The People Project:
Amy Brumfield
By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | August 7, 2021
Meet Amy Brumfield!
Amy is the baby of 7 children, and was raised in Baton Rouge. They moved to Hammond when she was in high school and she attended Hammond High School. She received her degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Communications. She met her husband, Alvon, doing community theatre and together they have 3 children, Alvon aka Deuce (17), Avery (15) and Anderson (13).
We want to thank Amy for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.
Q: What led you to your current career?
A: After college, I landed a position in the Office of Student Financial Aid when TOPS began. That was an informative position where I learned many tips that helped when my son was a senior in high school! Next I worked for BellSouth Mobility which doesn't exist anymore, but I was there for 5 years. I also was a movie critic for the newspaper and was involved in community theatre at Columbia Players. Alvon came to see me in a show and we started to get to know each other. He had just moved back to start the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. I will never forget the night before we opened, assembling bleachers late into the night! We got married at the festival in 2002 and it was the best day ever. Fast forward to having our first son, Deuce, he was diagnosed with Autism, so my new focus was making sure he had all the resources available to him. I worked at a few places that really enabled us to help him succeed like Early Steps, Northshore Families Helping Families, and S.O.A.R. After that, I started working at The Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce and I still help there where I can. Now, I work with the festival full time. There is so much to plan and prepare for year-round.
Q: Tell us more about the Louisiana Renaissance Festival
A: It is a 6-week festival starting the first weekend of November. Our festival takes place on over 16 acres, and that doesn't count parking or behind the scenes. Every costume, performance, and demonstration fits within the time period. Before COVID we had around 50,000 paid attendees.
We also have student days where elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and homeschool students can participate in the festival. They come from bordering states! We are looking forward to hosting the festival again this fall!
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: That is a hard question! Let's break it down by meal. For breakfast we love Yellow Bird and I order the strawberry pancakes. For lunch we would go to Salty Joe's and I order the brisket tacos. And for dinner, I love the Nola Mia food truck! They have so many choices that I love, The Spaniard, Porky, I want to try the Boudin one! They have one of the best supreme pizzas I have ever had.
Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Every morning my dad would take me to Tony's Donuts for a twist and a chocolate milk on the way to school. It was just us.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Australia! I have always dreamed of going there.
Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you saw in a theater?
A: Love Actually is my favorite movie! It has everything- love, drama, comedy. Princess Bride is also a classic I love. First movie I remember seeing in a theater was Mr. Mom with my parents.
Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Put a mask on and stay to yourself!
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To travel more. I want to go to Scotland, Ireland and Italy!
Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: I love soundtracks, musicals, oldies like Frank Sinatra. Before kids I always had music on! I would have loved to see Elvis perform!
Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Trey Yuen. We have celebrated so many events and parties there. We had my Dad's 70th birthday party there.
Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with that you’ve never met, who is it and where would you go?
A: Sam Heughan from Outlander! I'd take him to Don's Seafood.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: Definitely Louisiana Renaissance Festival!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Traveling the United States in a RV!
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am a Boy Scouts Scoutmaster to an all female troop in Hammond. We have 12 members and the ages are 11-16 years old. All girls are welcome!
Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Family
Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A Nanny McPhee to make sure my kids did their chores and a driver! We are always trying to optimize our time and there is so much time spent in the car!
Q: Most commonly used emoji?
A: Kissing face using my Memoji!
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: Flying
Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My kids and amazing husband who is truly living his dream. Watching the festival grow and become a staple in our community.
Amy nominated Melissa Tryniecki Bordelon and Barry Chance
Who would YOU like for us to get to know?
We love meeting, knowing, and working with our community, and we love working with homes and all types of properties. Helping our community achieve their goals through buying and selling property is something we consider ourselves very fortunate to get to do. Contact one of our REALTORS® if we can help!
