By PAUL KEDINGER

Managing Editor

The Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture Board of Directors has announced the transfer of the Frog Festival Committee and its responsibilities to the newly formed Rayne Frog Festival Association, a non-profit separate legal entity which will oversee this and future Rayne Frog Festivals.

The new association has signed a contract with the Rayne Chamber of Commerce to fund the Chamber’s operations.

In the announcement issued last week by Miles Boudreaux, the Chamber’s executive director, he noted, “After much deliberation and discussion, the Chamber Board of Directors felt this historic action would allow the Rayne Chamber of Commerce to better serve the business community of Rayne, while allowing the Rayne Frog Festival to grow as its own entity.”

Boudreaux emphasized there will be no interruption in either Chamber or festival operations with this transition and all parties involved are excited about this new chapter in the Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture and Rayne Frog Festival history.

 The fledging association held its first meeting Thursday, July 27, to review its bylaws which were finalized on July 28,

The festival’s director Cheryl Richard was named association chairman, while Angie Broussard, the Chamber’s president, was designated as vice chairman. Debbie Foreman, a past Chamber and festival coordinator , was elected secretary-teasurer. Also serving as association directors are Nikki Link, Kevin Prejean and Stuart Broussard. The initial board, according to Richard, consists primarily of the chairmen of the festival mayor committees to ensure continuity.

Richard noted the Rayne Chamber was unique in the fact that it was responsible for one of the state’s major festivals. She said that most festival, such as the Crowley Rice Festival and Gueydan Duck Festival, are operated by similar independent associations.

Richard added attorney Jim Cunningham served as the association’s legal counsel on its creation.

For more information about the Rayne Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture, contact President Angie Broussard at 337-334-3585 or Executive Director Miles Boudreaux at 337-334-2332.  For more information about the Rayne Frog Festival, contact Cheryl Richard at 337-366-2884.