Natalie Sloane, the 89th Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival Queen, has penned a letter to the community as she will bid farewell during Saturday night’s Coronation and Ball at the Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Sloane reigned over the 89th festival along with King Daniel Conrad.
“They say time flies when you are having fun, but I never expected it to move this fast. I often think back to the moment I was crowned; I remember feeling overwhelmed with emotions of excitement, gratitude, pride, and a touch of nerves. Reigning as the 89th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Queen has been more than just an honor—it has been the realization of a dream that has lived in my heart since I was a little girl.
This year has been far more than wearing an intricate crown. It has been about sharing the story of our festival, its culture and rich traditions, and representing the industries that built my hometown. In doing so, I have had incredible opportunities to experience our great state of Louisiana in ways I never imagined. I picked cotton in Ville Platte, chewed on raw sugar cane in New Iberia, milked a cow in Abbeville, and went crawfishing in Breaux Bridge. I picked the sweetest citrus fruits in Plaquemines Parish, had way too many strawberries in Ponchatoula, tried my first raw oyster in Cameron Parish, shot skeet in Gueydan, and even slid down the levee in Lutcher. These are just a few experiences I will carry with me forever.
There are two moments that shine the brightest throughout my reign. The first was attending the Mystic Krewe of Louisianian’s Mardi Gras Ball in Washington, D.C., where I proudly represented the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. Walking through the ballroom dressed in full regalia representing my festival and its traditions, all while people were cheering and confetti was showering down, is a memory that still brings tears to my eyes.
The second moment was being invited by Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser to ride in the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans, as their theme was Louisiana Fairs and Festivals. Alongside some of my best friends, we made history as some of the first women to ever ride in a Krewe of Bacchus parade. Experiencing New Orleans Mardi Gras for the first time, riding through the streets, waving to thousands of people, and ending in the Convention Center dancing the night away with people I now consider family, all while representing the festival and people of my hometown, is something I will never forget.
Over the last 365 days, I have traveled to more than 50 events across our state, fallen deeper in love with Louisiana’s people and traditions, and stood proudly as your 89th Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival Queen. To my hometown, Morgan City, I cannot thank you enough for your constant support, encouragement, and love. Representing you and the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival has been the honor of a lifetime, and I truly hope I’ve made you proud.”
Forever and always,
Queen 89
Natalie Catherine Sloane