Members of the Louisiana Cotton Association have been working on the 71st annual Louisiana Cotton Festival, which will be held from Monday, October 6, through Sunday, October 12, 2025.
They are pleased to announce the royalty for the 71st Louisiana Cotton Festival.
Carissa Ann Hebert is being honored by the festival board as Colonel Cotton this year for her dedication to the festival for many years. “She is still a beloved member of our board, and we miss her dearly,” the board said in a statement on social media.
From a young age, Carissa embraced her passion for the newspaper industry, embarking on a career that would define her life. Her commitment to reporting and serving her community was evident in her roles as a reporter for many newspapers, including the Eunice News, and her positions as managing editor of the Ville Platte Gazette, the Kinder Courier, and the Oakdale Journal. She approached every story with diligence, ensuring that her readers received the highest quality papers, whether covering monthly meetings, going on ride-alongs with local law enforcement, or capturing joyous moments in the lives of the residents she served. Throughout her career, Carissa received numerous accolades for her writing, reflecting her dedication and talent.
A graduate of New Iberia Senior High, Carissa also attended LSUE, where she pursued studies in criminal justice and journalism. Her pursuit of knowledge was a reflection of her nurturing nature and her desire to assist others. Carissa’s warm smile and hearty laugh made everyone feel welcomed, and her generous spirit knew no bounds. She was particularly nurturing towards her siblings as well as her nieces and nephews, who lovingly referred to her as “Aunt KK.”
Carissa was also proud to be a long-time member of the Louisiana Cotton Festival board. Her contributions were significant, as she played a vital role in organizing the festival’s entertainment and setting up the Cotton Festival Parade, showcasing her leadership and dedication to her community.
Carissa had a passion for the game of pool. She was a member of the American Poolplayer’s Association (APA) and had the opportunity to play in the national competition in Las Vegas.
She is survived by her mother, Christine Hebert; her siblings, Wendy Fullone, Racheal Grimshaw (Art), Jeffrey Hanson (Lori), Brian Cheeks (Krystal), Anastasia Hanson, Kevin Hebert, Mordello “Marty” Hebert, Jr. (Shashoney), and Christopher Smith; sister-in-law, Glenda Hebert; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Carissa is preceded in death by her father, Mordello G. Brud Hebert, Sr.; her brother, Wendell Hebert; and grandparents, Gerald and Virginia Hebert and Margaret Hanson.
“We will forever keep her memory at the Louisiana Cotton Festival and will continue to honor her for the years to come as a beloved friend,” the board said on its social media announcement.
Mr. Darion Arvie, of the Evangeline Parish Police Jury, will serve as the Grand Parade Marshal of Grand Parade of Cotton.
Arvie was born on July 8, 1995, to parents, Shonquella Green and Kenneth Arvie, both of Ville Platte. He is the maternal grandson of Karen Poullard Green and the late Perry Green, maternal great-grandson of Indiana Wilson Green and the late Guffie Green, and the paternal grandson of Lougenia Lafleur Arvie and the late Clinton Arvie Sr. He has one older and two younger brothers and two younger sisters.
Arvie attended Ville Platte High School, where he graduated in May of 2013 with his high school diploma as well as a welding trade. Through his current employment, he was able to obtain a certification declaring him a certified welder.
During his high school senior year, Arvie obtained part-time employment with the Ville Platte Housing Authority until he graduated. He then went on to work for Robert Floyd’s Crawfish Industry in Whiteville, immediately after graduation for two years. He was later hired by Union Tank in Ville Platte as a welder and then went on to work for his current employer, Cameron International Corporation, now known as SLB, in Ville Platte, where he went from being a certified welder, to currently a Production Planner.
During the course and in addition to his dedicated work endeavors, Arvie has pursued entrepreneurship of a career for his own janitorial company. His business offers a variety of cleaning techniques such as post construction cleaning, office cleaning, pressure washing for commercial and residential construction, parking lot stripping, moving services, floor care, and many other services that are within the scope of his business and sometimes beyond.
Arvie has served on the Evangeline Chamber of Commerce board for two years where he also served as president for one year out of that term.
Arvie enjoys doing all he can to help anyone in the community and in the parish, so in 2023, he announced his candidacy for the Evangeline Parish Police Jury and became victorious in October of that same year starting a four year term in January of 2024.
He is also the father of one daughter, Chazlyn Arvie, in which he assures that he makes time for family life in addition to successfully handling his employment and business affairs.
King Cotton will be announced next week.
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