TGMC 5K Run and Cajun Food Festival a can’t miss

Whether you’re a competitive runner, a leisure walker or just someone looking to have some good, ole fashioned Louisiana fun, May 7 is a date Tri-parish natives might want to circle on their calendars.

That’s when the 11th Annual TGMC 5K Run and Cajun Food Festival takes place. It features the very best in racing, food, family fun and philanthropy, with proceeds going to the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence.

“This is our 11th year and this is an event that truly, truly has just been exciting every year,” TFAE Executive Director Yolanda Trahan said. “It’s something that we really feel like people in this area need to come out and see.”

For those interested in the 5K, this year’s event is doubly special. That’s because the race is the Regional Championship race for the Road Runners Club of America.

Louisiana falls in the Southeastern region, which means that runners from as far as Texas to the west and as far as North Carolina and Kentucky to the east will try to qualify for the National Championship races in the event.

A fun run begins at 5 p.m. with the 5K getting revved up at 6.

“We’re very excited that we were designated by the RCA as the Regional Championship site,” Trahan said. “Last year, we were the state championship site for that organization, but this year, we made it up to regionals, so that’s very exciting for us.”

The Bayou Runner’s Association conducts the race each year, which is one of the biggest cogs in the event’s success, according to Trahan, who said she’s been told to expect upwards of 1,000 runners at this year’s event.

“Having them guarantee that it’s a very professionally done race,” Trahan said. “In the world of runners, it’s everything that it could possibly be in terms of things being done professionally.”

But distance running and a race to the finish line for a spot in a national championship race is just one reason why this event is special.

Once the race is finished, visitors can test out the best in Louisiana cuisine at the Cajun Food Festival.

For a one-time fee of $20, adults will have an opportunity to feast on some of the best Cajun food this area has to offer at 41 different food booths.

“We have everything from oyster shooters to crawfish beignets to brisket,” Trahan said. “Then of course, there’s always the great grilled hamburgers and hot dogs that are always available, as well. We have gumbo and pastas of all different varieties. You can just about name anything you want and you’re going to find it.”

Once everyone has food in their bellies and a cold beverage of their choice in their hands, it’s time to hit the dance floor with local band Souled Out providing music beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“You have every opportunity to just dance the night away,” Trahan said.

All of the above are things Mom and Dad are sure to enjoy, but that doesn’t mean you need to find a babysitter – take the kids along, too.

The event features a Kid’s Corner for children 12 and under, which includes fun and educational activities for kids.

That portion of the event is sponsored by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program and is a must-see for children of all ages and genders.

“They will be telling students about our environmental issues and showing through illustrations what coastal erosion does or is doing to our community,” Trahan said. “In addition to that, we have more fun-based things like a face painter or a face artist. We have a balloon artist and games of all sorts, so that children can have fun as well.”

A child being able to attend the festival and have a good time is something important to Trahan and those who annually help the event. That’s because this event is held with the future well-being of our area’s children in mind.

Proceeds for the event go to the Terrebonne Foundation for Academic Excellence, an organization with the purpose of “rewarding grants to provide resources to teachers in the public school system.”

Since that group’s inception, they have donated more than $730,000 in grants to teachers, which has impacted more than 40,000 students.

“These grants for teachers are strictly for their classrooms,” Trahan said. “It goes directly to their classroom. From that, the money provided covers things like technology, manipulative programs for every academic discipline and every grade level from pre-K-12. … Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, so we hope they are going to be leaders right here in Terrebonne Parish.”

So what more can you ask for out of a day? A good race, good music, good food and a good cause. Sounds like a winner, right?

You won’t know until you come on out and give this event a try.

“This is a family event and we want everyone to be able to come out and have an enjoyable time, so we encourage everyone interested to do so,” Trahan said.

“You won’t regret it.”