Reigning memories

By: TONY MARKS
Associate Editor

Alison Blood has competed in festivals ever since her infancy. Two decades later she was named Smoked Meat Festival Queen and hopes to return for the title of Ms. Queen.
“I’ve won dozens of titles over the years but none can compare to my reign as Miss Smoked Meat,” she said. “This is the only contracted title I’ve had and I’m so thankful for the experience. Being crowned Miss Smoked Meat has given me so many amazing memories with my rhinestone sisters. It’s given me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and experience festivals in a completely different way than I have before.”
“As Miss Smoked Meat I was given the opportunity to travel the state and attend Queen of Queens where I experienced the thrill of getting hypnotized, which was always a dream of mine,’
she added. “I’ve also met some of the most amazing girls that I look forward to seeing again in the near future.”
Blood is the 21-year-old daugther of Marsha and James Blood and granddaughter of Sheila Hackett, Daniel Thompson and Tim Blood, and Jean Guillory. She graduated from Pine Prairie High School where she participated in Theatre, Art, Science, Beta, and FBLA clubs, and she graduated college from LSU-A.
Her time as Smoked Meat Queen holds a place that is near and dear to her heart because of the many opportunities that the crown presented. “I’ve attended so many events during my reign that I can’t name them all,” she said. “The most memorable would have to be the lip sync at the Lecompte Pie Festival, dancing the night away at the Pecan Ball, testing every booth’s cracklins at the Cracklin Festival, winning third place at the Turkey Creek Christmas Parade, partying like a pirate at Queen of Queens, and watching one of my best friends crown another best friend of mine at the Boggy Bayou Festival.”
“The most memorable though is the Veterans Day Parade in Mamou where I represented the Smoked Meat Festival while honoring our veterans,” she added. “That day someone very special to me also walked into my life.”
She also learned some lessons that will lead her on in life as she prepares to go back to college and to start a family. “I’ve learned to try new things and to not be shy,” she stated. “I’ve met so many people around the state who know about Ville Platte and the Smoked Meat Festival and many who don’t. To those who didn’t, I always gave a brief summary of what our town and festival, as the Smoked Meat Capital of World, has to offer. I’ve also learned that putting the festival and pageant together takes a lot more time and effort than anyone can imagine.”
Blood extended gratitude to the people who have walked with her along the way and gave a word of advice to future queens of the Louisiana Smoked Meat Festival. “Throughout my reign, so many people have been there to support and encourage me,” she said. “I want to thank my family, especially my mom, dad, nanny, meme, and m’em. They’ve helped me so much this past year. I also want to thank my cousin Jamie. He took the time to like every picture I ever posted on Facebook while I traveled. His support showed, and I appreciate that. I want to thank all of my rhinestone sisters for giving me a lifetime of memories in just a short year. I want to thank my directors for everything they’ve done for me. They have supported me from the second I was crowned and still do until this day. I want to thank my best friends Lynée and Shelbi for everything. Without them I never would have competed, won, and gotten to experience this past year. I owe them so much! Last but not least, I want to thank God for all of the opportunities and blessings he has given me.”
“My advice to my successor: travel,” she added. “Take a lot of pictures. Make enough memories to last a lifetime. If you have the opportunity to participate in an event, do it, because if you don’t you’ll regret it later, I promise. Enjoy your time with your rhinestone sisters because the time flies by fast! Keep in touch with your sister queens and also your directors! You have some of the best directors around! Don’t forget to make time for them!”