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On Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, the Louisiana Cattle Festival Association proudly welcomed a new group of royalty to reign over the 75th Louisiana Cattle Festival, scheduled for October 3-5, 2025.
The newly crowned kings and queens are tasked with promoting the Festival during their year long reign in addition to representing the Festival Association, the state’s cattle industry, and the City of Abbeville and Vermilion Parish.
The Louisiana Cattle Festival would like to congratulate the 2025 Louisiana Cattle Festival royalty, including Baby Cattle King,Ezra Soudy ; Baby Cattle Queen, Landry Barker; Petite Cattle Queen, Effie Bergeron; Deb Cattle Queen, Anna Kate Thibodeaux; Junior Cattle Queen, Lily LeBlanc ; Teen Cattle Queen, Kamille LeBlanc; Ms. Cattle Queen, Brooke LeJeune; and the 75th Louisiana Cattle Festival Queen, Isabelle Douet and Louisiana Cattle Festival King, Randall Perrin.
Isabelle Douet is the 20 year old daughter of Jeremy and Melissa Douet and a native of Lafayette. She is currently a student at LSU in Baton Rouge majoring in Animal Science and currently works as a Veterinary Technician for a local center. In her free time, Isabelle enjoys reading a good book, spending time with animals of any size, and volunteering.
When asked what the Louisiana Cattle Festival meant to her, Douet replied, "To me, the Louisiana Cattle Festival means family. We’re all part of one big herd, and from the moment I became involved, I was welcomed with open arms. Even before my time as queen, when I was volunteering, I felt like I belonged—it’s truly special to experience that sense of community during festival weekend.
Beyond the festivities, this event is a tribute to the hardworking men and women who dedicate themselves to the cattle industry, ensuring we have food on our tables, milk to drink, and leather to wear. It represents 75 years of a remarkable legacy—one that I am profoundly blessed and grateful to be part of."
Douet is excited to reign alongside her 2025 Louisiana Cattle Festival King, Randall Perrin. of Vermilion Parish. Randall Perrin’s roots in cattle ranching run deep—traced all the way back to his Acadian ancestors in Nova Scotia. Born and raised in Henry, Louisiana, Randall continues to live and work on the same land, raising cattle just as his family has done for generations. For the past 50 years, he has dedicated himself to raising registered Hereford cattle, building a legacy that now spans three generations.
Randall shared 46 wonderful years with his late wife, Nina, and together they raised three children: Jeanne, Chip, and Stephanie. Today, his children and his eight grandchildren are proudly carrying the family tradition forward, actively involved in raising and showing Hereford cattle. Randall not only supports his own grandchildren in the show ring but also gives back to the community by sponsoring local 4-H youth, allowing them to exhibit his cattle and gain valuable experience.
A respected leader in the cattle industry, Randall is currently serving his second term as President of the Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association. He remains highly active in the American Hereford Association, frequently attending national sales across the country and consigning high-quality cattle from his herd. His show cattle have seen success on the national stage, including a National Reserve Champion Senior Bull, National Reserve Champion Pen of Three Yearling Heifers, and National Reserve Champion Pen of Three Two Year Old Bred Heifers. With a broad network of fellow breeders and a lifelong passion for the industry, Randall Perrin is a cornerstone of the Hereford community—committed to excellence, tradition, and the next generation of cattlemen and women.
The Louisiana Cattle Festival Association would like to sincerely thank each contestant, family members and friends, board members and festival members, past LA Cattle Festival Queens and volunteers for the support of all contestants as well as the festival throughout the pageant weekend.
Mark your calendars to attend the 75th Louisiana Cattle Festival in the downtown streets of Abbeville on Oct. 3-5.

The Vermilion Parish Police Jury has approved Waste Connection Bayou to collect the parish’s garbage for another five years.
Waste Connections, a national company, has collected the parish’s trash for the past 10 years. The company began its service after the Police Jury discontinued its garbage collection operations a decade ago.
The Police Jury solicits new bids every 10 years, and five companies submitted proposals for the contract.
Waste Connections was not the lowest bidder, but it did score the highest in a point system, giving it the edge over other companies.
The Police Jury voted 12-0 to rehire Waste Connections. Jurors President Mark Poché and Liz Touchet were absent from the meeting.
Jamie Gilbert, the Division Market Development Manager, attended the meeting. Gilbert promises the residents will continue to see a solid effort from the company.
“We have been in the parish for the last 10 years and have experienced drivers in this parish,” said Gilbert. “We are glad to continue to be a part of this community.”
Gilbert said to look for Waste Connections to be more visible in the parish. He gave the example of supplying at least six dumpsters to certain parish festivals.
Gilbert said one example was the Shrimp Festival. The company will supply six dumpsters for free and empty them daily to prevent them from becoming smelly with shrimp.
“We are going to go dump the dumpsters so the police jury does not have to pay its employees,” he added. “We are going to do it at no charge. It is part of giving back to the community.”

