Strawberry Festival
ROYALTY
Alexis Nicole Lee
Louisiana Strawberry Queen LIII
darryl poche
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival King LIII
christine “chris” threeton
2025 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Blossom
rhonda smith sheridan
2025 Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal
2025 STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL PAGEANT
June 14, 2025, at TBD in the Ponchatoula High School Auditorium
Alexis Nicole LEE
Louisiana Strawberry Queen
It’s BERRY SWEET to be Queen!
My name is Alexis Lee, and I am the daughter of Dale & Amanda Lee of Independence, Louisiana. I graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University, where I obtained my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication with a concentration in Television and Multimedia Journalism. As Louisiana Strawberry Queen LIII, it is an incredible honor to serve as an ambassador for not only our state's prized strawberry industry but also for the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, a celebration that has touched the hearts of countless people for generations. Although I was raised, and currently reside in Independence, Louisiana, Ponchatoula holds a special place in my heart. The sense of community, pride, and passion I feel every time I step into this vibrant town is unmatched. It’s a place that thrives on unity, tradition, and love for its rich agricultural history, and I am beyond proud to be part of this festival that highlights the hard work and dedication of our local strawberry farmers.
Being the great-great-granddaughter of Sicilian strawberry farmers, my connection to this festival runs deep. Strawberries have been a part of my family's story for generations, passed down from my ancestors who brought their agricultural knowledge and passion to Louisiana. This legacy is not just a reminder of where I come from, but it’s also a driving force in my desire to keep these traditions alive for future generations. I feel a profound responsibility to honor my heritage and the strawberry industry, which has shaped the lives of so many families in our region, just as it has my own.
But this role goes beyond tradition for me—it's about sparking inspiration in the youth. I want young people to see the beauty in our agricultural roots and feel empowered to get involved. In a world that’s moving faster and faster, it’s vital that we cultivate the next generation of farmers, dreamers, and leaders who will continue to nurture our state's iconic strawberry industry. Being part of this festival, alongside a community as warm and welcoming as Ponchatoula’s, fills me with pride and a deep commitment to making sure that this precious legacy is preserved and celebrated for years to come.
The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is more than just an event, it’s a celebration of hard work, community, and the sweet success that comes from generations of passion and dedication. I am so grateful to be part of this incredible tradition and to represent the people and the culture that make this festival such a beloved and cherished celebration. I want to invite everyone, the second weekend in April, to come experience a Ponchatoula staple!
Sincerely yours,
Louisiana Strawberry Queen LIII
Alexis Nicole Lee
Darryl poche
Strawberry Festival King
Hello, I am your King Darryl Poché! I was born in Springfield, Louisiana to the late Ethel Anderson and Percy Poché. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart, Rhonda, for 41 years. We have two sons, Joshua Francis and Jonathan and daughter in law, Suzanna. We have two of the sweetest blessings from God, Cypress (aka Little Percy) who is three and Daisy (aka Hot Rod) who is six.
Although I was not born into the farming family, dating a farmer’s daughter sure made me feel like I had. For the past 41+ years, I has been in some capacity, on the farm. Winter brought frost and frost control needed warm bodies to stay up and protect the crop. If pumps went down, I was on site, tools in hand, ready to get the pumps up and running again before disaster struck. Phones would start ringing as the “old heads” would let everyone know it was time to turn on. That is when the “youngsters” would assume their positions, knocking off ice sprinkler heads, then getting ice knocked off us till the walkabout. No matter whose farm it was, if a fellow farmer was in need, we were there. Farmers helping farmers was and still is what it’s all about.
The days of old-fashioned frost control are gone now, having been replaced with Agribon blanket or Ronco Set it and Forget it. The memories of those long nights of family and conversations will last a lifetime.
My wife and I own and operate Landry-Poche Farm located in the heart of Springfield, which was established in 1926 by my wife’s great grandparents. We can be found at the farm most of the time, sharing our love for the industry with just about anyone that is willing to listen. When we aren’t at the farm, you’ll hear about us traveling the countryside visiting other farms across the US learning as much as we can about the industry. Times are always changing with new varieties and new farming ideas and techniques.
I had the pleasure of experiencing firsthand what actually goes on behind the scenes of the Strawberry Festival family by escorting my wife (Strawberry Blossom 52), to all of the meetings, functions and fun activities.
I am blessed and honored and looking forward to making tons of memories with friends, old and new, as I strive to be the “Berry Best” King I possibly can. Please join me and my fellow Royalty for the 53rd Annual Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival April 11,12 and 13, 2025 as we welcome and support fellow farmers and our strawberry community.
Darryl Poche
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival King LIII
Christine “chris” threeton
Strawberry Festival Blossom
After marrying my high school sweetheart, Lennie, in 1994, I quickly became a part of a wonderful family with a generational farm. We raised our 4 daughters on the farm: Justine Threeton Guillory 27 (husband Colby Guillory), LeAnn Threeton Gonzalez 23 (husband Johnny Gonzalez), Kacey Threeton 20 (fiancé Brandon Lewis) and the late Megan Threeton who passed in September 2016 at the age of 17.
