By Kimberly Hopson
L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Amid the disaster preparation on Friday, St. John the Baptist Parish administration took time out to reveal the colorful strokes of Edgard painter Jamar Pierre with the 40th anniversary Andouille Festival poster.
“We’ve spent a lot of time looking at what needs to be included in a poster representing andouille, the Andouille Festival and the Andouille Capital of the World, and we think what he’s done is capture that,” said Natalie Robottom.
Pierre has more than 20 years of professional visual arts experience with a portfolio encompassing corporate and private comissions, public murals, album covers, posters and product advertising. The artist said he wanted to feature iconic elements that make up the atmosphere of St. John Parish: agriculture, jazz music legends, the Domino Sugar Plant, Edgard’s St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, the Mississippi River, gumbo, and of course, meat smokers.
“Just tying it all together, I tried to bring every element of all the things we love and cherish about St. John Parish in this piece. Because my family smokes a lot of meat, we make our own andouille sausage, so I had to put the smokehouse,” he said.
Official prints will be available for purchase at the St. John Parish office, Greg’s Supermarket in Reserve, and Matherne’s. Regular prints are $20, signed prints are $75, and signed prints with limited edition numbering are $100. Torri Buckles, director of economic development for St. John Parish, said only 100 signed and numered posters are available.
Buckles also revealed interesting tidbits in store for those who attend the festival this year and said the festival organizers have paid close attention to detail this year to encourage everyone to participate and support.
Parish officials have re-introduced the Sunday’s Gospel Tent, which will feature several local ministries, choirs and praise teams. Buckles said more than 21 food vendors and 25 craft vendors will be available this year, an ideal situation for individuals looking to begin holiday shopping. The gumbo cook-off contest, which is open to 10 teams, will now feature on-site cooking to up the ante on competition. There is also the Andouille Run, Apron Art Contest and Sunday Jazz Brunch to look forward to.
2013 will ring in “The Dang ‘Douille,” the festival’s first andouille eating contest. Buckles said the contest is open to groups and individuals. The winner will receive a cash prize and the “Dang ‘Douille Trophy,” which Buckles could only describe as interesting. The deadline to enter for groups and individuals is Friday.
“So if you can eat andouille in a rather quick manner, we encourage you to apply,” said Buckles.
The 2013 Andouille Festival is scheduled for scheduled for Oct. 18-20, with the Miss and Teen Andouille pageant rescheduled for Oct. 12. The children’s pageant will be held on Oct. 20. Visit www.andouillefestival.com for more information.