The Tamale Fiesta Poster Committee unveiled their 2021 Commemorative Poster on Thursday September 16, 2021at the festival grounds events building. Attendees included 2021 Fiesta Royalty, Queen- Canada Sepulvado, King Donald Remedies, Baby Miss-Nevach DeLoach, Tiny Miss- Hudsyn Ellis,Toddler Miss- Amelia Speede, Petite Miss- Bree Martinez, Little Miss- Ansley Byles, Deb Miss-Blakli Brister. Junior Miss- Carsyn Garcie, Teen Miss- Chloe Carter, Royal Pages- Brentley Ezernack, Wesley Remedies
We were also joined by Visiting Queens, local dignitaries, and friends of the Fiesta. Serving as Mistress of Ceremonies was Amy Petriello, who was introduced by her father, Chris Loupe, President of the Fiesta Association.
Poster artist, Kathryn Woodruff shared her incites into creating the poster and her interest in being an artist for the Fiesta. She expressed the desire to capture the spirit of the festivities and some of the events that take place during the fiesta weekend in the poster. She wanted it to reflect modern fiesta and how we celebrate customs and culture of our community.
Anticipation was growing to reveal the Sponsors for the 2021 Poster. Mistress of Ceremonies, Amy, asked the sponsors to come into the building. It was at moment, the attendees and Chris and Becky Loupe saw Amy’s family, Dustin, husband, Leo, Alyssa, and Isabella, children. Additionally, joining them were, Jeremy and Erica, daughters, Alexa and Taylor. Daniel and Erin with children, Caleb, Emery, Sydney, Tegan, Abigail. Adam and Meredith with daughters Blair and Millie, join them in the building and to tell their parents that they were the poster sponsors.
The following moments were filled with smiles, and excitement as they enjoyed the evening’s surprise reunion of the Loupe family Each of their daughters expressed their purpose for dedication the poster in memory of their grandparents, Rogers and Ruth Loupe and dedication to their parents Chris and Becky Loupe for the love and example they gave them in life. It was a moment to cherish by all, but especially for these ladies and their families.
Next, Chris and Becky Joined their daughters onstage to offer their thoughts and feelings on this occasion. They spoke of the legacy the elder Loupes have left and how honored they are to carry on the events that were so much the heart of the Loupe Family.
The posters were unveiled by members of the Fiesta Royal Court for the crowd to admire. The crowd was a “buzz” as artist Kathryn Woodruff returned to the stage to describe the elements of the poster. During a brief break for refreshments, members of the audience were able to take a closer look at the poster design.
The George Rodriques Blue dog poster an authentic artwork featuring Drew Brees. It was won by Ann Remedies based on the 52-card raffle. Door prizes included a gift basket with Tamale Fiesta Souvenirs won by Amy Barnhill and a framed 2021 Fiesta Poster won by Hunter Rivers.
Cindy Ezernack, Chairman of the Souvenir Committee showed the crowd the 2021 T-Shirts in orange for shortsleeved and gray for long sleeved. She stated that shirts would go on sale on September 25 at select locations. The shirts included a replica of this year’s poster framed by fourteen posters created by students of Mrs. Mia Curtis’s Spanish classes. Each poster was displayed in the event center enabling the crowd to view the work of these talented students. Each student received special recognition for their work by being presented a certificate by LA State Representative, Rodney Shamerhorn. Students honored for their work include K’Leigh Collins, Jaeger Ebarb, Halaysia Etheridge, K’asia Williams, Madelyn Montgomery, Lexi Ezernack, Brooklyn Lambert, JD Etheridge, Jenna Elkins, Karley Martinez, Lexie Hillman, Millie Tanner, Kayla Moore, and Kirsten Sepulvado. The poster committee hopes that one day one of these students can serve as the artist of our poster.
Don Burkett, served as the auctioneer for the event, encouraging buyers to bid on the outstanding posters. The Tamale Fiesta Committee would like to thank Jeremy and Erica and daughters Alexa and Taylor for their bids and purchase of the original oil painting of the poster. Foy Motors represented by Robert Hable placed the winning bid for the Number 1. Poster. We greatly appreciate his support of the Tamale Fiesta and congratulate him on his purchase. Anniversary poster bid was awarded to Daniel and Erin Talley and children, Caleb Talley, Emery Tindall, Sydney Tindall, Tegan Talley, and Abigail Talley. We would like to thank the Harding, Talley, Petriello, and Founds families for sponsoring the poster this year in memory of their grandparents Rogers and Ruth Loupe and in honor of their parents Chris and Becky Loupe. poster.
We would like to thank everyone in attendance who continue to support the festival. Last, but not least, a big thank you goes out to Kathryn Woodruff for creating our poster this year.