It was such a great time. To see the kids jumping up and down in excitement and the smiles on their faces was just wonderful.

Apparently this is my year to be the first. I was just shocked when they told me. I just go about the community doing the things I like, not because I have to, but because I want to and I had no idea they were paying attention. I'm just so proud to serve as the Grand Marshall. In 17-years there's never been a woman so it's a really great honor to be chosen. I just feel like what you do in the community is so important. It's kind of like the what goes around, comes around thing. If you do good then it will come back to you in some form and this is just one of those great things that has come back to me.

We had five feet of water. And now our house has a slant to it and it's not safe. So, we're going to rebuild.

We really only had three weeks after Katrina hit to get it all together. It was a hustle, and a few of those days were tough, but we pulled it off, and next year, it will be even bigger.

Also, the company Manpower will host a booth, and try to help people find jobs.

After three weeks of cleaning out the mud and muck in my house, I needed a break. I realized that if I needed a break, so did everyone else, and I worked on the house during the day and the festival at night.