SLS 25RS-53 ORIGINAL
2025 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 5
BY SENATOR WHEAT
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH. Designates Wednesday, April 16, 2025, as Ponchatoula
Strawberry Festival Day at the state capitol.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To designate Wednesday, April 16, 2025, as Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Day at the
3 state capitol.
4 WHEREAS, the Louisiana strawberry is the official state fruit of Louisiana; and
5 WHEREAS, strawberries comprise about $7,800,000 in total gross farm value in
6 Tangipahoa Parish and over $11,600,000 statewide; and
7 WHEREAS, the fifty-third annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival will be held April
8 11-13, 2025, at Memorial Park in historic and beautiful Ponchatoula; and
9 WHEREAS, organized in 1971, the first Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival was held
10 in April of 1972, co-sponsored by the Ponchatoula Jaycees and the Ponchatoula Chamber
11 of Commerce, as each organization provided three of its members to serve on the initial
12 festival board; and
13 WHEREAS, the initial intent of the board was to host a festival to provide an
14 opportunity for local charitable organizations to raise money for their clubs, to honor all of
15 the hardworking local strawberry farmers, and to promote the strawberry industry; and
16 WHEREAS, for over fifty years, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival has become
17 a venue for fundraising by nonprofit and charitable organizations while celebrating the rich
18 agricultural heritage and vibrant community spirit of Ponchatoula, the "Strawberry Capital
Page 1 of 3 SCR NO. 5
SLS 25RS-53 ORIGINAL
1 of the World"; and
2 WHEREAS, each year, distinguished individuals are chosen to serve as festival
3 royalty, representing the festival and its traditions with honor, pride, and enthusiasm; and
4 WHEREAS, the 2025 Louisiana Strawberry Queen LIII is Alexis Nicole Lee; she is
5 honored with this esteemed title to signify her role as an ambassador of the festival and the
6 values it upholds; and
7 WHEREAS, the 2025 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival King LIII is Michael "Darryl"
8 Poché; he was selected for his dedication to the festival, the community, and the farming
9 industry; and
10 WHEREAS, the 2025 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Blossom is Christine "Chris"
11 Threeton who exemplifies grace and community involvement and is particularly recognized
12 for her contributions and commitment to the festival and the farming industry; and
13 WHEREAS, the 2025 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal is Rhonda
14 Smith Sheridan; she is given the prestigious role of leading the festival parade, an honor
15 reserved for those who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the Ponchatoula
16 community; and
17 WHEREAS, the 2025 Festival Chairman, Tristen Miller, has provided invaluable
18 leadership and direction in ensuring the continued success of the Ponchatoula Strawberry
19 Festival, making this event a cherished tradition for locals and visitors alike; and
20 WHEREAS, the contributions of these individuals to the Ponchatoula Strawberry
21 Festival reflect their passion for preserving the culture and history of this renowned event,
22 which continues to bring joy and economic benefits to the region; and
23 WHEREAS, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival attracts both young and old to its
24 annual celebration of Ponchatoula's legendary delicacy, with food booths featuring popular
25 choices like strawberry shortcakes and deep-fried strawberries; and
26 WHEREAS, the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival has the unique status as one of the
27 only festivals at which nonprofit organizations are the only vendors on the official festival
28 grounds.
29 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
30 designate Wednesday, April 16, 2025, as Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Day at the state
Page 2 of 3 SCR NO. 5
SLS 25RS-53 ORIGINAL
1 capitol and does hereby recognize the wonderful activities of this exceptional festival and
2 its contributions to the community.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
4 chairman of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Dawn Romero Watson.
DIGEST
SCR 5 Original 2025 Regular Session Wheat
Recognizes Wednesday, April 16, 2025, as Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Day at the state
capitol.
Page 3 of 3