This weekend Queen Sugar the 77th will be crowned by Queen Sugar 76 Taylor Judice. “I was really passionate about the industry and I studied a lot. I’m with a lot of farmers and it really became something that was close to my heart. It was just a feeling I really can’t describe and I’m really hoping that we find a girl this weekend that feels the same way,” Judice said.
During her reign, Judice traveled across the state promoting the sugarcane industry. She says, “The sugar industry contributes $3 billion to our economy which is huge. About 16,400 jobs and over 430,000 acres I think we’re up to now are planted a year. It really has a tremendous impact on our state and I think people should know that.”
Donald Segura has been a farmer his entire and now he’s a king. He will reign over next years festival as King Sucrose the 77th, alongside the lucky lady who will be crowned on Saturday. Segura and his family farm over 4,600 acres of land in Iberia parish.
“I’m glad to be chosen King Sucrose, it’s a big honor especially since I’ve been in the Sugarcane industry my whole life. I think when I was born 77 years ago, my eyes woke up and I saw tractor so I really enjoy it.”
Segura says his two sons will carry on the family tradition of farming, as well as two grandchildren.
“The largest sugarcane growing area is Iberia Parish and the reason why the sugar festival is at this time of the year is that the crop for next year is being planted, and usually finishes off in the latter part of September. In the first week of October usually the harvest season starts so this is why we get a couple of three days to kind of enjoy the festivities and then we start back. Grinding time is a 24 hour seven day a week 110 days of no stopping. Sleet, snow, rain we just keep going,” says Segura.
The 2018 Queen Sugar Pageant will be held Saturday, Sept. 29th, at the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival Building, 600 Parkview Drive, In New Iberia City Park.
The doors open at 6:00 p.m and admission is $5. The community is invited to attend the pageant, beginning at 7:00 p.m. The contestants are:
1. St. John Parish – Janet Nelson
2. St. Martin Parish – Chalisse Huval
3. St. Mary Parish – Baylee Young
4. Ascension Parish – Emilie Schwing
5. Iberia Parish – Brandi Broussard
6. Iberville Parish – Victoria Savoy
7. Lafourche Parish – Sydney Poche
8. Pointe Coupee – Brooke Glaser
9. St. Charles Parish – Maya Ruffin
10. St. James Parish – Savannah Loupe
