Leonard Ray
March 30, 2007
Lady Tigers fall, but LSU baseball, softball teams have successful weekend
April 3, 2007
If you wanted to teach Tri-parish children how to be environmentally friendly, what would you do?
Release 100,001 ladybugs, of course.
At the 8th annual Ladybug Ball, set for April 21, that’s exactly what’s in store.
Sponsored by Re/MAX Good Earth Realty, Inc., the event is held at Southland Plantation House, 1208 Museum Dr., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Children and adults are invited to catch the ladybugs and take them home for release to help preserve grass and flowers.
Bug cages may be purchased at the ball, or you’re welcome to bring your own.
“Everyone knows that ladybugs eat insects that are on place and in the grass, which is a pesticide-free way to rid the plants in their community of bugs,” said Laura Goulas, Ladybug Ball founder.
That’s the message Goulas hopes to convey: Ladybugs are an all-natural, pesticide-free way to rid your yard of unwanted pests.
Ganier’s Garden Club is donating the 100,001 ladybugs. And Terminix is donated several hundred butterflies that will also be released. Take note, however; Goulas said the butterflies are not to be trapped.
A number of hands-on activities are also planned.
Children Discover Center will be on hand with its “Wild in the Wetlands” exhibit, for instance. And LaTerre Master Gardener’s will sponsor a butterfly display.
Group activities are free to the public, but there is a $1 fee for all individual events, such as the water guns, bean bag toss and pin the dot on the ladybug. There will also be scarlet scoop ice cream, ladybug prints, a country store, silent auction, face and nail painting and pictured with a ladybug.
At 10 a.m., judges will also pick the best-dressed “ladybug,” so wear your best attire.
Proceeds from the event benefit local organizations, such as Sister Rosario’s Kids Foundation and the MacDonnell Center in Houma.
“This is a ball about teaching our kids about the environment and other aspects of education. In the future, we look forward to including more sciences like marine biology, which will tie in to our main focus n our environment,” Goulas said.
In the event of bad weather the ball will take place on Sunday, April 22.
For more sponsorship or festival information, contact Linda Faulk at (985) 851-3999.
