The 70th Louisiana Cotton Festival held its annual Queen’s Pageant at the Northside Civic Center on Saturday, September 21. In the top left photo, Emma Rose McElwee, daughter of Archie and Melissa McElwee of Many, was crowned Queen Cotton LXX by outgoing Queen Cotton LXIX Amelia Claire Mickal as contestants Laken Hodge and Ashley Gorrell look on. Also at the pageant, Le Roi et La Reine of Heritage Manor were crowned. Clanis Freeman, 54 of Lafayette, was crowned Le Roi. He has been living at Heritage Manor for almost two years. He has two children and one grandchild. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served for four years as an E-4 Specialist in Germany. He also worked offshore after his time in the service. He enjoys being outdoors, playing bingo and community outings. Crowned La Reine was Mary “Sylvia” Veillon, 89 of Grand Prairie. She has been residing at Heritage Manor for five months. She has one child and one grandchild. She is a retired teacher who was raised on a farm with cotton and potato crops. Her hobbies include painting, gardening, needlework, religious activities, socializing and community outings. She is a member of the Catholic Daughters and the Ladies Red Hat Social Club. First runners-up were Nicholas Fontenot and Susan Graser. In the bottom left photo, Contradanse dancers, led by Robbie and Melanie Soileau, are shown as they perform a traditional Cajun dance. More scenes from the pageant will be published in the Sunday, September 29, paper. (Gazette photos Heather Bogard)