NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- The New Iberia Sugar Cane Festival continues to be a major economic driver for the city, according to Mayor Pro Temp Ricky Gonsoulin.

The festival, which showcases the importance of the sugar industry to the residents of New Iberia, draws increasing attendance and interest each year.

"It's just a driving force in our community every year," said Gonsoulin. "And from the city perspective, it's a big event that will showcase our city and our town of what the sugar industry's about and how important it is to the residents."

Jeanne Chauvin, crowned as the 82nd Sugar Cane Festival Queen, noted the festival's growth and the excitement it brings every year.

"Every year. There's always something new and everything keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger." Chauvin said.

Interest in the sugar cane market is rising, especially after companies like Coca-Cola announced they are considering bringing cane sugar back to their beverages.

Gonsoulin emphasized the potential benefits of partnerships with large companies.

"All the media blitz that's going on and you know, we all partners with all of the commodities. o, you know, whenever the big guys decide to do, we're going to produce an all natural sugar product." Gonsoulin said. "And if they choose to use our product, we win, we benefit from them. But you know, on other scale, whatever they choose to do to promote their industry and to supply their consumer, we behind it 100%. But our product stands alone as all natural sugar."

The New Iberia Sugar Cane Festival not only celebrates the local sugar industry but also plays a crucial role in boosting the city's economy and attracting interest from major companies.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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