5/25/2006: Shrimp and Petroleum Queen

Axlrosen locates this Queen of the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, and 2005 Queen Abby Bruas features this unbelievably lovely gown to mark the honor.

Wait, Shrimp and Petroleum Festival? Doesn't sound like two great tastes that would taste great together...

IotD always features weird festivals from around the world, but it turns out that Louisiana is actually the Weird Festival center of the world. And what's more, they have Queens of all of them. The Gueydan Duck Festival Queen, the Louisiana Swine Festival Queen, Porte Barre Lion's Club Cracklin Festival Queen, Miss Nanitoches Meat Pie Festival Queen, Woodmen of the World Sausage Festival Queen. It's almost like people in LA can't hold a conference meeting without picking out which young gal is the prettiest. There appears to be no irony in it and Louisiana seems to have no shortage of young good-lookin' women who are willing to compete for and be tagged with such insane titles.

I suppose there's something wrong with this, but I'm not sure exactly what. It makes me vaguely uncomfortable.

The young ladies in comptetion get a chance to display their comportment, get dressed up, be crowned, be addressed as "queen" or "princess". My sister participated in some of these when we were younger. She had a good experience with it, and won a couple, too. There was essay writing, interviews (none on the casting couch, though (I hope)), and for one, she got a $500 scholarship.

It works out for the sponsor too. Lots of chatter and buzz about the festival queen, and look how pretty, etc, etc. Mindshare, y'know.

The train is over the top, but at least it's better than an image of an oil spill.

The festival's web site is equally cheezy. Click if you want to see how not to build a web site. (On the other hand, who knows? Maybe this is exactly the kind of web site that Louisianans would love?)

http://www.shrimp-petrofest.org/ (turn on sound for full effect)

Obligatory Louisiana joke:

Louisiana has its own version of the see and say (you remember the kids toy - you pull the string and it points to an animal and then says the name). In the Louisiana version it doesn't matter which animal it points to. The recording always says, "Them's good eatin'".

Must...Have...That...Gown...

The 2005 - 2006 Washington Parish Watermelon Festival Queen.......is Asian?

Is the border on that train made of blue tarp material?

Hell, you sure ain't seen many blue tarps. There's no mistaking the color of those things.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce The 2005 - 2006 Washington Parish Watermelon Festival Queen.......is Asian?

Oh, you're just showing off your little tm thingy.

Wow - I've been too distracted by the gown to notice the mural she's standing in front of. Is that... a giant shrimp, climbing an oil derrick? Possibly being shot at by helicopters??

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce Oh, you're just showing off your little tm thingy.

Holy fuck that's weird

EDIT: Shrimpzilla, that is.

Seriously,

I'm glad someone pointed out something from Louisiana that wasn't about its armpit: New Orleans.

The festivals, primarily in the rural areas of South Louisiana, are an excuse for the hard working locals to get together and have some fun - usually poking fun at themselves and traditions and anything/everything. They're very family oriented.

Other festivals include(d) the beloved Shemp Festival (no longer I think). ... Shemp, as in one of the three stooges. ...and the Washington Parish Free Fair (costs nothing to attend) ... and the Ponchatoula Strawberry festival ... The Jamalaya Festival in Gonzales (south of Baton Rouge) ... other interesting things are the Highland Games just north of Baton Rouge, the Renaissance festival, and Octoberfest... and we have music festivals (not counting New Orleans stuff) such as Fest-For-All.

...and the locals know how to make some of the best food (animal jokes aside) you'll ever have!

She's simply awesome
chorus:
Petroleum queen
now we're sharing the same dream
and our hearts they beat as one
no more shrimp on the run

Hey OXB, don't be moving our shit to the west.
"And anvil shoots, too."

You mean that's an Ol Miss exclusive?

I was thinking fried shrimp when I saw the thread title.

Well actually everyone on here is wrong.
I wanna know exactly how many of you actually reside in Louisiana.
Not every festival has a queen. There are hundreds of festival but only about 100 queens. I happen to be one of them. And not just rural areas have them. They are located in every large city in the state. There is actually only about 2 in New Orleans anyway. And a festival is the celebration of a commodaty in that specific place. If you're town has a festival it shows that you are proud of it. And as goes for the queens, it is not easy being one. I think that we should all be applauded for all that we have to go through. We deserve respect, and not just from people in our own state.

and we are not picked on beauty, but intellegence

oh, obviously.

what does bhf stand for?

let's all guess, shall we?

All together now:

"It's Not Easy Being Queen"

Quote:

Originally Posted by axlrosen Wow - I've been too distracted by the gown to notice the mural she's standing in front of. Is that... a giant shrimp, climbing an oil derrick? Possibly being shot at by helicopters??

