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Thibodeauxville and Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-off are technically separate events, but together they turn the north Lafourche city into two days of food, music and fun.
More than 200 arts and crafts vendors are expected to set up this year at Thibodeauxville, the free-admission, one-day annual festival in downtown Thibodaux.
Founded in 1992 as an effort to focus attention in the downtown area, the event features its usual entertainment options: about 75 food varieties, plus live music, children’s activities, a 5K run, a car show and the popular rubber-duck race. Twenty-one years after its creation, Thibodeauxville stands as an award-winning festival that maintains a focus downtown.
“Twenty-one years ago, a lot of businesses were leaving downtown areas and going out to the strip malls or larger shopping centers, so people quit visiting downtown,” said Kathy Benoit, president and CEO of the sponsoring Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce. “We wanted to get people reacquainted and to appreciate the historic beauty of downtown Thibodaux.”
Thibodeauxville won the Southeast Tourism Society’s “Shining Example Award” in 2011. “We were ecstatic, beyond ecstatic,” Benoit said. “I think it’s the atmosphere, the culture,” that has made the event successful.
New to the festival is a free shuttle service from the Warren Harang auditorium. Benoit said this should clear up some parking issues.
This year’s lottery-styled duck race atop Bayou Lafourche begins at 4 p.m. Attendees can purchase the rights to a numbered rubber duck for $5. The buoyant yellow toys are released in the bayou and the first few to cross the finish line win a cash prize for the person holding the corresponding ticket.
The Americanos, Coobi Joes and the Good Feelin’ Band are scheduled to perform on the festival’s three stages. One stage, located near Fourth and Maronge streets, features live Christian music and dance throughout the day.
The Americanos play from 9 a.m. to noon on the main stage, near St. Phillip and Second streets. Founding member Brent Melancon said it would be the band’s last show before a hiatus.
One day prior to Thibodeauxville, the aromas of Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-Off overtake downtown the area. Amateur chefs prepare dishes for judging at 5 p.m., and the general public is allowed entry at 6 p.m. For $5, attendees are granted endless sampling of the dishes, lumped into three categories: gumbo and soup, jambalaya and variety.
Nonc Nu and da Wild Matous provide live entertainment.
“It’s a gathering for people to come out and enjoy themselves,” said Rhonda Dempster, executive director of the organizing group, Thibodaux Main Street Inc.
Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-off opens to the public at 6 p.m., Nov. 8. Admission is $5. For more information, call (985) 413-9886.
Thibodeauxville is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Nov. 9. Admission is free. For more information, call (985) 446-1187 or visit www.thibodauxchamber.com.
Thibodeauxville, in addition to children’s activities, food, live music and arts and crafts, showcases classic cars.
