Bring it on down to Thibodeauxville

When you first hear about the “duck race” in Thibodaux, you might have pictured real ducks racing toward an enticing breadcrumb finish line. But the ducks in this race are actually made of rubber and for the past 17 years these buoyant birds have floated down the bayou as an entertaining part of the Thibodeauxville festival.

“It’s a lot of fun,” exclaimed Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce CEO Kathy Benoit. “All 1,500 rubber duckies take a dive into the bayou at 4 o’clock and they aggressively race to the finish line. People stand on the bayouside and they scream and yell for their ducks even though they all look exactly alike.”

Sponsored this year by BP, the duck race is scheduled to start behind city hall. Tickets are $5, and if your number correlates with one of the first four fouls to cross the finish line, you win a monetary award.

Earlier in the day, another race is scheduled to take place. The Bayou Runners Association puts on a 5K Run/Walk, which starts on the corner of Jackson and West 5th streets. According to Benoit, nearly 200 people from almost every age demographic participated in last year’s 5K.

“We have all ages of people from children to 90 years old that compete in the race,” she said.

Sandwiched between the morning human race and the afternoon duck race is a whole lot of fun for the entire family.

The “Kid’s Corner” located on Green Street is the perfect place for children to play in a safe environment. The Bayou Country Children’s Museum provides hands on activities for the little ones, while the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office offers child fingerprinting. Some other features of the children’s area include face painting, sand art and a petting zoo.

Just up the road is the annual car show/competition, which continues to grow in popularity, according to Benoit.

“The Cajun Corvette Club actually organizes it and they have people who come out from all over this state with their antique cars, trucks and motorcycles,” she said. “It has gotten huge.”

The number of arts and crafts vendors has also grown over the years. What started as a meek 13-booth event, now boasts over 150 vendors selling such items as jewelry, children’s clothing, rocking chairs, toys, scented candles and so much more.

“We have tried to incorporate a variety of activities so that the entire family will enjoy coming,” said Benoit. “Like the car show usually attracts the guys, the arts and crafts attract the ladies and the food attracts everybody.”

It is no wonder the Thibodeauxville cuisine is a key component to the festival’s appeal. With 24 food booths serving a large variety of delectable fare, and not one vendor selling the same item as another, there really is something for everyone.

“We of course have the typical festival food. We have some vendors that will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs and French fries. But then we also have crawfish stuffed pistolettes. We have shrimp po-boys, jambalaya, gumbo, kettle corn, oriental food, ice cream and hot wings. We have just a tremendous variety,” explained Benoit. “We have 24 food booths and each vendor is allowed to have three food items, but nobody in the food court can have the same thing.”

Another crowd pleaser is the assortment of music that flows through the streets of downtown Thibodaux. The musical lineup is:

Stage 1: The French Bred Band from 1 to 5 p.m. with a special appearance by Santa Claus.

Stage 2: Bayouland Dixieland Jazz Band from 9 a.m. to noon; Water’s Edge from 1 to 5 p.m.

Stage 3: Moss Pickers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Lauren Delhaye from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Stage 4: Christian music and dance performed by different churches throughout the day.

This free, single day event is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 13, from 8:30 a.m. until dark. Registration for the early morning 5K starts at 7:30 a.m. For more information, call (985) 446-1187.