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at a 1:30 p.m. Mass in St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville for Gerrilynn J. Ortego Gremillion, age 69, who passed away on May 27, 2025.
Inurnment will be held at a later date.
Reverend Manny Fernandez will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and officiate the services.
Survivors include her children, Katie Potier and her husband, Travis and Donald Gremillion II and his wife, Monica Zabicki; one grandson, James Potier; two sisters, Peggy Bordelon and her husband, Kenneth and Cheryl Gremillion and her husband Donald; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by her husband, Donald P. Gremillion, Sr.; parents, Hilton Jay Ortego Sr. and Pearl Dufor Ortego; one brother, Hilton Jay Ortego Jr.; and sister, Carol Ortego.
Gerrilynn was a proud wife, mother and grandmother who loved her family and their rescue dog, Gumbeaux. She was a hair stylist, ultimate Elvis fan, antique and jewelry collector, family event planner, and family photographer.
Gerrilynn served the Lord by serving others. As a hairstylist for over 40 years, she served countless clients in her shop and the community. She was generous with her time and talent by visiting the homes and nursing homes of loved ones and clients and caring for the sickly, elderly, bedridden, and deceased by washing and styling their hair. She never hesitated to bring someone a meal, drive them to an appointment, or offer help when she saw a need.
She loved the holidays, especially Christmas, where she gave abundant gifts to her family, especially her grandson and great-nieces and nephews. She loved taking pictures of special family milestones, moments, and holidays, as well as nature and scenery, especially swamps, flowers, and the Ozark Mountains, their favorite vacation destination. She adored New Orleans: strolling the French Quarter and dancing until the early morning. She was happiest when family and friends gathered at her home, filled with love and laughter. Her favorite pastimes were building a fire in the backyard and treasure hunts at Goodwill with her husband. She loved her daily leisurely drives with her husband and Gumbeaux to their favorite destinations, such as fishing in the swamp, Palmetto State Park and Avery Island.
Pallbearers will be Gerrilynn’s close family and friends.
A Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 1 p.m. by Deacon Timothy Marcantel in St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church prior to the Funeral Mass.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Gerrilynn J. Ortego Gremillion’s name to Miles Perret Cancer Services, 2130 Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette , LA 70508, Acadiana Animal Aid, 142 Le Medicin Rd., Carencro, LA 70520, Faith House of Acadiana, P.O. Box 93145, Lafayette, LA 70509, The Family Tree, 1602 W. Pinhook Rd. Suite 100A, Lafayette, LA 70508, or Healing House, 160 South Beadle Road, Lafayette 70508.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com
Martin & Castille - SOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, 337-984-2811.

During his 16 years serving District A on the Abbeville City Council, O’Neil “Parker” Hebert had a passion for youth sports and activities.
That culminated in his efforts to help create a park on Graceland Avenue, located in his district, which opened in 1988 and was named in his honor. On Tuesday, May 20, officials from the city and other community members gathered to cut the ribbon on improvements made at Parker Hebert Park.
“We are cutting the ribbon on park enhancements made at Parker Hebert Park,” Mayor Roslyn White said. “It’s fitting that we are here on May 20. The park’s original opening was on May 18, 1988. It just made 37 years, and we are very honored to be here.”
Among the recent upgrades is an entirely new playground equipment.
“If you didn’t know what was here before,” White said, “it was a little plastic playhouse from Walmart.”
Acadian Contractors donated the time and labor to refurbish an existing merry-go-round.
“It was made of really good material,” White said, “and we didn’t want to throw it out.”
White, who represented District A for four years before being elected mayor in ‘22, said the park has been a focus for her. She referenced improvements to the basketball goals made during her time on the council.
“This park has been at my heart since I was on the council,” White said. 
The mayor added that Tuesday’s event served as a de facto ribbon-cutting ceremony for improvements on Graceland Avenue, including the roadway and sidewalks. The city also added speed bumps on Graceland to enhance safety.
Council Tony Hardy, who has represented District A since ‘22, said he is pleased to see these improvements for the area. Hardy previously served as Abbeville’s chief of police from ‘10 to ‘18.
“As long as I have worked in Abbeville,” Hardy said, “this has been a sore spot. We’ve got it cleaned up. We hope to get the kids back in here. 
“It’s a good thing for the city.”
John Listi, an Abbeville native who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, remembers the impact Hebert made on him as a child.
“My brother and I wanted to play Biddy Basketball,” Listi said. “My dad was running the Christian Service Center, and at that time, our income was really low, with lots of mouths to feed. We were playing in the yard one day, and Mr. Parker was walking like he would normally do. He asked why we were not playing Biddy Basketball. I told him I didn’t think we could afford it. The next thing you know, we were playing Biddy Basketball. I think he waived the fee to let my brother and I play.
“It was Mr. Parker and his big, old heart that helped make sure we got to play.”
Hebert’s daughters, Christine Landry and Connie Suire, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Listi’s story matched what they saw him do for so many.
“He loved children from all walks of life,” Suire said. “He always wanted to help children.”
Hebert’s legacy continues to allow children to enjoy sports and outdoor activities.
“I know he would be happy to see that the park is still open,” Landry said. “They are keeping it up, and they keep upgrading it. He really fought hard for this park. We were born and raised about three blocks from the park. He knew, and he knew there was a need for something for the kids.
“That was his main reason for opening this park.”
White said the city plans to build on Hebert’s vision.
“We hope to continue working on the park moving forward,” White said. “It is well-utilized in an area of high need. Thank you to the council for  being supportive and putting some money back into this park.”