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Plaquemines Parish is Louisiana's southernmost Parish where the great Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico. The Parish is a region of ecological wonder with its many waterways, fishing and hunting grounds, and the best Citrus in the Country.
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This year we are celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the
Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival held annually the first full weekend of December. The festival will be held at Historic Fort Jackson
in Buras, Louisiana, THE HOME OF THE ORANGE FESTIVAL.
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Free Admission
Free Parking
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CYCLE ORANGE 2011
Join us for the first-ever Cycle Orange Ride and Bike Rodeo at the 65th annual Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival. The ride/race takes place along 60 miles of scenic roads surrounded by the beautiful marshes and bayous of southern Louisiana. A great way to spend a weekend just south of New Orleans, and a perfect lead in to Plaquemines Parish's famous Orange Festival.
Prizes and giveaways include tricycles for the kids and an Orbea road bike for the avid rider!
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 2011
Registration & Check-in: 7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m @ HISTORIC FORT JACKSON
Depart: 8:30 a.m.
End: Fort Jackson
Ride Distance: Approx. 60 Miles (alternate 44 mile and 24 mile routes)
Registration Fee: $20.00
Register at:
www.plaqueminestourism.com/cycleorange
2011 RUN FOR THE ORANGES
Sponsored By:
Ochsner & Subway
5K Run & Fitness Walk on
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3RD, 2011
@ HISTORIC FORT JACKSON
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.
Run begins at 9:00 a.m.
$50.00 Cash to 1st Male & Female Runners
Starts & Finishes at Fort Jackson Entrance
Fast, Accurate Course
Commemarative "Run For The Oranges" Long Sleeve T-Shirt & Medallions to All Participants 12 & Under
Numerous Random Prizes
Entry Fee:
$12.00 Pre-registration/$14.00 Race Day
Team Entries:
(4 runners one must be female)
$40.00/team, pre-registration only and must be submitted together
For additional Race and Volunteer Information or a registration form please call 504.392.4898
The History of the Orange Festival
In 1947, the first “Plaquemines Parish Orange Festival” was formed to promote cultivation and marketing of Plaquemines’ citrus crop. A stunning freeze in 1951 nearly crushed the organization in its infancy. To preserve the good work that had been accomplished up to that time, the focus of the organization was enlarged to include all the bounty of the Parish. In 1955, the Orange Festival was renamed the “Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival.”
In the winters of 1962 and 1963, record-breaking freezes struck again. These freezes, accompanied by snow, were more devastating than the 1951 freeze and resulted in a complete destruction of the orange industry, which had produced three to four million dollars annually. The annual celebrations were canceled in 1962.
Despite the freezes, the orange growers courageously proceeded to replace dead trees with new groves. Through the combined efforts of citrus growers and government officials, rootstock was given to the growers who agreed to match the amount given to them. By 1965, the citrus industry was on the way to recovery and people were again talking about a Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival.
But, on September 9, 1965, just when a full recovery was imminent, Hurricane Betsy inflicted severe devastation upon the major citrus producing areas of the parish. The prosperity of the Parish was stunned and resumption of the Fair and Orange Festival was again postponed.
Another citrus replacement program was sponsored by the local government. However, before productions could reach commercial quantities, Hurricane Camille ravished the orange producing areas with a force greater than that of Betsy.
Camille destroyed the heart of the orange industry in the Parish and moved it to the west bank areas north of Empire and to the east bank. The groves in these areas were not as severely damaged and achieved commercial production after 1969. Again, with another citrus replacement program, the orange industry was encouraged to replant. The festivals have continued uninterrupted since then.
The renewed celebrations were received enthusiastically, both locally and from afar.
Freezes again crippled the industry in 1982, 1983, 1985 and 1989. But the Fair and Festival was not canceled. It has continued to focus on the bounty of Plaquemines Parish and its main attraction – the citrus industry.
With the great destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, organizers staged the event at the Medal of Honor Park in Belle Chasse. We were very excited to return home to Fort Jackson in 2010.
Please make plans to join us on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in Buras at Historic Fort Jackson. Be there as Plaquemines Parish moves one step closer to recovery.
The Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival has many of activities to offer the entire family. We invite you to take a trip to Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana and experience our wonderful food, entertainment, contests, crafts, novelties and hospitality.
Check out the General Information page to find out where to stay for festival weekend.
Plaquemines Parish Fair & Orange Festival
PO Box 158
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Phone:
Fax: |
504-398- 4434
504-392-5922 |
Email: orangefestival@hotmail.com
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"Blossom", "Man-Darin" and Plaquemines Parish Citrus
Important Information
Children's Revue Applications-Breck & Co Salon in Belle Chasse or Plaq. Medical Center in Port Sulphur.
Run for the Oranges Applications-Bubrig Insurance or Print-All in Belle Chasse or contact Bill at 504-392-4898
2010 Officers and Directors
President - Kim Turlich-Vaughan
Vice President - Wanda Buras
Secretary - Misti Simoneaux
Treasurer - Sarintha Strickland
Fair Manager - Ernie Kientz
Directors: Karen Leonard, Brigette Belair, Kathy Johnson, Paula Cappiello, and Bonnie Jo Thomas
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