Meet Blair Nicole Jones, the 72nd Plaquemines Parish Orange Fair Queen, crowned last night (Sept. 8) in Belle Chase. I was one of three judges, along with @stephanieoswaldwgno and Melissa Blake, an attorney and past festival queen. It was a daylong event with interviews with the contestants, then a visit with Ben Becnel at his faculty and among one of his citrus groves. (Did you know the first citrus was brought to the area by the Jesuits in 1727 and that Plaquemines is "persimmon" in French and Mobile Indian.) Then a visit to Woodland Plantation (you know it from the Southern Comfort label) with a tasty cocktail and snacks. Then it was time for the pageant--which I can safely say choosing the queen was super hard and extremely stressful. Melissa said it was more stressful for her to judge than when she participated. The women were evaluated (and am condensing this from interview and pageant) for their knowledge of the parish history, of its citrus, beauty and poise. It will be a busy year for Queen Blair, who will travel the state attending other festivals representing the festival and the parish. Thanks you so much judge coordinator Paula Cappiello for asking me to participate and to the festival committee for their hospitality! I will be back for the festival Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, if not sooner to try the food at Salvos, which came highly recommended by everyone! #makingorangehistory #plaqueminesparish #orange #orange🍊 #orangefestival #pageant (at Belle Chasse Auditorium) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnhexJMncBh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kk22jk7fqqck
