Jambalaya Festival’s Gracie Guillot crowned Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals queen

The Jambalaya Festival’s reigning queen, Gracie Guillot, has been crowned the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals queen, a spokesperson for the festival association announced in a news release.

The Jambalaya Festival, held annually over Memorial Day weekend in Gonzales, is one of the premier events in Louisiana. As the spokesperson reported in the release, the prestigious honor recognized Guillot’s dedication and served as a testament to the diligence and work done by the festival committee and its many volunteers.

Notably, the storied festival enters a new era this year as it moves to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, the sprawling Ascension Parish venue located off Hwy. 30 near Interstate 10 in Gonzales.

The move away from the traditional Irma Blvd. area around city hall reflected the festival’s growth and increased significance in the community, per the release. The tradition has drawn visitors from throughout the state and beyond to experience the culture, food and heritage of the area.

Guillot expressed excitement and gratitude after she received the once-in-a-lifetime honor.

“I’m still trying to find the right words to explain what I’m feeling,” she said in the release. “Being crowned the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals Queen is a pivotal moment in any festival queen’s journey – a title that many dream of and prepare for, for years. As this was my first LAFF Convention, I went in just hoping to represent the Gonzales Jambalaya Festival to the best of my ability and let the Lord do the rest. I wanted to put our festival and Ascension Parish back on the festival map and make my association proud. Making Top 10 was an honor I dreamt of for many years, but being crowned LAFF queen is the biggest honor of my life.”

She added that she is looking forward to representing all of the state’s fairs and festivals, promoting Louisiana industries, cuisine, music and culture.

“My life has been changed in the blink of an eye, and I can only thank God for trusting me with this role,” she said in the release. “I have to thank my family and friends, my rhinestone sisters, and my JFA members for believing in me and supporting me every step of the way. I’m ready to get to work and make the LAFF board and the State of Louisiana proud.”

For more information on the Jambalaya Festival, see the new website at jambalayafestival.net and follow JFA on social media.