Taking Flight in Arnaudville

The Bold And The Beautiful Celebrities Visit For Cancer Fundraiser

By Lisa Hanchey

Sunset, La., skies lit up when stars from “The Bold and the Beautiful” flew over Acadiana in vintage planes. Cast members were in town for a meet and greet at The Little Big Cup’s Fourth Annual Fundraiser for Cancer. Restaurant owners Sanjay Marharaj and Kevin Robin had no problem convincing the actors to trek to Arnaudville for the popular event, which sold out in one day. “The response has been amazing,” Marharaj said.

The day before the fundraiser, actors Matthew Atkinson (“Thomas Forrester”), Kimberlin Brown (“Sheila Carter”), Winson Harmon (“Thorne Forrester”) and Krista Allen (“Taylor Hayes”) arrived at Red Oak Landing 51LS private airstrip and hangar, and immediately dived into action. Allen was the first to go up in a custom-painted pink and black 1942 Stearman, used to train pilots in World War II. Pilot Brother Bell expertly flew her upside down and through a loop the loop, and Allen came back exhilarated. “It was fun,” she said on landing. “It’s like being drunk without alcohol.”

This page: Winson Harmon, Kimberlin Brown, Kevin Robin, Krista Allen, Sanjay Marharaj, Matthew Atkinson. Opposite page: The Bold & Beautiful’s Kimberlin Brown gears up with Gary Elliott; Krista Allen on 1942 Stearman; Winson Harmon on Stearman aircraft (Photos courtesy of Bill Moody).

Harmon, who grew up in nearby Crowley, went up in a blue and yellow Stearman and described his flight as, “The coolest thing I’ve ever done, and I’ve done a lot in my life, but that was unbelievable! I could feel the Gs (G-force). I suggest that everybody come out and try this.”

After all cast members had a turn, they graciously posed for photos with sponsors of Rockin’ on the Runway, a fundraiser benefitting St. Mary’s Residential Training School for Special Needs Children and Young Adults. Hangar owners and fundraiser sponsors Vicki and Shannon Elliot generously provided the planes for the aerobatic feats. Marharaj hopes to continue having cast members appear for the cancer fundraiser. “When these actors go back and tell the rest of the actors on the set that they came to Louisiana and had such a good time, everyone wants to keep coming,” Marharaj shared. “The warmth and good food and just everything about Louisiana are so appealing. Everybody wants to visit. We are really honored to have them come in for this great cause and for all the people who have continued supporting us. We are happy.” R