Aline Bergeron
November 11, 2015
Q&A Meet Lois Cantrelle
November 11, 2015
The City of Thibodaux is set to bring the party downtown Saturday, Nov. 14, for the 23rd annual Thibodeauxville Fall Festival, an effort to reacquaint the community with the city’s historic area.
Big Boy’s Main Street Cook-Off serves as the official kick-off to the festival, attracting thousands to the head-to-head culinary challenge on Friday, Nov. 13. Named after prominent city supporter Norm “Big Boy” Swanner, the cook-off pits 30 teams against each other in three categories – soup/gumbo, jambalaya and variety – for a chance to win it all. Under the direction of Randy Barrios, executive chef of Fremin’s Restaurant, dishes are judged by some of the top chefs of the area, including Chef Jim Sothern of Sysco Foods, Chef Randy Cheramie of the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, Chef Mark Herrington of Arkansas’ Abbe’ House Inn, Beau Bourgeois of Bourgeois Meat Market, Chef Ryan Gaudet of Spahr’s and Chef Dominique Malbrough of Cafe Dominique.
Winners are selected based on creativity, appearance of the dish and overall taste and quality. Awards are presented to the top three entries in each category, overall best dish and a new addition, the People’s Choice Award.
“This year, public entry begins at 4 p.m. The cooking will already have begun at that point and all we ask is for a $5 donation, which allows you to sample all of the food that has been cooked plus a hamburger or jambalaya from Thibodaux Main Street,” Melissa Chiasson, executive director of Thibodaux Main Street, said. Entrances to the event will be set up at St. Philip and West 3rd streets and St. Louis and West 2nd streets.
While attendees enjoy helpings of the entries, Thibodaux band None Nu and Da Wild Matous, known for their unique blend of Cajun French and English lyrics, will play from 6-11 p.m.
On the following day, Thibodeauxville opens at 8:30 a.m. with vendors lining many of the downtown streets. Attendees may peruse a wide selection of arts and crafts and try a variety of delicious Cajun cuisine. Live music will keep crowds on their feet throughout the day-long event, beginning with Treater at 11 a.m., followed by Foret tradition at 1:30 p.m. and The Groove at 4:30 p.m. Although the festival closes at dark, entertainment continues until 7:30 p.m., according to Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kathy Benoit. A Christian music stage is also part of the entertainment, with a variety of performances scheduled between 9 a.m. and approximately 5 p.m.
For the car enthusiast, some 200 antiques, motorcycles, trucks and more will take part in the Cajun Corvette Club Open Car Show, the annual show of the long-standing local Corvette club that allows anyone with impressive wheels to display their pride and joy. Registration is $40 and is held from 8-10:30 a.m. Awards are handed out at 3:30 p.m. and the top 11 receive plaques and awards. There will also be awards for the best in show and best of each car category. A portion of proceeds from this event benefits Habitat for Humanity.
And Thibodeauxville hasn’t forgotten about the little ones, either, Benoit said.
“We’re expanding our kid’s area,” she explained. “We’re going to have a few more jump houses and hopefully a maze for them to play in.”
The festival’s signature Duck Race is also sure to be a delight for young and old. Hundred of rubber ducks are sent down Bayou Lafourche and attendees can watch the race from vantage points near festival grounds at 4 p.m.
Benoit said the festival works tirelessly to ensure the experience is an enjoyable one and that starts with the parking. Parking is free and a shuttle service is also provided to and from the Warren J. Harang Municipal Auditorium to make the trip stress-free.
“I know parking is at a premium, so if people want to go over to the auditorium and park, the shuttle will run approximately every 30 minutes,” Benoit explained. “People can park there and be driven to the festival grounds.”
The City of Thibodaux is going to have a downtown party on Saturday for the 23rd annual Thibodeauxville Fall Festival. The event seeks to reaquaint the community with the city’s historic area.
