[StBernard] Sugar Fest

[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.