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 and we are not picked on beauty, but intellegence

That's some good detective work xoB. I worked out that the only festival with BHF is Black Heritage Festival...

Is this you Miss BHF? If so, the smile is very cool, the crown is totally awesome. I take back whatever I originally said, I must have been grumpy and particularly sarcastic that day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad The Gueydan Duck Festival Queen, the Louisiana Swine Festival Queen, Porte Barre Lion's Club Cracklin Festival Queen, Miss Nanitoches Meat Pie Festival Queen, Woodmen of the World Sausage Festival Queen. It's almost like people in LA can't hold a conference meeting without picking out which young gal is the prettiest.

If she is BHF queen, lemme just tell her: hello, welcome and that is one popish crown ya gots on there.

Um, did anyone notice that this thread is two years old?

I get confused easily enough without resurrecting old threads and making me think they're new and I missed them.

don't fuss--we got a new member from it. Short-term, probably, tho.

And no, I didn't notice. That means they have a new queen! And why shouldn't Louisianans celebrate what they can, especially after Katrina?

It's good to be the queen.[/Mel Brooks]

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce From what I've seen of beauty pageants around the country, the winners range from PHD candidates to dumb as box of rocks . . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianR Um, did anyone notice that this thread is two years old?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl I missed this thread first time around...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveDallas Based on my experience, the two are not mutually exclusive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl Me, I like some expert feedback.

That cow's tongue still turns up.

(trying to find the cow in the picture. so I'm slow. bite me.)

Actually that's not me. It's the girl who crowned me. And there was no anger in what I said, I just didn't want anyone to be misinformed for what said. Yes, I did think that Shrimp and Petroleum is a really odd combination, but you'd have to go to Morgan City, LA to really understand.

do we have to?

stick around, miss big hair fan! you might be pleasantly surprised at what goes on here.

then again . . . you might not.

Please stick around!
We will value your intelligence and especially a different take on things. There are some LA posters from what I can remember, but we're a fluid community here - people post when it interests them.

I was going to say we will value your brains, but given the trend of providing recipes for the Image of the Day, I don't want you to think we're zombies!

Seriously - respect for sticking up for something you are involved in that might not get respect elsewhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce You're bad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by axlrosen The festival's web site is equally cheezy. Click if you want to see how not to build a web site. (On the other hand, who knows? Maybe this is exactly the kind of web site that Louisianans would love?) http://www.shrimp-petrofest.org/ (turn on sound for full effect)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud don't fuss--we got a new member from it. Short-term, probably, tho. And no, I didn't notice. That means they have a new queen! And why shouldn't Louisianans celebrate what they can, especially after Katrina?

I mentioned Katrina, because the original post was shortly after.

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 Katrina did a lot of damage, but it's not like it has completely ruined Louisiana. It didn't exactly happen yesterday, so we have plenty to celebrate. Has anyone other than me been to any part of LA since the hurricanes??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scopulus Argentarius The festivals, primarily in the rural areas of South Louisiana, are an excuse for the hard working locals to get together and have some fun - usually poking fun at themselves and traditions and anything/everything. They're very family oriented.

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 Katrina did a lot of damage, but it's not like it has completely ruined Louisiana. It didn't exactly happen yesterday, so we have plenty to celebrate. Has anyone other than me been to any part of LA since the hurricanes??

well i'm sorry if i'm coming off like i'm always upset. i'm actually a very happy person. it's just like when you mention you're from LA people automatically want to talk about New Orleans....happened to me when I went to DC.

Miss/Mrs cellar 2008 seems to be cleared up though. The first place winner prematurely gave up the crown, so now that we have the real deal, I hope she will stay.

Miss bhf, when I mention my parents being effected by the hurricane people always mention New Orleans too...The eye hit them dead on in Mississippi.....

Pretty women on here like to talk about people liking them for their intelligence here, you will fit right in, but I am still not buying it. I've seen a lot of intelligent ugly women, and yea, they never seem to be that popular, and certainly don't get to wear the grand tiara. It doesn't even fit on their mis-shapen head when they temporarily go through the winners things, and try it on.......

lol! All the pretty women claim that life is not about appearances. Get ugly and dress down, maybe even like a hobo, and tell me what you think then.

