Cajun Heritage Festival Queens Proudly Promote Culture, Tradition and Community

Each year, the Cajun Heritage Festival selects young women to serve as ambassadors for the festival, promoting the rich culture, traditions, and heritage that make South Louisiana unique. Throughout the year, the queens travel to festivals and events across the state, representing the Cajun Heritage Festival and sharing the story of the art, history, and community spirit that have made the festival a beloved tradition for nearly 50 years.

Serving as the 2025 Cajun Heritage Festival Queens are Miss Queen Caroline Folse and Teen Queen Alivia Martin. Taking the crown this year are 2026 Miss Queen Brynna Theriot and 2026 Teen Queen Katie Nguyen.

For each of the queens, the opportunity to represent the festival is both an honor and a responsibility.

Alivia Martin, a recent graduate of Central Lafourche High School and incoming student at Nicholls State University, said one of her favorite parts of serving as Teen Queen has been meeting the talented carvers who dedicate countless hours to creating lifelike works of art.

“I have enjoyed meeting the carvers and seeing their passion for the art,” Martin said. “It’s amazing to see how much time and effort they put into making each piece unique.”

During her reign, Martin has traveled to other festivals, encouraged attendance at the Cajun Heritage Festival, and shared the history behind the event. She said the experience has helped her become more confident while deepening her appreciation for Louisiana’s diverse culture and traditions.

Incoming 2026 Teen Queen Katie Nguyen hopes to continue that mission while bringing a unique perspective to the role.

The 16-year-old South Lafourche High School student from Cut Off said she was inspired to become involved because of her appreciation for South Louisiana’s culture and the way the festival brings people together.

“Even though I do not come from a Cajun background, being raised in Southern Lafourche gave me a deep appreciation for the traditions, values, and way of life that make South Louisiana so special,” Nguyen said.

As an Asian American, Nguyen hopes to encourage people from all backgrounds to become involved in local festivals and celebrate Cajun heritage together.

She describes the festival as a celebration of South Louisiana culture, featuring duck carvings, duck calls, local artwork, competitions, and the traditions that represent the true Cajun way of life.

For incoming Miss Queen Brynna Theriot of Golden Meadow, Cajun heritage is deeply personal.

Theriot, a recent South Lafourche High School graduate, previously served as the 2022 Teen Miss Cajun Heritage Queen and comes from a family with a long history of duck carving.

“What inspires me most is my own family heritage, especially the long line of talented duck carvers that runs through my family,” Theriot said. “Growing up surrounded by that creativity and tradition has given me a deep appreciation for our culture and the importance of preserving it for future generations.”

Theriot recalls attending the festival with her grandfather, Jude Brunet, as a child and immediately falling in love with the artwork, history, and people. Today, she proudly shares that passion with others while encouraging them to experience the festival for themselves.

Serving as the 2025 Miss Queen, Caroline Folse has spent the past year promoting the festival while sharing her love of Louisiana history and culture.

A Nicholls State University student from Vacherie, Folse comes from a family with generations of duck carvers and is engaged to a member of another well-known carving family. She said her family’s connection to the art form inspired her involvement with the festival.

“My family has been carving ducks since my great-great-great-grandfather, so preserving this tradition is very personal to me,” Folse said.

Throughout her reign, Folse has enjoyed meeting visitors, educating them about Louisiana’s heritage, and helping preserve the traditions that connect communities to their past.

“I’ve learned just how close-knit our bayou community truly is,” she said. “I’ve seen the dedication, generosity, and passion of the volunteers, carvers, patrons, and board members who work so hard to make the festival possible each year.”

While each queen comes from a different background and has her own unique story, all four share a common goal: preserving and promoting Cajun heritage for future generations.

Whether attending festivals, meeting visitors, supporting local carvers, or educating others about the importance of preserving Louisiana’s traditions, the queens serve as ambassadors for a culture built on family, faith, community, and craftsmanship.

As the Cajun Heritage Festival prepares to celebrate its 49th year, these young women continue to ensure that the traditions of duck carving and Cajun culture remain alive and thriving for generations to come.

The annual Cajun Heritage Festival will once again celebrate one of South Louisiana's most treasured traditions as it hosts the 49th Annual Louisiana State Woodcarving Championship Competition on June 5-7, 2026, at the Larose Civic Center in Larose.

*Publisher’s note: A photo was requested from Alivia Martin, and one was not provided*