The 2011 annual Festival Ray*la*ne, again slated to be a one-day children’s event at the Rayne Civic Center on Saturday, July 16, will conclude with the senior pageants and coronation in the evening hours.

Doors for the 2011 event will open at 8:30 a.m. with clowns, games, contests and children’s pageants, as well as lots of other kid-friendly activities. A visiting grandmother deemed the event the “best kept secret in Louisiana.”

Children’s pageants include eight queen categories age 0-12 years of age to be held during the morning hours. Additionally, there will include a silent auction and flea market, craft stations, games and fun jumps, along with concessions slated to begin at 9 a.m.

Contests in “Children of All Ages” and “Royalty” categories will be held throughout the day. During the morning interactive participation with the reigning Ray*la*ne royalty, as well as other visiting queens, will include sack races, hula hoop contests, dancing, crafts, and events with no prior registration needed.

Additionally, attendees and royalty may register to enter the afternoon events to include decorated hula hoop, flip flop style show and floats for the indoor parade slated for 2:45 p.m. Floats will have two categories, “carries” and “rolled” with awards in all categories.

Concessions featuring children’s “Monkey Meals” and the famous “Ray*la*ne burgers” will also be sold throughout the day.

Doors will close following the parade to prepare for the by-invitation-only 2011 Royal Luau honoring the Ray*la*ne XIII royalty, including Queen April Nelson, Princess Sara Hollingsworth, Lady Heather Romero, Ms. Pam Hollingsworth and Deb Blair Bergeron during the afternoon hours.

Doors will open at 5 p.m. for the evening events that will include the senior pageants and coronation for the 2011-2012 Ray*la*ne royalty.

The senior pageants include Queen Ray*la*ne XIV, Princess Ray*la*ne XIV, Lady Ray*la*ne IX and Ms. Ray*la*ne II.

Request pageant entry forms, visiting royalty forms, program listings and other information from Marlene Habetz at mmhabetz@cox.net.

Rayne resident Blair Bergeron will reign over the Festival Ray*la*ne XIV Children’s Pageants. Age categories include: Infant 0-6 months; Baby 7-11 months; T’Nincy 12-23 months; Toddler 2 years; Tiny 3-4 years; Petite 5-6 years. Play wear attire required.

In the formal wear categories are: Little 7-9 years and Deb 10-12 years.