[StBernard] St. Bernard's Sugar Fest - Sunday, October 14, 2012

[Westley Annis]

4TH ANNUAL

OLD ARABI SUGAR FESTIVAL CELEBRATES ST. BERNARD'S "SUGAR" HERITAGE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2012

 

The Old Arabi Neighborhood Association will present this year's Sugar Fest
on Sunday, October 14th from 11a.m. until 6 p.m. on the grounds of LeBeau
Plantation located in the Old Arabi Historic District.

 

Music, food, art and history will come together during the Sugar Fest. The
Fest is being headline by some of the biggest names in the local music scene
including The Irene Sage Band, Bonerama, and Papa Grows Funk.  Sugar Fest
Committee Chairman, Ray Lauga, doubled the entertainment budget for this
year's festival as a way to grow the event. "We really feel that our
location near the river with the LeBeau Plantation and Domino Sugar Refinery
in the background makes for a great venue.  Bringing in bands with a large
following will really help the fest and the neighborhood's exposure."

 

Arabi resident Irene Sage, a talented musician and performer, is
coordinating the music for the fest this year, and is excited by this year's
lineup.

"With these bands you can't miss," she said.  Another can't miss is this
year's Sugar Fest Poster, designed by Louisiana artist, Jose Balli.  Much of
his award-winning work carries a Louisiana motif with a Cajun twist. His
colorful Sugar Fest poster highlights the impact of sugar on our area, even
portraying the meandering Mississippi River as "white water".   His
original, signed painting will be raffled off at the event.  Gidget
McDougall, Tourism Director of St. Bernard, said that Balli's unique vision
and artistry also will help expand the scope of the fest. "We commissioned
Jose to lend his talent to the Sugar Fest.  Not only is he tremendously
talented, his St. Bernard roots run deep.  Having his work showcased at our
event is a great addition for us."

 

Tours of the Old Arabi Historic District will also be a part of the event.
Tours of the area will begin at noon and will run throughout the afternoon.

And of course, what Louisiana event would be complete without food?  In
addition to a number of local vendors, this year's Fest will also feature a
culinary competition.  This Bake-arama will judge entries in three
categories cake, pies, and confectionary - cookies, candies and other sweet
treats all keeping with the "Sugar" theme.  Tom Braniff, a representative of
the Domino Sugar Refinery, is coordinating the bakeoff.    There is no entry
fee, but Braniff does request a recipe with each entry. 

 

He also encourages local bakers to utilize brown sugar, powdered sugar, or
white sugar in their entries as the judges for the competition will be
members of the local BPW. (Business and Professional Women).  For more
information about the competition, contact Braniff at 261-9868

 So tell your mama about the Bake-arama.

 

There is also some limited availability for food vendors at this year's
event.  Interested parties should contact Faith Moran at 278-4242

 

11- 12              WELCOME   EARLY BIRD DRINK SPECIALS

12 -12:45         CHALMETTE HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND

12:45                ANNOUNCE CONTEST WINNERS / HONEYBEES

1:00                  THE IRENE SAGE BAND

2:15 - 3:00       DONUT EATING CONTEST 

3:00 4:15         BONERAMA

4:30                  PARADE OF PRIZES

4:45 - 6:00       PAPA GROWS FUNK

6:00                   FEST ENDS

 

If you'd like to be a Sugar Fest Patron, please contact Faith Moran or
Gidget McDougall at 278-4242.  Patron benefits include your business name on
the 2012 Sugar Fest T-Shirts, 2012 Sugar Fest Poster, an invitation to the
Patron Party, and a private tour of Domino Sugar Refinery. This year's
Patron Party will be held in conjunction with the Art and Wine Walk on
Thursday, October 11th from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m.

 

The Art and Wine Walk will be the first opportunity for you to purchase this
year's limited edition poster. Jose Balli, the posters' artist, will be on
hand signing the posters.