I moved to Springfield when I was 10 and graduated from Springfield High School in 1990. While I was attending Southeastern Louisiana University, getting my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, I worked at Gendusa Insurance Agency in Hammond. After graduating in 1995 I went to work at Wright & Percy Insurance in Baton Rouge. I have continued my career at Wright & Percy, although our name has changed many times over the years & we are now Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance. I worked in the Commercial Lines Marketing Department for over 25 years and transitioned into the position of a Commercial Lines Account Executive in 2020 working in the Construction Department, where I remain today. While the insurance industry is a large part of my life, so is farming.
The Threeton family has a lifelong background in the farming industry and I was able to jump in and become a part of it. Lennie’s Great Grandfather Alonzo Threeton planted the farms very first Strawberry plant in 1926. Growing up on the farm and upon graduating Springfield High School in 1990, Lennie followed and eventually took over the farm from his Grandfather Willie "Bill" Threeton and his father Leonard "Nubby" Threeton. My in laws, Ruth and Nubby, loved the strawberry festival and presented many award winning strawberries at the annual Festival auction over the years. I have also made a hobby out of making Strawberry Jam and Strawberry Pepper Jelly each season and have even started to teach my girls and their significant others how to make it as well. Today, my daughters and I enjoy selling strawberries & jam / jelly at the festival each year. From making jam and jelly, to picking strawberries, to selling the strawberries at the festival, it is always special when family can be a part of it.
My father in law, Nubby, served as Strawberry Festival King in 1981; my husband, Lennie, followed in his father’s footsteps and served as Strawberry Festival King in 2018. I am so honored to be a part of this tradition in the Threeton family and represent the Strawberry Festival as the 2024 Strawberry Blossom. The farming industry and the Strawberry Festival are so important to my family and myself and I am excited to be a part of such a wonderful group. I am looking forward to a great year with the “berry” best people. Please join us April 11, 12, & 13, 2025 for the “berry” best weekend!
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Blossom
Chris Threeton
rhonda smith sheridan
Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal
Hello, I am your Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal, Rhonda Smith Sheridan. I am a native of Tangipahoa Parish and lifelong resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. A 1983 graduate of Ponchatoula High School, I am employed as the Executive Assistant to Mayor Wesley Daniels with the City of Ponchatoula and have been in this position since early 2008.
I also attended the Louisiana School of Court Reporting Stenographer. I was employed by Judge Bruce C. Bennett and later Thomas “Tommy” Waterman for roughly 25 years. I am a Graduate of Leadership Tangipahoa 2012. I served as the Chairman for Leadership Tangipahoa and served as Alumni Chair for five years. I have served on the Board of Directors for the Wadesboro Catholic Cemetery as Secretary-Treasurer for 17 years. I am currently serving on the Board of Directors for Westminster Place for the Elderly in Ponchatoula. In addition, I serve on the Board for the Tangipahoa Parish Economic Development Foundation and on the South Tangipahoa Parish Port Commission. I also previously served as the Fundraiser/events Chairperson for Twin Steeples, the Harry Gabriel Project.
Working for the City of Ponchatoula, I tend to do lots of Grant work for Sewer, Sidewalk, Capital Outlay and many other State & Federal Projects. This job has also allowed me to be involved in all facets of events such as Strawberry Festival and other City events held yearly. I am also Administrator of Ponchatoula’s Magistrate Court providing judicial support, leadership, planning, direction and supervision of the daily operations of Court.
My husband Mike and I have been married 37 years and have one son, Kyle, and his wife Chloe Crain Sheridan, our Granddaughter (2 ½ -year-old) Vera Jo, and Grandson (3 weeks old) Elijah “Eli” Thomas. I also enjoy working with many Boards giving my time as a volunteer ensues the desire for a better quality of life and for a thriving community in which we live.
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and time at the Camp on the Tangipahoa River. I also enjoy spending a lot of time with my parents and with her dad who is 86 and mother 84. Together, we enjoy fishing, making and running trot lines together. Mike and I are avid LSU fans and love Family time together.
Come on out and see me at the Parade and stay for a weekend full of fun!
Rhonda Smith Sheridan
Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal
Louisiana
STRAWBERRY QUEEN
Interested in becoming the next Louisiana Strawberry Queen? Before you apply, please review the Louisiana Strawberry Queen Contract below. You’ll need the following items to apply:
1) Headshot/Portrait (5x7)
2) Application Fee ($125 CASH OR MONEY ORDER)
3) valid DRIVER’S LICENSE
4) Completed Application
To apply, please email your application and headshot to strawberryfest@bellsouth.net.
All contestants must attend the mandatory meeting May 31, 2025 at TBD at Memorial Park Strawberry Building, located at 313 North 6th St. Ponchatoula, LA 70454. Please bring your photo, application fee, ID, and completed application to the mandatory meeting.
If you have any questions, please send us a message or email us directly.
CHILDREN’S PAGEANT
The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival does not host a children’s pageant - this pageant is hosted by the Louisiana Strawberry Preserve Society using our name. While we are not technically the host, the winners of this pageant will still be able to ride in our parade along with our royalty and will be introduced on stage during the Festival.
For more information on the Children’s Pageant, contact the Louisiana Strawberry Preserve Society at lastrawberrypreservesociety@gmail.com.
Past
ROYALTY
The Strawberry Festival Pageant has been a part of our history since the very first festival in 1972! Throughout the years, we’ve had some pretty special individuals representing both our community and the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival.