PPFOF Wins Multiple Awards at Annual Fairs and Festivals Convention

The Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival (PPFOF) culminated its 75th anniversary year with multiple awards received last week at the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals (LAFF) annual convention in Baton Rouge, including the prestigious Classic Award/Fair of the Year for Division 1 Festivals.

In a sweep of awards, the PPFOF commemorative poster by artist Becky Fos placed first in the poster competition and the Queen’s Annual Program, designed and edited by Paula Cappiello and produced by Print All, Inc. placed first in the program competition. Several other first place awards were received for various marketing items sold as festival souvenirs.

Catherine Blondiau, a senior at Belle Chasse High School received a $500 scholarship. The award took into account her GPA, an essay entry on the importance of volunteerism and her contributions as a community volunteer. Additional Essay Contest winners included Maria Salomon-Ortiz from Boothville-Venice Elementary School who placed second for grades 6-8, Tai Nguyen from Belle Chasse High School who placed second for grades 9-12, and Jamiya Addison from Phoenix High School who placed third for grades 9-12.

Poster contest winners included Cole Adams from Belle Chasse Middle School who placed first for grades 4-6, Savannah Riley from South Plaquemines High School who placed second for grades 7-9, and Levinson Khoeum from South Plaquemines High School who placed second for grades 10-12. Nearly $1,000 in cash prizes is awarded to the school and district level essay and poster winners by the Orange Festival each year.

“I want to congratulate our officers, board members, sponsors and volunteers who all contributed to making our 75th Anniversary festival an outstanding event,” said Kim Turlich-Vaughan, PPOF President. “Being recognized by the state association of Fairs and Festivals with the Fair of the Year Classic Award was a wonderful surprise and validation of our efforts.”

For several years, the Orange Festival and Plaquemines Parish Seafood Festival have co-hosted a hospitality booth at the LAFF event. This year, the Orange Festival was awarded Second Plate for Best Decorated Booth. The Seafood Festival won first place for the best Main Dish food, serving their signature fried catfish. Together, the Orange Festival and Seafood Festival placed third, in the Best Drink Category for the famous Tako Toddy, served at both festivals annually.

Annabelle Picou, the 75th Orange Queen was honored to be selected in the top 15 at the Queen of Queens Pageant. Also placing in the top 15 was Belle Chasse resident, Alayna Robichaux, representing the Redfish Festival.

PPFOF officers and board members will attend the March 14 Plaquemines Parish Board Meeting at Belle Chasse Elementary School to present awards to the students. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.