Flag raising means fair just weeks away

Published 9:00 am Friday, October 2, 2015

Thursday’s flag raising in front of Bogalusa City Hall signaled the start of preparations for the popular Washington Parish Free Fair.

The fair is scheduled for Oct. 21-24 at the Fairgrounds in Franklinton.

Various fair, city and parish dignitaries attended the annual flag raising. Members of Bogalusa High School’s Jr. ROTC team raised the fair flag.

“We anticipate another great year at the fairgrounds,” Bogalusa Mayor Wendy Perrette said to the crowd.

Fair membership chairman Mike Breland introduced other representatives from the fair, including president Dianne Applewhite, secretary Kaye Ladner, building and grounds chairman Aubrey Posey, commercial exhibit chairman Randy Strickland, hospitality chairman Mike Henley and publicity chairman Jennifer Fleming.

Other board members and fair officials included Linda Latino, Helen Hart, Margaret Ryal, Alexis Pigott, Kaye McCain, Luella Jackson, Bo Pierce, Ruth Harry, Beryl Schilling and Francis Pierce. Bogalusa’s award-winning 40 & 8 Color Guard presented the colors.

Ladner told the audience the significance of the flag’s various colors.

“Green signifies the abundance of forest in Washington Parish. The gold represents the fall of the year,” Ladner said. “Red represents the dedication of all the volunteers, and white represents the wholesome family atmosphere of the fair.”

There is a logo of a picnic basket in the middle of the flag.

“This is the fair, with the picnic spirit,” Ladner said.

Elected officials at the event also included Washington Parish President Richard Thomas, Bogalusa City Council members Teddy Drummond, Malinda White, Gloria Kates and Sherry Fortenberry, Bogalusa School Board member Eleanor Duke, Marshal John Sumrall, Police Chief Joe Culpepper, Fire Chief Richard Moody, Clerk of Court Johnny Crain Jr., Assessor Jimbo Stevenson and Washington Parish Assistant Chief Mike Haley, who represented Sheriff Randy Seal while he attended funeral services for his mother-in-law. Summer Sammons represented State Rep. Harold Ritchie’s office.

The program also included the Bogalusa High School band, Paper Dolls and cheerleaders, and cheerleaders from Northshore Charter School.