EDGARD — St. John Parish Councilman Larry Snyder’s concerns about vendor selection and booths at the Andouille Festival recently sparked discussion on what appeared to be misunderstandings surrounding the approval process.

Parish Council members and local government leaders went over the process last week during the St. John the Baptist Parish Council meeting in Edgard.

Director of Economic Development Jerry Jones said vendors were accepted on a first-come basis, and all applicants had until July 31 to submit their application.

He said the applicants were put on a schedule in the order in which they were received. Jones said the only way a late applicant can become part of the popular festival is if someone previously approved pulls out.

However, confusion arose when it was explained that in the past vendors from the previous year were given priority for the following year. That policy appears to have changed.

“I’m not sure that message (regarding the change) got out,” Snyder said.

Councilwoman Jaclyn Hotard said clarity is needed.

“It does not seem like it was handled that way in the past,” Hotard said.

Jones said the only preference now given is to local vendors because the festival is a “local event, and we want to keep the heritage.”

Councilwoman Raj Pannu said a committee must also go through all of the applications to make sure no two vendors are serving the same food, regardless of what they might have served the previous year.

Parish President Natalie Robottom said booths are staffed by members of non-profit agencies, who receive a set fee. The parish receives the remainder of what was collected.

Council members also asked about the possibility of rotating non-profit agencies working the food booths.

“A lot (of those agencies) would like to get a part of that,” Snyder said. “Some are not getting anything.”

— By Richard Meek