September
September 1, 2009Sept. 3
September 3, 2009
Morgan City is known for two things: shrimping and the oil industry. For the last 74 years, hoards of people have flocked to St. Mary Parish during Labor Day weekend to pay homage to those people and companies who have worked so hard to provide south Louisiana its economic lifeblood.
It all began over 70 years ago, when the placid port at Morgan City and Berwick received the first boatload of jumbo shrimp.
The very first celebration was held, appropriately on Labor Day, when members of the local unit of Gulf Coast Seafood Producers & Trappers Association, in recognition of the holiday, staged a friendly labor demonstration in 1936 that has come to be known as the first festival.
There were frog and alligator hunters, shrimpers, crab fishermen, dock workers and oystermen parading in the streets.
Then over 30 years later, in 1967, a marriage of shrimp and oil took place that would forever change the face of the festival.
By this time, the petroleum industry had firmly planted its roots into the area’s economy. The festival was then known by its present-day name, the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival. Despite the annexation of oil into its title, the festival was proud to be allowed to retain its distinction as the oldest festival in the state.
It’s still going strong today.
The 74th annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival, set for Thursday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 7, is sure to entertain all ages with its family fun atmosphere, according to festival director Lee Delaune.
After being labeled festival of the year in 2006, 2007 and 2009, Delaune said the festival continues to get better as organizers try to improve the experience every year. That’s the reason it’s been named the best festival in the state, he said.
“It’s the tradition that keeps everyone coming back,” Delaune said. “We have a creative, innovative board that tries to stay ahead of the game.”
Situated in Morgan City’s Historic District, the event includes food, live music, children’s activities, crafts and a number of traditional events including a variety of carnival rides and games.
The event gets under way Thursday at 5 p.m., when the Mitchell Brother Carnival opens its rides and games to the public. The traditional arts and crafts show returns on Friday at 5 p.m. The event will feature over 100 artists, crafters and food vendors and will be held under the cover of the U.S. Highway 90 bridge.
The Cajun Culinary Classic taking place at Lawrence Park showcases homemade cooking and is set for 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. All proceeds from that event will benefit local non-profit groups and civic organizations.
Children’s Day activities begin Saturday at 9 a.m., with field events and games in Lawrence Park.
Children will compete for awards and have a great time, according to Delaune. Following the field events (about 10 a.m.), professional storytellers will delight youngsters with colorful and creative storytelling.
After that, the Children’s Day Mini-Street Parade will take to the streets.
This year’s festival includes three new events, all on Saturday: a car show hosted by the festival and the Cypress Corvette Club at MD Shannon Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; a motorcycle benefit run, held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and a demonstration tent that will open at 715 Second St. from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Relay for Life.
The motorcycle benefit run begins in Berwick and travels nearly 125 miles before arriving at the finish line near the festival grounds. Proceeds will benefit Shiners Children’s Hospital.
“The motorcycle run isn’t new, we just hadn’t had one since 2003,” Delaune said. “It’s always in Berwick. They have their own food and own entertainment. They will do a parade drive-by around 3 p.m. on Saturday.”
Delaune said the children meet in front of the historic downtown post office riding on colorfully decorated bikes, wagons, carts and every imaginable riding toy. The parade winds its way through the historic district to Lawrence Park, where prizes are awarded for the best decorated floats and costumes.
At 1 p.m., the youngsters gather for the opening of the Children’s Village.
On Sunday, a Mass in the park begins at 8:30 a.m. The festival’s 2009 king and queen and the Knights of Columbus, wearing full regalia, are featured during the ceremony.
“The Mass and the blessing is the significance of the whole thing,” Delaune said. “A lot of people come back for that.”
The famed Blessing of the Fleet is held at 10 a.m. Sunday. The event includes a water parade, featuring decorated shrimp boats, pleasure boats and vessels involved with the offshore oil industry.
And at 3 p.m., the annual street parade, led by the U.S. Coast Guard Color Guard, kicks off. The parade also features festival royalty, visiting queens, local bands and civic organizations.
A gigantic fireworks display at 9 p.m. closes Sunday’s festivities. But there’s still plenty of fun to be had on Labor Day.
The festival also includes a golf tournament, 5-K run/walk, bass and horseshoe tournaments, luncheon and art show and sale.
A shuttle service, sponsored by People Haulers Inc., is available to take guests at Lake End Park and local hotels to the festival grounds. The service runs from Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Delaune said through various sponsorships, the festival is one of the region’s few that does not charge an admission price, thus making it possible for everyone to enjoy the live music and fun.
Throughout the four-day event, bands perform live. Visitors can see the likes of The Chee Weez, Johnny Firmin and American Heart, Bag of Donuts, Tommy G & Stormy Weather, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Hip Boot Joe, Waylon Thibodaux and Don Rich – as well as a number of others – play on two stages: the Petroleum Heritage Music Stage and the Fellowship of Love Gospel Stage.
“We hope to see everyone come out for what promises to be another great year,” Delaune said.
For more info, visit www.shrimp-petrofest.org online or call (985) 385-0703.
