By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Tonight, 11 young ladies will compete for the title of Miss Andouille Queen 2011. They are the latest in a long line of contestants competing for the title, which was first won by Bernice Monica Foret in 1974.

Since that initial pageant, held in the auditorium at St. Joan of Arc School, the pageant called many locales home until it took up residence at St. John Theatre in 1981.

Three decades later, the pageant is still thriving, and tonight a new queen, who will represent St. John the Baptist Parish at various functions throughout the year, including this year’s Andouille Festival on Oct. 14-16, will be crowned.

This year’s Miss contestants include Chelsey Stein, Courtney Keller, Danaye Brignac, Julie Polk, Katie Harrington, Kerri Durio-Todd, Leila Boudreaux, Markie Grajwoski, Sarah Klibert, Victoria Bourgeois and Whitney Weber.

Additionally, eight girls will vie for the title of Teen Andouille Queen. This year’s contestants include Heather Roussel, Jaiden Daniels, Kassidy Duhe, Kristen Trichell, Meredith Keating, Paige Ocmond, Raja-Ne’ Morris and Sage Brady.

Of course, last year’s winners, Miss Andouille Queen 2010 Ron’eeka Hill and Teen Andouille Queen Shelby Clement, will also be on hand to relinquish their crowns and wish the new queen luck as they embark on their year-long journey.

Entertainment this year will center on the pageant’s 30-year home, which began its existence as a movie theater.

“We wanted to make it unique and entertaining. Our theater is known for its history and entertainment, and we thought it would be exciting to showcase some of the featured music, scenes and movies. It will be a time to bring back all the laughs and special moments that many

of us have shared there,” said

Dana Milioto, Andouille Pageant director.

Musical numbers from “Meet Me in St. Louis,” “Jekyll and Hyde,” “South Pacific,” “Grease” and “Guys and Dolls” will be among the evening’s entertainment offerings.

Also, St. John Parish is asking guests to bring a canned good to the pageant to help restock the pantries at the St. John Ministry of Care for the upcoming holiday season.

The pageant starts at 7 p.m.

There will be a reception following the pageant at the New Bull’s Corner, 1036 W. Airline Highway, LaPlace.