Shrimp & Petro fest gets a mulligan

Originally set for Aug. 28 through Sept. 1, the 73rd annual Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival found itself in an unusual spot with Hurricane Gustav bearing down on the Tri-parishes. Organizers were forced to postpone the event as locals headed for safer ground. Eleven days later, Hurricane Ike pushed flood waters ashore, creating more of a mess to deal with.

But a few hurricanes and a little water couldn’t stop Morgan City from carrying on the tradition of hosting Louisiana’s oldest chartered harvest festival.

The 73rd Louisiana Shimp and Petroleum Festival is being held through Nov. 2 in downtown Morgan City. Most of the festival’s activities are held within the downtown Historic District and are free to the general public.

Great food, continuous live free music, traditional events and children’s activities highlight the extravaganza.

Voted Festival of the Year in 2006 and 2007, the event includes food, continuous free live music, children’s activities, crafts and a number of traditional events including rides and carnival games.

Saturday, Nov. 1, is Children’s Day. Youngsters will enjoy the field and game events – three-legged races and sack races – beginning at 9 a.m. Professional storytellers will keep the young ones entertained beginning at 10 a.m., and at 11 a.m. the Children’s Day Mini-Street Parade will roll through the Historic District to Lawrence Park. Prizes will be given for the best decorated floats and costumes.

At 1 p.m., the 2007 Festival Queen and the Children’s Day King and Queen will officially open the McDermott/Teche Regional Medical Center Children’s Village.

The Cajun Culinary Classic, a showcase of local, “homemade” cooking will be held from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Local non-profit groups and civic organizations benefit from the proceeds, Delaune said.

Traditional activities include a Mass in the park, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Sunday.

At 10 a.m. Sunday, the historic Blessing of the Fleet is held. A water parade featuring decorated shrimp boats, pleasure crafts and some of the biggest muscle boats of offshore industry will participate.

At 3 p.m., the annual street parade rolls. The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office of Morgan City will lead the parade along with the Marine Force Reserve Band from New Orleans. And at 9 p.m. that night, the skies will light up with a fireworks display.

Other festivities include Fireworks on the River, an extravaganza Sunday night to close out the event.

The weekend also offers continuous live music by a host of performers.

For a complete roundup of this year’s events, visit www.shrimp-petrofest.org, or call the festival office at (985) 385-0703.