Crowds expected for 5K Run/Walk, food fest

State and local runners are set for the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence’s 10th Annual 5-K Run for Excellence and Cajun Food Festival Saturday, May 8, in Houma.

The competition usually attracts about 1,000 participants from the surrounding area and beyond, but TFAE Executive Director Yolanda Trahan is expecting many more.

“This year’s race is the state championship for the Road Runners Club of America, so we’re anticipating more runners than normal,” she explained.

The race is open to everyone: walkers, race walkers, joggers, runners and wheelchair participants of all ages and abilities.

Registration for the event is $25 for adults; $15 for students ages 5 to 20; $20 for members of the Bayou Runners Association; and children age 4 and under can participate for free. The fee also includes admission to the Cajun Food Fest.

Check-in begins at 3 p.m. at Courthouse Square, and is followed by a 1-mile Kid’s Fun Fun/Walk at 5 p.m.

Then it’s time for the big kids. The 5-K Run starts at 6 p.m. following a course that begins on Main Street, winds around the downtown area and returns to the Courthouse Square.

Those with the fastest times are awarded trophies, and all race participants receive a commemorative T-shirt.

After crossing the finish line, hungry racers and race fans can jog over to the Cajun Food Fest – open from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Local band Souled Out will provide the entertainment while festival patrons sample food provided by more than 30 area vendors serving up jambalaya, shrimp, pasta, barbeque, sweets and other refreshments.

For non-racers, admission to the Cajun Food Fest is $20 for adults, $10 for students ages 13 to 20 and $5 for youngsters ages 5 to 13.

The younger set – ages 12 and under – can find plenty of fun activities at Cayenne’s Corner. It includes arts & crafts, artistic face painting, educational activities, balloon art, games, storytelling and magic.

The annual festival and race are sponsored by TFAE and Terrebonne General Medical Center. The two entities hope to emphasize the value of healthy minds and bodies via the event.

All proceeds from the 5-K Run and Cajun Food Fest go toward TFAE’s endowed fund.

Community business leaders formed the foundation 20 years ago to provide a financial boost to parish public schools. Each year, grants are provided to local teachers to improve education.

“Teachers apply for a grant to our foundation and the grants are awarded based on the academic merit of the application,” Trahan explained.

The funds, which are open to all disciplines, teachers, guidance counselors, librarians and the arts, must be used specifically to enhance classroom lesson plans, she added. In exchange, students are motivated and more interested in learning.

“Students who may not have been so interested or excited about math or science may have a light bulb go off because of something the teacher brought into the classroom as a result of these grants,” Trahan said.

“Sixty-plus corporate sponsors, more than 30 food partners, 3,000-plus participants and over 400 volunteers agree that this is an important event for our community,” she added. “With the help of our partner [TGMC], we are working toward great things for the parish.”

For more information, contact Trahan at (985) 868-5881 or visit www.tfae.org.

Crowds expected for 5K Run/Walk, food fest