Chamber plans first responder appreciation breakfast Nov. 17
By PAUL KEDINGER
Managing Editor
In a far-ranging session, directors of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Oct. 7, discussed plans for an appreciation breakfast for Rayne first responders, police, firemen and sheriff’s deputies, along with outlining plans for the 2016 Frog Festival and 2016 Rayne Grand Court Mardi Gras Ball.
Keith Wells and Sandra Credeur reviewed plans to recognize local emergency first responders. On Tuesday, Nov. 17, between 6 and 10 a.m., Rayne first responders and sheriff’s deputies will be invited to enjoy a free breakfast at the Rayne Frog City Travel Plaza, courtesy of the Chamber and its cooperating sponsors.
Jeremy Lavergne reviewed the budget for the 2016 Frog Festival and announced several new elements. He announced the Rayne Beautification Board arts and craft show will be moving from the Civic Center to the festival fairgrounds.
Lavergne also touched on plans for a frog eating contest, an accordion contest, a blood drive during the festival, and the return of a festival poster contest.
Jessica Houston reported the January 16 Mardi Gras Ball will have a “Vegas Nights” theme. Sam Babineaux and Nikki Link will serve as king and queen.
She announced that City Heat will perform during the Ball. The board also approved the added expense of hiring the band’s horn ensemble for the evening.
Houston emphasized the Ball is open to the public with tickets at $50 per person.
The board of directors approved the budgets for both the Frog Festival and Mardi Gras Ball.
Director Nikki Link reviewed plans for the
Feb. 18-21 Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festival (LAFF) to be held in Baton Rouge. She noted that Frog Festival Queen Carly Chaumont will be competing for the LAFF Queen of Queens crown. Several directors confirmed their plans to attend the convention.
The board also read reports from Brian Mouton on the Rayne Mardi Gras Parade and Ed Palmer regarding efforts to designate Rayne as a OST city during the national centennial observance of the Old Spanish Trail.
Executive Director Fran Bihm listed her activities for the past month, and announced membership now stands at 116.
In connection with plans to install new flooring in the Chamber office, she reported three bids will be secured, a grant application will be made and the work will be done in January or February.
The rental of the Chamber’s ticket booth was also discussed. The board approved a $50 daily rental fee with a $200 deposit for profit organizations and a $25 fee and $200 deposit required for nonprofit groups. The deposit will be returned if the booth is cleaned and undamaged.
The board granted permission to the Louisiana Office of Tourism and the Louisiana Festival and Events to use images from the Frog Festival for a tourism guide and calendar, respectively.
It was announced the Best Western Rayne Inn will host Business After Hours on Thursday, Oct. 29 between 6 and 8 p.m., during which Gautreaux’s Donut Kitchen will be honored as the Chamber’s Business of the Quarter.
President Jimmy Prevost and Nikki Link were named to serve as representatives of the Rayne Chamber on the OneAcadia economic development committee.