Well, my friends, Labor Day weekend is right around the corner, and for me, and many in south Louisiana, Labor Day weekend means only one thing: The Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, the oldest chartered harvest festival in Louisiana. Held annually in Morgan City, down the Atchafalya in St. Mary Parish, the festival has been running for over 70 plus years and continues to be one of the biggest and best festivals that Louisiana has to offer.
It also has a special place in Cajun Daddy’s heart because it was there that I first laid eyes on my beautiful wife, Eureka (cue the flashback scene). I remember it like it was yesterday. She was standing over by the Ferris Wheel with some friends while I was waiting in line to buy some tickets. It was love at first sight. I bought her a Coke, struck up a conversation, and later that night we walked up and down the dock talking and laughing. The rest, as they say, is history my friends.
Therefore, this will be a special edition of On the Geaux, dedicated this week to the things to do and see at the 74th annual Shrimp and Petroleum festival. I hope you enjoy it, and I sincerely encourage you to go to the festival and check it out first hand. There’s so much to see and do over the span of the weekend that it would be darn near impossible not to have a good time. And you never know, you might even run into old Cajun Daddy there at the ticket line.
Lagniappe Section (About the Festival)
The Shrimp Festival was started back in the 1930’s when a group of fisherman and trappers got together to celebrate their labor. Soon, the old world tradition of blessing the shrimp boats for a good harvest was incorporated into the event. As the oil and gas industry emerged as a main part of the economy in the 1960’s, the event combined the two industries and the festival became known as the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival. The event continues to draw thousands of visitors each year, with local residents eagerly looking to show off their cooking skills and grand traditions with tourists from around the state and beyond.
Top Five Things to do this weekend at the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival:
What:74th Annual Shrimp and Petroleum Festival
Where:Front St., Morgan City, Louisiana (along the Sea Wall)
When:Beginning Thursday, September 3rd – Monday, September 7th .
Region:Cajun Country
Admission to Festival:Free
1.Arts, Crafts, Food Booths, and Rides
When:Beginning Friday, September 4 – Monday, September 7.
Note:Over a hundred vendors to browse through at the arts and crafts fair, with numerous food booths and carnival rides sprinkled throughout the grounds. You can find shrimp on a stick, a ride on a slide, and just about any hand-made craft you could think of, plus jewelry, paintings, furniture, prints, and all sorts of unique items.
2.The Blessing of the Fleet & Boat Parade
When:Sunday Morning after 8:00 a.m. mass.10:00-Noon.
Where:Along the Morgan City and Berwick Sea Wall
Note:The historic tradition of The Blessing of the Fleet can be viewed from the old Hwy. 182 bridge and is a sight not to be missed. Various shrimp boats, oil-field vessels, and pleasure crafts circle the AtchafalayaRiver along the Berwick and Morgan City bays to be blessed by a priest. The parade ends with a bow-to-bow “kiss” between two boats and a champagne toast between the current festival King and Queen.
3.Cajun Culinary Classic
When:Friday, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm; Saturday, Noon to 11:00 pm; Sunday, Noon to 11:00 pm; Monday; Noon to 9:00pm
Where: LawrencePark (Downtown)
Note:Find all kinds of Cajun delights like fried alligator, jambalaya, and, of course, all sorts of delicious shrimp cooked in a variety of ways.
4.Live Music
When:Beginning 6:00 p.m. Friday and running until 9:00 p.m. Monday.
Where:Historic LawrencePark (Downtown)
Note:Mais cher, what’s a Louisiana festival without live music? It’s a staple of Louisiana festivals. At the S&P festival you’ll get as much live music as possible, with acts playing Cajun, Swamp Pop, R&B, Zydeco, and Top 40’s. Sunday’s headliners are Hip Boot Joe and on Monday—to close out the event—everybody’s favorite Cajun musician Don Rich will perform.
5.Children’s Village
When:Beginning Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and lasting through Monday.
Where:LawrencePark, Morgan City. Dowtown area.
Note:Saturday is Children’s Day at the festival. Starting at 9:00 a.m., children compete in various games to win awards, but every child walks away with a prize. At 10:00, professional storytellers will entertain the kids with their creative stories. Afterwards, there’s even a children’s parade that winds its way through the Historic District back to LawrencePark. Then, at 1:00 on Saturday, kids gather for the opening of the Children’s Village, where they walk into a fantasy land filled with numerous, fun hands-on activities.
On the Geaux is a weekly column containing upcoming events and travel destinations in Louisiana, with a little something extra. Email items for On the Geaux to cajundaddymail@aol.com for inclusion in the column.
