The Louisiana Association of Fairs & Festivals awarded the distinction of "Best Poster" to the 2008 Louisiana Pecan Festival. 
Announced during the association's annual convention, the Pecan Festival's entry stood out among notable competition. The festival falls in division three, based on its attendance of 49,000 to 100,000 people. Submissions representing the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Lake Charles' Contraband Days, the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival and Crowley's International Rice Festival were also considered.
The win means quite a lot to Pecan Festival board member Nancy Paige,
"We're so excited to win in our 40th year. Everybody said it was the best poster we've had."
The festival, which grew out of Grant Parish's centennial celebration, commemorated its 40th year in 2008. Because of this, festival officials turned to local advertising agency KJA Communications Group to develop a special anniversary edition of the poster.
Historically, the festival's 'official' posters have been created mostly by local artists, showing scenes from the area and the festival itself. KJA's Creative Director David Crain felt this anniversary provided a good opportunity to shift the focus. "We really wanted to hone in on the multitude of goods produced from the pecan. Paying homage to the pecan felt like the perfect way to celebrate the Pecan Festival."
Well-known local artist Dr. Henry Blount was tapped to handle the original watercolor painting. Dr. Blount, a retired Methodist minister and long-time resident of Alexandria, currently offers watercolor classes at River Oaks Square Art Center.
The award-winning Pecan Festival poster is still available for purchase at the Grant Parish Library.
To learn more about the Louisiana Pecan Festival, visit
www.louisianapecanfestival.com.
The Louisiana Association of Fairs & Festivals is a nonprofit organization which helps promote the value and importance of community, parish, district and regional fairs, shows and festivals located across Louisiana