Hall, Wilmetta’s grandson, said was present for just one thing— the candy. He is student at Glencoe Charter School.
Ronnie Dore and his wife Natalie said they are veterans of the festival; but now that they’re older, their focus is watching the candy toss parade with their son, Reed.
“We loved to dance at the fais-do-do and the boat parade. But now, we enjoy watching our son reach for candy. It’s a great event for the kids,” Dore said.
Robert and Joyce Boudreaux of New Iberia, who have been married 56 years this year, said they try to attend everything with the festival, however the parades and the food are their favorites.
“We’ve been coming all of our life,” Joyce said. “He’s older than me. He’s 80 but, thank God, I’m 79,” she said.
“I think this is the third or fourth year. We’re here to see our daughter-in-law, Roxie Boudreaux.”
“We’re from New Iberia. We’ve lived here forever,” Joyce said.
Jason Varnado and Shane Tauzin drove the 2018 Royal Queen’s Go-Kart, which feted Queen Karen Tauzin.
“I’m with the crazy man ,Shane Tauzin ,and his wife is the queen,” Varnado said.
“This is awesome. I’m a Louisiana girl and I’m having the time of my life,” Berry Queen Karen Tauzin said.
Lauren Lamperez and Tiffany Holmes said they were having fun walking with Tauzin in the parade representing her by wearing Louisiana Girl Shirts.
Dr. Breigh Foster and her sister-in-law, Dianne, LeBlanc, chief technology officer for the Iberia School District, were sporting bright orange big hair for the event.
Foster said it’s good ,clean fun for everyone and good support for the community.
Vanessa Gutierrez, visiting from Texas, said she was proud to be a part of this year’s event.
“I’m loving this. A wonderful memory to go back home with,” she said.