Annual SJA fair open for all
Published 12:04 am Wednesday, April 25, 2018
- The SJA Advanced Band is shown performing at at the 2017 St. Joan of Arc Fair. Timothy McGruder (seated from left), Alex Louque, and Evan Stevens play trombone as Charlize Rousseve-Kirklon (standing) plays percussion.
LAPLACE — Since the early 1960s, the St. Joan of Arc Fair has been a beloved community tradition that unites St. John the Baptist Parish while raising money for school and church improvements, according to SJA Development Director Mona Roussel.
The 2018 St. Joan of Arc Fair goes under the big top from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Roussel said the Fair collects an average of $50,000, adding this year’s proceeds would fund school arts programs and classroom technology. Students have helped the effort by donating bags of lemons and two-liter drinks and compiling themed baskets for raffle giveaways, Roussel said.
Committee member Rickey Klibert said each SJA Fair requires more than a year’s worth of planning. Though time consuming, Klibert said it’s a rewarding experience that helps provide a spiritual platform for current and future church members.
The fun kicks off with a 6 p.m. Friday performance from SJA cheerleaders and band members, followed by a 7 p.m. show from the Peyton Falgoust Band.
Registration for the annual fun run opens at 8:30 a.m. Saturday for the 1-mile run and at 9 a.m. for the 5K run. The entry fee is $15 per person with a T-shirt included or $8 without a T-shirt.
Fallen St. John Parish firefighter Spencer Chauvin’s children Jude and Jade, his wife Jennifer, his sister and nephew Brittany and Bentley Borne and his mother Donna participate in the 2017 Fun Run.
St. Joan of Arc students gain entry for $5 without receiving a T-shirt.
Dedicated in honor of SJA alumnus Evan Simoneaux one year after his death, the race begins and ends at Family Life Center on the fairgrounds and winds through Riverlands Estate.
Saturday’s entertainment lineup includes the Reptile Krewe from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a presentation from SJSO Dare from 2 to 4 p.m., a performing arts dance at 3:30 p.m. and Six String Justice at 6 p.m.
“Celebrity” chefs Lucien Gauff III, St. John the Baptist Parish Assessor, and Division B Councilwoman-at-large Jaclyn Hotard will cook mouth-watering shrimp étouffée and shrimp and Andouille egg rolls at noon and 6 p.m., respectively.
Guests can purchase food prepared for the annual cook-off after 4 p.m.
Sheriff Mike Tregre will prepare Cajun spaghetti with bread pudding Sunday at 5 p.m. Baked chicken and dirty rice will be available to attendees beginning at noon.
Sunday’s lineup features a performance from Aimee’s Dance Academy and a $10 per entry horseshoe tournament at 1 p.m. Local band MoJEAUX performs at 5 p.m.
Chances for a $10,000 drawdown raffle are on sale for a $100 donation in the St. Joan of Arc Church Office. Weekend-long fair ride bracelets are available onsite for $75.
