Well, here I am,

Cady Ana,

the belle of the ball…
dressed in layers of quiet beauty and mystery,
waiting to capture the heart of someone
who truly understands the magic I hold inside.
I may look like just another pelican
flying across Louisiana’s skies,
but take a closer look…
and you’ll find that I am much more than I seem.

My feathers?
They’re not just feathers…
they are the heartbeats of Acadiana…
each one holding memories
of the bayou, the people, the food, and the music
that make this place so special.

You see, I wasn’t always this majestic.
I was created with love,
crafted by the hand of my whimsical maker…

Kim Bullen.

Every part of me tells a story…

my hair is made of Southern magnolias, ACA ticket stubs,

and the steeples of St. John’s Cathedral.

My crown, a reminder of the beauty and history of this land.

My eyes?

Oh, they shimmer with the spirit of zydeco,

a rhythm that pulses through the heart

of every person in this community.

And my beak…

filled with treasures from the Gulf…

crabs, shrimp, crawdads

and the delicious flavors

of our favorite dishes…

all tucked neatly inside

like secrets waiting to be discovered.

My feet…

they’re not just feet.

They’re maps…

maps of Louisiana and Nova Scotia…

reminding me of where I’m from

and where I’m headed.

And, if you look closely enough…

you’ll see alligators lounging on my toes,

taking in the beauty of the world around them.

With every glance,

I give you something new,

something hidden deep within my plumes,

a treasure for you to find.

As I prepare for this fairytale ball,

I can’t help but feel the excitement in the air.

The festival crowds are dancing along the blue bayou…

and the Virgin Mary watches over us all

from its shimmering waters.

I am surrounded by everything

that makes Acadiana feel like home…

the fiddles, the food, the music, and the people.

I feel so alive…

so ready to share all of this with someone

who truly understands me.

I’m searching for my Prince Charming

and/or Lady Enchanting…

the one who will appreciate the magic

in my wings and the love in my heart.

I long for a new nest,

a place where I can rest

and continue to inspire all who see me,

just as the colors and textures of Acadiana

have inspired me.

I’ve spent so much time flying,

so many years discovering the hidden treasures within my feathers,

and now, I’m ready to find a place to call home…

someone who will cherish me for all I am.

So, here I stand,

the bell of the ball…

waiting for the one who will see the beauty in me…

the one who will understand

that I am not just a pelican,

but a story…

a memory…

and a piece of Acadiana’s soul.

Hope to see you at the ball.

Pelican Ball Tickets Here! 

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well. –

Psalms 139:14