Photo, flowers start Sugar

The annual Louisiana Sugar Cane Association's Sugar Cane Festival brought together fragrant flowers, beautiful photographs and stunning works of art all under one roof Friday.

The festival's Flower Show, Photography Show and the L'Acadian Art Guild Competition at the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival all kicked off Friday at the Cyr-Gates Community Center in City Park.

Several people came out to the center to take in the shows and marvel at the works of the contestants.

Pegge Villermin said her family enjoys the shows. "I brought my children. They enjoy seeing the flowers and the photography."

The art show this year was especially dedicated to a photographer that passed away on Sept. 10 after a three year battle with breast cancer.

A small table covered in purple and bearing an angel figurine held a photograph of Angelle Delcambre Broussard, daughter of Raymond Delcambre and Darnelle Delcambre, president of the Art Guild.

Behind her photograph was a wall of her pictures, ranging from magazine covers to prints that hung in the governor's mansion.

"She was a photographer and belonged to the art guild. The club decided to dedicate the show to her this year," Delcambre said.

"It's really an honor," she said, wiping away tears. "She was a beautiful person. I think she was just able to capture the beauty of nature through God's eyes."

The theme of the flower show, sponsored by the Azalea Garden Club, was "Gardens of the Season."

The show included a number of entries, including everything from fig plants to caladiums to cactuses. Educational exhibits also provided interesting information to patrons on day lillies and pansies.

Just behind the flower show, several tall partitions displayed the work of numerous local photographers from adults to juniors in many categories.

The photos ranged from black and white and full color photos of models, animals, trucks and even an expectant mother's stomach cradled by several hands.

Another category featured photos from the sugar cane industry, such as the trailers used to haul the harvested cane.

The shows continued throughout the day Saturday at the center.