By Angela Conner
The Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival delegation attended the National Outdoor Show in Dorchester County Maryland on Feb. 23-24. The representatives consisted of Board Members Angelia Conner and James Duhon, and Jill Thibodeaux. Fur Festival Royalty that traveled to Maryland were Miss Cameron Parish – Makayla Snyder, her parents Bridget and Jim Snyder, brother Logan Snyder, and her grandparents Angie and Glenn Trahan along with King Fur Howard Romero and his wife Francis, daughters April Doucet and Allison Romero. Also attending the trip were Patty Trahan, Maeleigh Conner, Harleigh Trahan, Jennah Baguex and Maci Duhon.
On Thursday night we were treated to a “Maryland” style dinner hosted by 2023 Miss Outdoors – Skye Adshead, Little Miss Outdoors – Mckenna Mowbray and Little Mister Outdoors – Juan Colin and their families. In Louisiana fashion, Makayla tried oysters on the half shell and scrapple (a Maryland delight) for the first time.
While there we toured Chesapeake Wood Facility owned by Tommy Spicer, R&M Performance where we were shown the restoration process on classic cars and muscle cars. Our next stop was touring Seed to Shuck Ventures. They are a premier partner in conservation, restoration, and aquaculture production. They are an oyster hatchery that produces larvae, seed and spat-on-shell. Their operation gave us an insight on the future of the oyster industry. We then had time for a little shopping in downtown Cambridge before heading to the pageant. That night we watched as the 2024 Miss Outdoors – Laila Insley was crowned. We look forward to Laila visiting our festival next year.
Saturday morning began with James Duhon, Miss Cameron – Makayla Snyder and Allison Romero judging the Little Miss and Mister Outdoors. They had a full pageant with Little Miss Outdoors – Rose Bloodsworth and Little Mister Outdoors – Edwin Bramble being chosen by our panel of judges. The day became busier for Makayla as she demonstrated along with Miss Outdoors – Laila in log sawing. We were then escorted off to eat lunch at Old Salty’s in Hooper Island where we all tried Snake Fish. Saturday night began with the Louisiana Shower of Beads. We left plenty of sparkle in Dorchester County!
Makayla and Laila then competed in a showdown of queens in the muskrat skinning competition. Excited to announce that the trophy came home to Louisiana with Makala winning the friendly competition! The real competition began after they finished with the raccoon skinning, trap setting, trot line setting, oyster shucking and the International World Championship Muskrat Skinning Contest.
We are blessed to have a home away from home in Dorchester County. The people share their love of sportsman’s paradise, trappers, watermen and wildlife with us and treat everyone as family. The spirit of our communities runs deep from the same traditions. If you ever get a chance to travel to the National Outdoor Show, you will fall in love with Dorchester County. Thanks to the National Outdoor Show for always treating us like family!