Recalling a year to cherish
By: HEATHER BOGARD
Lifestyles Editor
“I will forever cherish this past year. Cotton was my dream title and it bestowed me with the opportunity to not only travel and promote the Louisiana Cotton Festival in our state, but also in Washington D.C., and that was an incredible experience,” exclaims Queen Cotton LXI Karlee Farris. She marvels, “This year has been incredible and I have met so many amazing people through this journey of being the 61st Louisiana Cotton Festival Queen. I’ve been able to embrace the diversity of cultures in our state, try amazing foods, learn more about traditions, meet hard working farmers and those that work in different industries around the state, listened to some of the best music and made some incredible memories.”
Farris, who entered the pageant world while in high school, notes, “I have been blessed with the opportunity to represent various different festivals and organizations throughout my pageant years. You can’t really compare them, because with each title you learn, grow and have different wonderful experiences.” She recounts, “I got started in pageants my senior year of high school when my aunt convinced me to do a local pageant. My passion for community involvement, education and awareness grew from there. Pageants have allowed me to represent wonderful organizations and learn many skills to help educate and inform others as I represent them during my reign.”
Farris is daughter of Jill and Chad Farris of Lumberton, Texas, and granddaughter of Patti Farris and DC Farris of DeRidder, Sharon Harris of DeRidder and the late James Harris. She completed her undergraduate studies at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, with a concentration on arts and humanities, with a minor in communications. Her hobbies include volunteering in the community, crafting, traveling our wonderful state and spending quality time with her friends and family. She shares, “I plan to eventually return to school to get my masters. I hope to eventually get married and have my own beautiful family. I would like to be able to continue to thrive in my career.”
Being a reigning festival queen while in college can be quite challenging, and Farris admits, “For me being a queen is my favorite hobby. I love riding along Louisiana highways and byways encountering a new adventure every weekend. The state of Louisiana is very beautiful and from north to south very culturally diverse and it makes for good memories. I loved every second of meeting new friends across the state and experiencing all that Louisiana has to offer.”
Farris finished college during her reign and emphasizes, “Balancing everything has just become part of who I am.” She shares that another bonus of the “rhinestone sisterhood” is that “we never hesitate to help one another out. I recall one event where myself and another queen stayed up a little late after an event to help one another study.” Balancing my travel schedule and school was difficult, but as a reward for studying hard during the week, I would enjoy the weekend. I now work full time during the week, and come Friday, I usually have something planned and a destination to travel to.”
Recalling the night she was crowned, Farris, remembers, “When I stood on the stage last year at the pageant with eight beautiful ladies, who were all deserving of the crown, I stood on the stage with some of my closest friends from this year. I was so honored to be chosen to represent this wonderful festival and my dream title. It has been wonderful to see my friends that I competed with last year also find their dream titles and get to travel with them this year.” She adds, “All of the memories from this year are so special to me, from Cajun two stepping with my rhinestone sisters, the unforgettable slumber parties and endless laughs together, the hospitality of the communities that embraced me, to the competitions where I could try new things and let my competitive side shine.” She notes, “The ladies that represent the various festivals and commodities across the state are the real gems. They have made my year so incredible and they are each unique and as passionate about their fair or festival as I am about mine.”
Farris shares one special memory showcasing the “rhinestone sisterhood” bond formed by festival queens. “I did have one moment this year that really showed me how supportive my festival family is.” She recalls, “Right after my reign began, my grandfather, James Harris, passed away and I had an event to go to that weekend. The director of that festival was so great. She called to check in with me to see how I was doing and made sure I still got all of the special token gifts that we get as we travel.” She adds, “My rhinestone sisters were there for me and so was my director and family. I could not have asked for a better group of people to surround myself with.”
One of the greatest moments of being a queen, in Farris’ opinion, is being a role model and setting an example for others. “The sweetest moments,” she shares, “are when I see little girls admiring my crown and hear them say one day they hope to be like me.” Another big highlight of her reign, Farris says, “was representing the Louisiana Cotton Festival in Washington D.C. for the Mystick Krew of Louisiananians Mardi Gras Ball. I enjoyed representing our state and my festival on a national level.”
Many fun memories were made throughout her travels, and Farris recalls, “I learned to shuck oysters at the Seafood Festival, learned techniques of how to eat oysters in Amite and ate the best Sicilian food in the state and danced the night away at the Italian Ball.” She adds, “I’ve been crawfishing, sugar cane farming, cotton picking, educated about various traditions and farming techniques. I won second place in the satsuma eating contest at the Orange Festival and ate watermelon pie at the Watermelon Festival. I also watched pirates party and the mayor walk the plank at Contraband Days.” Through her travels, she says, “I’ve truly seen how beautiful the girls of Louisiana are as I’ve traveled to and attended countless pageants.” And she admits, “There have many too many phenomenal experiences to recall them all.”
Every queen knows it takes a village to get through her year of traveling the state to represent her title, and Farris admits, “There are so many people to thank. First, God for watching over me this year and blessing me with such an incredible opportunity. Ms. Kelli Buller and the Festival Board for all of their hard work to keep the Louisiana Cotton Festival thriving and hosting me as their queen. Ms. Robin Abshire and Kristen Rivere for believing in me and helping me prepare for last year’s pageant and being amazing mentors and friends. Thanks to my Glam2Geaux squad for helping me shine and feel confident at last year’s pageant.
“To my Rhinestone sisters,” Farris says, “Thank you for all of the incredible memories.
“To My family and friends, Farris continues, “You are all amazing and are my number one fans. Thanks for cheering me on in everything I do. Mom and Dad thank you for believing in me no matter what I choose to do! Jordan, my travel buddy and best friend, thanks for all the pictures and for tagging along to various events! To everyone who made this year so memorable, Thank you!”
Farris proclaims, “This title means the world to me. I love being able to represent such a historic commodity and wonderful organization, the Louisiana Cotton Festival Association. Festivals are the hidden treasures of Louisiana keeping traditions alive and celebrating the industries and commodities that have been valuable resources of income for many family’s and individuals in our state. I have really learned to appreciate all the hard work that goes into putting on a festival or event. I have such an appreciation for the volunteers and also the farmers and hard workers.”
To her successor, Farris, says, “I think in order to be a good queen, you have to have a passion for representing your organization. You have to be willing to travel and educate others about your festival.” She encourages Queen Cotton LXII to “Please embrace this title with the willingness to give it your all, to travel and represent as much as possible, promote tourism and help keep this special festival tradition alive!”
She adds, “As a little girl I dreamed of being a princess and never did I imagine that I would get the chance to be a queen and represent so many amazing organizations. I would say be sure to educate yourself, be dedicated and set a goal and go after it. If you get the honor of having a crown placed on your head, embrace it full force, travel as much as you can and always be willing to advocate for the organization you represent. Embrace all that Louisiana has to offer!”