By ASHLEY WILKING

Staff Reporter

LUTCHER – Despite the blast of arctic chill that set in on south Louisiana, and the LHSAA Championship football game, Festival of the Bonfires 2006 was a complete success.

Though everything started off slowly, due to the absence of almost the entire population of the town of Lutcher gone to watch their team in the state championship game, things began to heat up as the bonfires burned, and the crowds started pouring in. Due to the odds against it, the festival allowed the bands to continue playing, and kept the festival open later, to give residents the chance to attend the festival after the big game.

Throughout the weekend people had a chance to enjoy live entertainment, craft booths, rides, and most of all the food. Many came to enjoy the spicy Cajun cuisine, but many more came to compete with their own Louisiana cooking in the annual Gumbo Cook-off, Potato Salad Showdown, and Bread Pudding Bake-off.

Children of all ages attended Saturday mornings breakfast with Santa, hoping to get in a few last minutes Christmas wishes. Following with a book signing featuring Terri Hoover Dunham. The day also included the &#8220Cheer for a Cure”, a fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis, Dance Team performances, Karate Demonstrations and a Children’s Pageant.

With the conclusion of the festival, residents now look forward to the final stages of the lighting of the bonfires. Where the miles of timber lining the levee, will light the path for Papa Noel, down the mighty Mississippi on Christmas Eve.

Winners of Friday night’s events: Best of the Festival Gumbo Cook-off

Seafood: 1st Barrett Jenkins

2nd Jeff Bourque

3rd Mickey Lamoine

Chicken 1st Craig Perque

2nd Mark Holder

3rd Jeff McClung

Melange- &#8220Mixture of any thing Gumbo”

1st Evette Granier

2nd Matt Shaheen

Matt Le Blanc

Tim Morgan

3rd Patrick Rome

Mike Mc Creary

BEST OVER ALL GUMBO: Barrett Jenkins

YOUTH DIVISION GUMBO:

1st Jackson Roussel

Joey Mc Creary

2nd Dennis Accardo

Ross Nadile

3rd Jarred Louviere

Justin La Bauve

POTATO SALAD SHOWDOWN:

1st Craig Perque and the Tezcuco Ladies

2nd Craig Perque and the Tezcuzo Ladies

3rd Kent Oubre

BREAD PUDDING SHOWDOWN:

1st Craig Preque and the Tezcuco Ladies

2nd Todd Duhe

3rd Dolly St Pierre