Exhibits show artsy side of festival

The artsy side of the Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival and Fair was on display Friday and Saturday at the Cyr-Gates Community Center.

The community center was the site of the Art, Photography and Flower shows, as well as the Sugar Artistry Exhibit.

A floral display greeted guests as they entered the building.

"We put up an entry display this year so that when people came in, it would kind of draw their eye to it," said Millie Comeaux, president of the Azalea Garden Club. "There's so much going on in here."

Flowers of all colors lined tables at the Flower Show, sponsored by the garden club. The show also included a design division and educational exhibits so guests could learn about native plants.

Garden club member Roxy Blanton won first place for her zinnias, which also made for award-winning subjects in the floral division of the Photography Show.

An educator of 38 years, Blanton said she recently took up photography as a hobby.

"I'm thinking about retiring, so I needed to develop some new interests," she said. "This is my first time to enter, so I'm excited."

Photography Show chairwoman Faith Brasseaux said she was pleased with the turnout for the show, which featured its most entries in several years.

"The computer-enhanced division has definitely grown," she said. "Last year we had six. This year, we have two walls."

There were more than 300 entries from artists of all ages in the art show.

Local craftsmen were also on hand selling some of their wares.

"The show has been excellent," said show chairwoman Darnelle Delcambre. "The quality of artwork has definitely improved over the last several years."

Not to be outdone was the Sugar Artistry Exhibit, which featured cakes designed as a billiard table, a ladybug, a pig, a flying fish and a tractor.

All of the cakes were designed by members of Sweet Friends of the Teche, said cake club president Virginia Latiolais.

"The Sugar Cane Festival is all about sugar, so we just decided to put in everything that's made of sugar," she said.