Community event celebrates what’s unique about Lafourche Parish

A community center often acts as the beating heart of a small town. From shooting hoops to saying, “I do,” the flexible functionality of the Vacherie-Gheens Community Center is a perfect example of how one building can bring a populace together.

“This center is a vital part of the area,” said Susan Falgout, community center board member.

Amongst the weddings, pageants and science fairs, this multipurpose structure and the surrounding grounds also serve as the location for the annual Gheens Bon Mangé Festival, which is set to take place from June 4-6 of this year.

Originally called the Gheens Day Festival, this family-friendly event was started in the 1970s by several members of local clubs, who saw the need for a communal gathering place in the area.

With donated land from Nolan Falgout and a few years of dedication and hard work, the dream of a community center materialized.

Today, the festival still acts as the lifeblood of the center with 100 percent of the proceeds used to upkeep the facility, according to Susan Falgout.

“We do receive funds from recreation and other functions, but the festival is our main fundraiser,” she explained.

“Bon mangé” translates from French into “good eats”, so it is no surprise that the menu for this function is quite extensive and appetizing.

“The food is so great we had to change the name of the festival,” exclaimed Ms. Gheens Bon Mangé Queen V, Hollie LeBoeuf. “They serve lots of good Cajun food, white beans and red beans, meatballs and spaghetti, seafood gumbo, hamburgers, jambalaya, rice dressing, lots of sweets and plenty more.”

Food alone does not a fair make and the Gheens Bon Mangé Festival is more than just copious amounts of delicious delectables. The event has grown immensely over the years and what started as a single-day food festival now spans across three fun-filled days.

The festivities commence on Friday, June 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. Gates re-open from 11 a.m. till on Saturday and again from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Carnival rides, games, auctions and various children’s activities are just some enticing features of the fest.

Musical acts include T-Time DJ, 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and Wayne Foret, noon to 4 p.m., Gary T., 4 to 8 p.m., and The Grove, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. Treater takes the stage from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Scheduled for Saturday, the Car, Truck and Bike Show, is returning for another year. Prizes for this event will be awarded in 11 categories including Best of Show, Best Antique and Best Car, Truck and Bike.

“This is our 2nd car show,” said Nolan Falgout. “We did one last year and it was very successful, so we are doing it again this year.”

A special presentation of the royal court will occur later that day, along with plenty of dancing and merriment, according to LeBoeuf.

“The Bon Mangé Royalty is presented on Saturday evening at 6 p.m.,” explained the Ms. Queen. “They announce the King and then auction off the Miss, Ms., Teen & Jr. queens for a dance.”

This year’s reigning queens are Miss Bon Mangé Queen XXII, Melissa Berthelot; Teen Miss Gheens Bon Mangé Queen XXII, Alexis Lachney; Ms. Gheens Bon Mangé Queen V, Hollie LeBoeuf and Jr. Miss Gheens Bon Mangé, Gabrielle Marcel.

An anticipated 50 to 60 queens from all across the state of Louisiana are also expected to attend.

In lieu of the customary jambalaya-eating contest, the visiting queens are invited to partake in a blindfolded, food tasting challenge on Sunday.

Also on the agenda for the last day of the event is the Miss “Womanless” Gheens Bon Mangé Pageant.

“The pageant is where guys, 16 and up, compete for the title while dressed in their girlfriend’s, mom’s, wife’s, etc. dresses and shoes,” said LeBoeuf. “They are all done up in make-up and wigs. It is definitely a site to see!”

With so many different events combined into one celebration, the Gheens Bon Mangé Festival is a perfect place for those looking for good cooking, good fun and some small-town, Cajun community spirit.

“We have awesome food and great music,” said Falgout. “It’s a lot of people and a lot of socializing. It’s all very nice.”

There is no entrance fee for this festival. For more information, contact Susan Falgout at (985) 532-5960.