Locals ‘Run for Excellence’

Something’s spicy at the annual TGMC 5K Run for Excellence and Cajun Food Festival in downtown Houma, and it’s not the food.

New Orleans’ ensemble Louisiana Spice is coming to town to deliver a high-energy performance that is sure to dance residents right out of their shoes and leave them salivating for more.

“We are excited to have Louisiana Spice perform for us because they have quite a reputation for giving the audience a well-rounded show,” said Yolanda Trahan, executive director for Terrebonne Foundation of Academic Excellence. The organization raises money with the event to fund school impact grants that are awarded to teachers in the parish.

Louisiana Spice’s 13 members have been together since 1996 performing all over the U.S.

Doug Mayeaux, a lead vocalist, said the group’s longevity is credit to its solid foundation: a shared love for music and entertaining.

With it’s seasoned vocals, rhythmic guitars, horns and percussions, Louisiana Spice offers a mix of music that includes Big Band Swing, Motown favorites, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and current hits. The band has performed with Neville Brothers, Chubby Checker, Cowboy Mouth and a number of other big names.

But live entertainment is only one component of the “Run for Excellence.” People gather in downtown Houma to watch their neighbors’ race to the finish line in support of a good cause.

The 3.2-mile run has lived up to its name these past seven years, and continues to excel, Trahan said.

TFAE partnered with Terrebonne General Medical Center in 2006, making the health care facility the headlining sponsor of the event.

“For years, the hospital has been a major contributor to the event, but several years ago both the foundation and the hospital administration believed that the partnership would set the pace for a healthier Terrebonne Parish,” Trahan said.

“This partnership signifies TGMC’s commitment to improving health and education in our community,” said Rhonda Alfred, TGMC’s director of public relations.

Race registration is open through race day May 10, and begins at 3 p.m. in the Courthouse Square.

The fee for racers, which includes an event T-shirt and entrance into the festival, is $25 for adults, $20 BRASS members, $15 for students (5 to 20 year olds). Children under age 4 are admitted free.

After a warm-up by TGMC’s rehabilitation department at 5:40 p.m. on the Courthouse steps, the 3.2-mile race will begin.

The kid’s one-mile race starts at 5 p.m.

Following the race, the festival gates open at 6:30 p.m., and residents can enjoy some good ol’ Cajun cuisines from the many vendors. Louisiana Spice performs from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the Courthouse Square.

Kid’s Corner is open to all children ages 12 and under. The kiddy site will feature face painting, a balloon artist, a storyteller, games and – the most sought after – prizes. Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) and Shell will have coastal exhibits and many other games for children, Trahan said.

Festival tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students (ages 13 to 20) and $5 for grade school students (ages 5 to 12 years). Children age 4 and under are admitted free.

To register, contact Trahan at (985) 868-5881 or visit the TFAE Web site at www.5krunforexcellence.org.