By DAVID VITRANO

News Editor

LAPLACE—Everyone in the area already knows the tremendous economic and kinship-building benefits the Andouille Festival has on the local community. But many do not realize that the festival also serves to promote this little corner of the globe to the world at-large.

True, the Andouille Festival is not yet an international attraction, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t bring any international visitors. Especially with the festival’s expanded grounds this year, workers, many of them from abroad, have flocked to Highway 51 bringing their rides, games and treats to festivalgoers.

One such group of international explorers is Tessa Crafford, Bianke Allan and Samantha Douberr of South Africa.

Not what one thinks of as a typical “carny,” these three young ladies have spent the past seven months traveling between cities in Louisiana and Missouri with their game “Machine Gun.”

While some may not think of this as a job for a young lady, according to Douberr, they like the life of a carny. “Every day is a new day. Every day you learn something new,” she said.

But traveling and meeting new people is only part of the equation.

According to the trio, they also enjoy getting to know regular customers who come to their station throughout any given festival. Plus, a sense of camaraderie has developed among the carnies, many of them traveling together to their next destination.

So, this weekend as you step up to the brightly colored lights and get ready to knock over that stack of milk bottles, stop and think for a second about the person who handed you those baseballs. Their life just might be a bit more exciting than you imagine.