Locals and visitors gathered to honor one of Louisiana’s prized produce: strawberries. Blazing temperatures did not sway crowds from gathering to enjoy a delicious variety of foods, including strawberry inspired treats along with dozens of family friendly activities.
The 45th annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival began on Friday, Apr. 8 and ended on Sunday, Apr.10. Locations for the festival spanned from Memorial Park and North 6th Street to downtown Ponchatoula.
The festival included carnival rides, competitions, music and more. Admission to the festival was free to the public.
One of the main highlights of the festival was, of course, the strawberry inspired food.
Many organizations from Southeastern joined the festival to serve various food and strawberry inspired treats.
The university’s Theta Phi Alpha chapter got in on the fun by serving strawberry shortcake to festival goers. According to Theta Phi Alpha sorority member and senior general studies major Helen Claire Jewell, Theta Phi Alpha previously sold sand art, but started selling strawberry shortcake as a fundraiser for the chapter.
Jewell expressed the importance of participating in local cultural events.
“It brings everyone together for a common reason and to have fun,” said Jewell. “That’s what Louisiana culture is all about, food, fun and laughter.”
Pat Ezell who previously lived in Folsom described her decision to return to the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival after almost 20 years.
“It has grown a lot,” said Ezell. “It’s very important to bring money to the city.”
Other attendees like Jennifer Taylor of Bogue Chitto, Mississippi were attracted to the overall ambiance of the festival.
“It’s family oriented,” said Taylor. “I love to see loving people because that’s the type of person I am. It’s fun here.”
One of the most important elements of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is the poster. Last year’s poster design by Kalle Siekkinen was stricken with allegations of racism. This year’s poster was done by Southeastern Alumna Allison Roques.
Kiwanis Club of Ponchatoula president Brian Steib explained that the posters are chosen by the Kiwanis Club board of directors and one member of the Strawberry Festival board. According to Steib, the artists are given creative freedom for the posters as long as it is related to strawberries or the festival overall.
“Last year’s poster was in no way meant to be controversial,” said Steib. “He, Siekkinen, used some of his characters that he portrayed in his art. We didn’t want to start controversy this year. You always look for something different. We didn’t want to cause any issue in the community, so that’s who we chose, she was the best.”
Roques, who is a 2005 alumni of Southeastern and a Ponchatoula native, expressed the importance of the Strawberry Festival.
“I grew up blocks away from here, so we could always walk to the festival,” said Roques. “It’s always been something I’ve looked forward to as a kid and my dad was on the board of the Strawberry Festival.”
According to Roques, her grandparents were strawberry farmers, so she considered them when designing the poster.
“Since it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, I’ve always wanted to make something historic, pretty and enjoyable,” said Roques. “I didn’t really consider the controversy.”
Attendees of the festival gathered to get posters signed by Roques and reflected on the design.
Michelle Smith of Covington expressed her love of the poster’s and her opinion on the two designs.
“For me, I loved both posters,” said Smith. “It’s about the Louisiana folk art. This year’s poster is so conservative because of last year’s controversy.”
On June 18th, the Strawberry Festival Queen XLVI Pageant will be held in the Ponchatoula High School Auditorium at 7 p.m.
For more information on the Strawberry Festival, visit lastrawberryfestival.com.