Meet 2025’s Strawberry Fest Grand Marshal!

PONCHATOULA, La. (WGNO) — A beautiful hand-painted denim jacket was made for the 2025 Strawberry Festival Grand Marshal.

She’s Rhonda Smith Sheridan, and something else that’s been added to her wardrobe is a beautiful red sash.

“As a small child, my grandfather had 40 acres … and he had berries. My mother would always preach to me to wash them, but I just love them straight off the flat or off the row,” said Sheridan.

As a lifelong resident of Ponchatoula, she’s been a fan of the berries and the festival for as long as she can remember.

“I always remember my grandmother and my aunt Ruth in the packing shed packing their berries to go to the auction with, and actually, this year, I was able to judge the strawberry auction, which was really like the icing on the cake for me. They were all so good, I wanted to eat them all. I left with a bellyache Saturday to be honest,” said Sheridan.

Working in the mayor’s office for nearly two decades, she’s all about promoting Ponchatoula.

“It’s funny, I talk to people all the time, and I’ll have someone in another state way up north, and I’ll say you know I’m from the city of Ponchatoula and we’re the strawberry capital, and they’re like we know that, we know where that is. Our farmers do so much, and people just don’t realize the berry industry and what it takes. So, my job is to promote the parade, promote the festival and represent the city, yeah! I’ve always been on the business side of it, so this year I’m getting to experience the fun of it,” said Sheridan.

A well-earned taste of royalty for Sheridan, this year’s grand marshal.

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