I dressed like a hobo for a party designated for it, but went out in public before it, in full costume (totally convincing), and as I said hello to one of my friends that did not recognize me, they gave me the most terrible look I had ever seen on their face, and wouldn't even dignify my "hello" with a response.

so, miss b.f.e. isn't the "shrimping" and petroleum jelly queen? :

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cicero Miss/Mrs cellar 2008 seems to be cleared up though. The first place winner prematurely gave up the crown, so now that we have the real deal, I hope she will stay. Miss bhf, when I mention my parents being effected by the hurricane people always mention New Orleans too...The eye hit them dead on in Mississippi..... Pretty women on here like to talk about people liking them for their intelligence here, you will fit right in, but I am still not buying it. I've seen a lot of intelligent ugly women, and yea, they never seem to be that popular, and certainly don't get to wear the grand tiara. It doesn't even fit on their mis-shapen head when they temporarily go through the winners things, and try it on....... lol! All the pretty women claim that life is not about appearances. Get ugly and dress down, maybe even like a hobo, and tell me what you think then. I dressed like a hobo for a party designated for it, but went out in public before it, in full costume (totally convincing), and as I said hello to one of my friends that did not recognize me, they gave me the most terrible look I had ever seen on their face, and wouldn't even dignify my "hello" with a response.

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 I mean, if you were part of one of our festivals and you had a dumb person representing you, wouldn't you kinda be dumbfounded?

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 But it just happens that most girls who do win are beautiful and intelligent. We go around as visiting queens to other pageants. I mean, if you were part of one of our festivals and you had a dumb person representing you, wouldn't you kinda be dumbfounded?

Thank goodness they're not picked based on aroma....

Hey, missbhf, would you share a pic of your coronation with us, please?

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster Hey, missbhf, would you share a pic of your coronation with us, please?

Nice. I like how the little children are part of it. That one girl in pink couldn't beam any brighter if there were ten spotlights on her!

Every fibre of my being rebels against that photograph and everything that it represents. That said: you look gorgeous missbhf! I actually think that you looking down makes you look even more stunning because it gives you gravitas and an aura of something deeper than a glittering smile.

Lots of fun to dress up and be a positive part of the community. Thanks for sharing!

How come there are so many queens? Can't you just win and them, you know, not?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaC Every fibre of my being rebels against that photograph and everything that it represents. That said: you look gorgeous missbhf! I actually think that you looking down makes you look even more stunning because it gives you gravitas and an aura of something deeper than a glittering smile.

I can't speak for an entire culture, but I looooove to dress up, too. In costume at any rate.

You thought the Halloween scene in ET was fiction? Well, it is, but . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cicero How come there are so many queens? Can't you just win and them, you know, not?

Very cool crown, indeed. And I would be proud to be titled Miss Black Heritage Festival, little miss, teen miss, or whatever. Is it helpful on your resume or college apps?

Actually it does. They consider it to be good leadership skills. Also we do many community service activities (Relay for life, nursing home visits, etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 Actually it does. They consider it to be good leadership skills. Also we do many community service activities (Relay for life, nursing home visits, etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 Well they have different divisions for different age groups (ex. little miss:6-8 years, teen miss:14-16). It's to have more people to represent, I guess...

Is it just me, how did this thread turn from a shrimp deal to a black heritage thing? I smell troll. Hey pump me up.
Now jump on me.

Dolls, . . .

. . . not trolls, busterb (sorry that's not a legit rhyme).
It seems like a totally legit discussion and encouragement for a fine young woman.



Shawntaye Thomas, Miss Black Heritage Festival 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by missbhf08 Actually that's not me. It's the girl who crowned me.

ooh, look. the crown sparkles. that's cute. is that in our smileys?

missbhf07 isn't going to be working for Radar anytime soon.

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Originally Posted by Cloud ooh, look. the crown sparkles. that's cute. is that in our smileys?

Quote:

Originally Posted by HungLikeJesus missbhf07 isn't going to be working for Radar anytime soon.

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Originally Posted by Imigo Jones The words on the crown are backwards so, when you're sitting up there on top of the back seat of the royal convertible, drivers can see your motorcade coming up behind them and pull over.

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterb Is it just me, how did this thread turn from a shrimp deal to a black heritage thing? I smell troll. Hey pump me up. Now jump on me.

Buster's just jealous, 'cause he's from Mississippi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by busterb Is it just me, how did this thread turn from a shrimp deal to a black heritage thing? I smell troll. Hey pump me up. Now jump on me.

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Originally Posted by monster But this is so much more a way of life here. Not the pageants per se, but the dressing up. This was mine and beest's realization this weekend. Americans love to dress up in a way that Brits don't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce Buster's just jealous, 'cause he's from Mississippi.

should of had more cowbell...

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Originally Posted by Sundae Girl Quite right Buster. Thread drift is despicable and shouldn't be tolerated in IoTD. Shurely not? BTW sorry for your 2-0 defeat...

about ur finger?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brianna that is one popish crown ya gots on there.

Lincoln, the Vatican, and Fellini?

whoa. head rush!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloud Lincoln, the Vatican, and Fellini?